R.I.P Skyhawks
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NZCH
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It is sad. They should never have been withdrawn from RNZAF service.
I was amazed how many people in the office wanted to talk to me about the two RAAF F-111's that recently spent a couple of days zipping through the Southern Alps to use their terrain following radar.
I'm no fan of the Skyhawk, but more pointy-jet noise around NZ wouldn't go amiss.
I was amazed how many people in the office wanted to talk to me about the two RAAF F-111's that recently spent a couple of days zipping through the Southern Alps to use their terrain following radar.
I'm no fan of the Skyhawk, but more pointy-jet noise around NZ wouldn't go amiss.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leeds
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Those 2 F-111s you mentioned were captured at Auckland airport by a UK aviation snapper on his hols and posted on a popular aviation website. Maybe why you were hounded so much? Maybe not.
Absolutely nothing gets past those camera chaps. They amaze me in that respect.
Absolutely nothing gets past those camera chaps. They amaze me in that respect.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Great Southern Land
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BBB Richard Hart or someone equally wealthy could offer to buy the RNZAF some Gripens or Super Hornets but Helengrad would refuse the offer.
Wasn't she one of those who objected to the A-4s being purchased in the first place decades ago? I guess the winners get to write the history .... this has nothing to do with defence of the dominion, but all about culture wars.
BTW I love your nom-de-PPRuNe .... Bring Back Buck indeed! I haven't heard that for years. No disrespect to Whetton but Buck really was class ....any man who loses a bunch of teeth and gets a ball torn loose from his scrotum and STILL PLAYS ON (!!!!!) gets my vote. I heard he's been a bit crook recently ... hope he's on the mend.
Wasn't she one of those who objected to the A-4s being purchased in the first place decades ago? I guess the winners get to write the history .... this has nothing to do with defence of the dominion, but all about culture wars.
BTW I love your nom-de-PPRuNe .... Bring Back Buck indeed! I haven't heard that for years. No disrespect to Whetton but Buck really was class ....any man who loses a bunch of teeth and gets a ball torn loose from his scrotum and STILL PLAYS ON (!!!!!) gets my vote. I heard he's been a bit crook recently ... hope he's on the mend.
Join Date: May 2001
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Little bit of thread drift here, but does anyone know what the Aussie King Air is doing in CHCH?? It's been parked on the Military/Deep Freeze ramp for weeks and does not appear to have moved.
Seems to be rather poor utilization....
It was very good to hear the chest thumping roar of an afterburner take off from a mil jet in NZ again (re: 2 x F111 in CHCH recently) . They drew reasonable crowds to the roof top observation level at the terminal for their departures and recoveries.
S2K
Seems to be rather poor utilization....
It was very good to hear the chest thumping roar of an afterburner take off from a mil jet in NZ again (re: 2 x F111 in CHCH recently) . They drew reasonable crowds to the roof top observation level at the terminal for their departures and recoveries.
S2K
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Nope he was referring to these ones they never went anywhere near Akl:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4314723a11.html
the only 2 that have buzzed akl this year were back in march on their way to the whenuapai airshow.
their have been 3 visits from 6 sqn and 1 from 1 sqn this year with c-130j/h - caribous and kingairs coming across the ditch reguarly in the last fews month to upset the farmers and locals around the southern alps areas.
although they got a better reception than 3 sqn rnzaf did in Napier in particular from the guy and his pussy:
http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/s...&thesecondsubs
I got confused... I meant Christchurch.
Are these the two in the first article you posted?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4314723a11.html
the only 2 that have buzzed akl this year were back in march on their way to the whenuapai airshow.
their have been 3 visits from 6 sqn and 1 from 1 sqn this year with c-130j/h - caribous and kingairs coming across the ditch reguarly in the last fews month to upset the farmers and locals around the southern alps areas.
although they got a better reception than 3 sqn rnzaf did in Napier in particular from the guy and his pussy:
http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/s...&thesecondsubs
I got confused... I meant Christchurch.
Are these the two in the first article you posted?
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Zealand
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So the Skyhawks will never fly again? Well all I can say is "Boo 'flipping whoo!"
How many millions did myself and other kiwi taxpayers spend on those things and what return did we ever see for our money? Helen did the right thing cancelling the F16s (or whatever they were) too.
How many millions did myself and other kiwi taxpayers spend on those things and what return did we ever see for our money? Helen did the right thing cancelling the F16s (or whatever they were) too.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
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John Hill (if you're for real and not a wind-up)
Did you ever go to an airshow where one of these puppies was flying?
The biggest orgasm of my life - that's what I got for my money.
I may have been exaggerating slightly - but only to make a point!Join Date: Jun 2004
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Fair one, I remember seeing one of the mighty K's in my younger pre RAF days in Waiberia inverted at what must have been a somewhat (with the benefit of hindsight) illegal altitude looking hard as nails thinking that totally kicks the arse out of hole dwelling... Orgasim however, despite my best efforts, was not achieved..
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Oh dear! That was like throwing crackers in the chook house!
Now folks, I have worked on the fringe of the aviation industry since 1964, in some of the very places mentioned here including Ashburton and Woodbourne but also more recently in Baghdad, Kabul and Pyongyang so I am not un-excited by the technology but I am still at a loss to explain just what good Skyhawks were ever to NZ. Except for air show of course!
Now folks, I have worked on the fringe of the aviation industry since 1964, in some of the very places mentioned here including Ashburton and Woodbourne but also more recently in Baghdad, Kabul and Pyongyang so I am not un-excited by the technology but I am still at a loss to explain just what good Skyhawks were ever to NZ. Except for air show of course!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Zealand
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A carrier eh? Dont go giving them ideas. The last time New Zealand had a real warship we did the smart thing and gave it away!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_New_Zealand_(1911)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_New_Zealand_(1911)
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Skyhawks
I did a few RF111 lone rangers to Ohakea in the 90s working with 75SQN. The lack of support the RNZAF got (is getting) was appalling to behold (the old hangars are probably still raining roofing material).
I was often left wondering whether what the RNZAF did to survive was innovative or stupid (Ground refuelling Skyhawks via the ARP with engines running was one that springs to mind).
No offence meant here, Hei konei ra 75SQN - great bunch to work with.
I was often left wondering whether what the RNZAF did to survive was innovative or stupid (Ground refuelling Skyhawks via the ARP with engines running was one that springs to mind).
No offence meant here, Hei konei ra 75SQN - great bunch to work with.