Photo courtesy of Buster...


http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...AF_Orion_3.jpg

Nice snap there KiwiChick, such a useful aeroplane too!

Mmmmmmmmmmm nice isn't she?! ;)

Go look at the P3 Grounded thread Kiwi Chick...........it'll break your young and tender heart :E

Oh yes, looks to be in great shape for her age, a credit to her minders..:)

Me? or the P3...?! ;)

Just read that thread Seldom.... and you're right - brought a tear to my eye... :{

Pretty?
 

I guess it's kind of attractive........But the engines are still Upside Down!!

Looking for a job hey alligator?.......

http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...0-Flight-1.jpg
http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...-flight-03.jpg
http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...els-line-1.jpg
http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...ing-871-02.jpg

Above thanks to former RAN A-4G pilot John Bartels

Wessex
 

:ok: Thankyou for the photos.

Nice TAILHOOK
 

At least the RAN flew them from a carrier, as they were designed to do.

...Cooteye are you there??

:) John
On the other hand, the C&C P3 didn't do much when the A4 pair stopped the Kim Nan (sp? its been many years!) off the Taranaki coast. A burst of 20mm "not less than" 200m in front did wonders.

edited for fat fingers

http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...-Launch-05.jpg
A-4G conducting carrier ops inside of Jervis Bay, This was usually conducted in August/September to make the most of the South westerly winds. In the background the clock tower of RAN College HMAS Cresswell.

http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...-Launch-01.jpg
Point Perpedicular in the background, the FAA bombing range, (Beecroft) is just north of the light house. A beautiful part of Australia!!!


http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...er-Land-01.jpg

VF 805 Squadron A-4G about to make the trap

http://www.gibstuff.net/a4_alley/RAN...81-Land-02.jpg

VC 724 Squadron TA-4G Skyhawk

Once again thanks to John Bartels

Fantastic pics Wessex, are there anymore??

In happier days.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ppy/A2A072.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ppy/A2A071.jpg

Taken on exercise Flying Fish, 2000.

http://http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...NowraVisit.jpg
Nowra, before the roadsign went to Ohakea

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/a...4906.sized.jpg
RAN A-4G and RNZAF A-4K's in formation.
This is the aircraft the David Baddams punched out of while flying for VF 805 squadron.

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/a...13_154909a.jpg

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/a...N13_154909.jpg

On 23/05/79, side No 888 of 805 Squadron crashed over side of HMAS MELBOURNE after arrestor wire broke/parted during landing 90Km east of Jervis Bay, NSW. LCDR K. Finan, USN, ejected and rescued unhurt,by the SAR Wessex & returned onboard HMAS Melbourne.

Actually, "Bruiser" was his elder brother's nickname (he was also an A4 pilot.

David Baddams was known as "Blemish" (as in: not as big as a bruise..)

komac2:I see what you are getting at, but our Aussie posters would understand you more easily if you speak to them in their own language, say feeesh.

Quote "On 23/05/79, Crashed over side of HMAS MELBOURNE after arrestor wire broke/parted during landing"
My uncle was an armourer on board when that happened. I remember him telling me about it, pretty much from then on I knew I wanted to fly in the mil....Never was too clever:)

Thread revival
 

I received some pictures (via my father) from an ex RAN Skyhawk pilot, Phil Thompson "Sinbad". He was flying the Vampire from Which the first photo was taken. It was taken during a mixed aircraft flyby at an airshow at Nowra in 1968.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ifFromGIFf.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ay1969FORU.jpg

An A-4 available for flight training in the US
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...wk153524-2.jpg

Cockpit of an A-4K
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ne_410_083.jpg


Any update on the A-4s? Are they ever likely to be sold or is there a chance they could be de-militarised and auctioned (I wish:8)?

brilliant trojan. Top pic is great...... RAN C-47 in the background:ok:

http://www.navy.gov.au/units/805sqn/images/805logo.jpg

http://www.skyhawk.org/2e/australia/...m-thompson.jpg

Nice aren't they? You put some brilliant photos on earlier in the thread. I would love to fly a Skyhawk. I certainly hope they end up auctioning them.:ok:

R.I.P Skyhawks
 

Ah don't get me started.

Rotors and 805 Squadron just don't mix - fixed wing for 805 or bust:ok:

If only these paper pushing polies can get their pencils out of their behinds and order 2 squadrons of F-35 STOVL's and rename the LHD's Melbourne and Sydney; bring back the RAN fixed wing I say.

But alas polies only have time for white papers and waisting 1Billion on vietnam era airframes, FOR HEAVENS SAKE THE LHD'S EVEN COME WITH A COMPLIMENTARY SKI JUMP - GET THE IDEA MR RUDD/DR NELSON/ MR FITZGIBBON?
:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:
they tried throwing sprites at 805 but true to form 805 spat them back out - only F-35 or better will do.

Bring back the RAN fixed wing I say and lets start with the F-35.:{:{

Is there a ex-RNZAF A-4 forum somewhere or alumni? I'd like to get hold of a few of the guys I flew with in Saudi.

Cheers

I think there is an A-4 (Aust/NZ) forum somewhere. If any one knows it would be Phil Thompson. I will ask and if successful I will add a link to this post.:ok:

found this on the net 888 punchout. Additional to that above of LCDR Finan USN punching out off HMAS Melbourne

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ectStillED.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...81/1359463.jpg

I have been told that this is probably the best site.
http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi#general:ok:

So the RNZAF 'Shyhawk Saga' has progressed to nil ?

I can see another New Zealand epic movie coming ... 'Lord of the Wings' were some sheep farmers from an obscure aero club in the South Island 'rescue' the captive birds (presently disguised in white as big seagulls, in one scene they throw rocks at them and are confused as to why they wont fly) and set them free to a Nirvana where they can fly for another 40 yrs (hmmm 80yr old fighters) , those guys from 'Flight of the ConChords' would be appropriate , dressed in flight gear , bone domes and classic retard one liners . I think a telepathic lamb as a side kick would be a good addition and Murray the band manager (moved from his consular cultural attache job to NZ Intelligence) as their 'man on the inside'

My view

1. We are talking about a 40 yr old fighter , they've had their day , still approriate for some military / commercial (mil-com ?) companies

2. The RAF is disposing of their Jaguars soon and they will go for peanuts , yes also old but they have had a lot of money spent on them and would be good enough for 5 to 10 yrs and then JUNK them , its a weapons system not a classic ferrari

3. The lose of a fast jet skill base is a worry , it will take years and some expensive and fatal accidents to get back to where you were as the wheel gets re-invented

When Australia finally gets some new jets some of the F-18s will head down to NZ 5 yrs from now - thats my 'likely outcome' prediction

OR

The front line fighter aircraft will be a 'flock' of unarmed CT4s with banner towing capability (with witty hard hitting slogans on the banners)

this was the latest a week or two back :

US to help NZ sell mothballed combat planes

The United States has offered to assist New Zealand to sell its mothballed combat planes, according to Defence Minister Phil Goff.

Mr Goff was updating Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee on Thursday on the progress of the sale of the Skyhawk and Aermacchi.

The Government has two separate bids for about $150 million, but the deal is awaiting clearance from the US administration.

Mr Goff says he discussed the issue with the American Deputy Secretary of Defence, Gordon England, on a visit to Washington last week.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is unlikely to end any of its overseas deployments in the near future.

Mr Goff says there is a shared commitment by the international community to be in Afghanistan for the long haul.

He says the situations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands are relatively calm and stable.

Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Quote:"When Australia finally gets some new jets some of the F-18s will head down to NZ 5 yrs from now - thats my 'likely outcome' prediction".

Total, utter, bolleaux!

when helen clark finds herself out on her arse in the coming months
then we shall hopefully see some action, what would it take for the usa to offer a squadren of spanking f/a-18f's to the new nz pm at a reduced rate,

Trojan,

Thanks I'll give the site a go:ok:

Not a hope in hell of the RNZAF ever getting back it's fast jet capability I think.......... It's not just about training, it's the support capability.

Personally I think if Uncle Helen was bit more friendly the RAF might give them some of the Tornado F3 fleet when they retire. But the reality is that NZ is more likely to be a target for ICBM than a land based conventional fixed wing threat or even a carrier based one at that.........

If I was NZ I would be buying an upgraded maritime patrol capability and anti shipping toolset - when the Chinese come and plunder the fisheries and anything else they want, NZ will be totally unable to respond or police it's own coastal waters let alone anything in the blue water sphere..........

Actually NZ needs to spend money on longer range SAR capability too.......

And Project Protector.......... don't even get me started :mad:

I think NZ has seriously been sold down the river by it's political masters and it's senior officers.....just like UK

Arc

Dons armchair Admirals hat.

Agreed, the ability for a small, isolated nation state that is surrounded by vast Ocean based resource had better have something up its sleeve to prevent the poachers from doing their thing.

The ideal world that Helen lives in is not a world that the resource hungry Chinese or 'other' inhabit.

Looks a lot like 'What to do when the Borg come a knocking?' get on your knees and pray? or just hope your neighbour has the assets and will to cover your arse.

I'm sure history is replete with this kind of story.

Longer range SAR capability ? what do you suggest the RNZAF should buy to replace the P3's Arclite01 ?

I meant long range helicopters not fixed wing assets - I think the P3 is awesome - buy more and put harpoon on them..........

Arc

Video
 

This video is hilariously appropriate:} No offence intended kiwi chick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AIppqNePdM:ok:

Uploaded for Trojan1981.... :)

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