Royal New Zealand Air Force
Gary Verver
The Royal New Zealand Air Force obtained ten A-4F and four TA-4F Skyhawks from the United States in 1970. They were delivered to Auckland, NZ by the U.S.S. Okinawa for their No. 75 Squadron. The aircraft were re-designated as A- 4K and TA-4K.
An additional ten Skyhawks (eight A-4G and two TA-4G) were purchased from Australia in 1984 and equipped the RNZAF No. 2 Squadron. [Note: When converted from "G" to "K", the top of the tail was squared off during the installation of an "IFF" antenna. Plus a new radio antenna behind the cockpit, and the drag chute module is added under the tail.]
"Kahu" upgrade of 1988-91: New Zealand conducted a major Skyhawk upgrade program involving installation of "glass" cockpits, HUDs (Head Up Displays), new acquisition/tracking radars and navigation systems, removal of the avionics "hump," wing re-sparring, and up-grading of landing gear and control surfaces.
RNZAF Skyhawks continued in active service until phase-out began in 2001. Operations by Number 75 Squadron at Ohakea airfield in New Zealand ceased at the end of September 2001, and Number 2 Squadron at the Naval Air Station at Nowra in New South Wales, Australia, terminated operations at the end of January 2002.
On 31 July 2004, A-4K serial number 6205 (BuNo 157908), the last of the RNZAF Skyhawks, was flown from Ohakea air base to be placed in mothballs at Woodbourne.
Following retirement from active duty, the seventeen New Zealand Skyhawks were put up for sale, but a sale was slow in coming due mainly to political hurdles in the USA. As of JUL 2010, it appeared political hurdles have been overcome and the RNZAF Skyhawks could be purchased, and the buyer was attempting to obtain funding.
Former RNZAF Avionics Technician, Don Simms, in one of the demo birds for potential sale of the RNZAF Skyhawks.
Don Simms Pic 1
Don Simms Pic 2
23 SEP 2010: The U.S.A. buyer did not obtain funding prior to the experation of the approval (23 SEP 2010) for the sale by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosvies.
Y2011: The New Zealand government has decided to donate some A-4K Skyhawks to museums, and sell others - probable as parts. As of 07 JUL 2011; it is know that these museums will receive a Skyhawk:
Tauranga Aviation Musuem Classic Flyers
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim
Air Force Museum at Wigram, Christchurch (2 a/c) = A-4K NZ 6205 and TA-4k NZ6254 (NZ6254 1st to fly in NZ and both a/c were prototypes for the "Kahu" upgrades.)
Musuem of Transport and Technology at Auckland
Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Musuem in Nowra New South Wales Australia
Wanaka Airport, "Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow Charitable Trust" in Central Otago.
New Zealand Warbirds Association at Ardmore, south of Auckland.
Ashburton Aviation Museum.
The remaining 5 single seaters and 3 dual-seat Skyhawks were to be sold (offers due by 16 MAY 2011) on an "as is" basis, along with a large selection of parts and support equipment including twenty J-52 engines.
15 NOV 2011: New Zealand's Defence Minister has announced that a United States company, JDI Holdings, is going to buy eight Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) retired A-4K Skyhawks.
01 AUG 2012: Draken International has acquired the 9 Aemacchi MB-339's and 8 McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks from the Kiwis (New Zealand)! It expects the MB-339’s to be operational during the 4th quarter 2012 and the Skyhawks during the 1st quarter of 2013! (much sooner than most had expected!) The Association finds this news VERY exciting indeed! These A-4K’s are nicely upgraded aircraft and the Draken lineup is fast becoming an extremely impressive tactical aircraft inventory for contract work around the country. They have an immediate need for skilled A-4 maintainers...so if you know some, or are one, get a resume in ASAP! While not so immediate a need, they are also building a collection of A-4 pilot resumes. Might be worth a try for some of you younger gents out there! E-mail point of contact for A-4 maintainer employment is: J Kerby. Interested pilots may want to send pilot resumes to Draken International at 3330 Flightline Drive, Lakeland, FL 33811.
Known history:
- NZ-6201 (A-4K) [14084] BuNo.157904, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6202 (A-4K) [14085] BuNo.157905, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6203 (A-4K) [14086] BuNo.157906, crashed 20 JUN 96.
- NZ-6204 (A-4K) [14087] BuNo.157907, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6205 (A-4K) [14088] BuNo.157908, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6206 (A-4K) [14089] BuNo.157909, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6207 (A-4K) [14090] BuNo.157910, BuNo. 157910 crashed 18 OCT 74.
Note: Aircraft displayed as 6207 at RNZAF Museum at Christchurch is USN A-4L BuNo 149516 on loan (rmd srvc DEC 2001).
Display/trainer based upon repaired remains of BuNo 157910 NZ6207, which crashed in 1974. - NZ-6208 (A-4K) [14091] BuNo.157911, crashed 23 JUL 92.
- NZ-6209 (A-4K) [14092] BuNo.157912, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6210 (A-4K) [14093] BuNo.157913, crashed 24 OCT 89.
- NZ-6211 (A-4K) BuNo.154903, crashed 16 Feb 01. Former RAN A-4G "882", transferred to RNZAF JUL 1984.
- NZ-6212 (A-4K) BuNo.154904, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former RAN A-4G "883", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6213 (A-4K) BuNo.154905, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "884", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6214 (A-4K) BuNo.154908, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "887", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6215 (A-4K) BuNo.155052, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "871", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6216 (A-4K) BuNo.155061, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "875", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6217 (A-4K) BuNo.155063, rmd from srvc DEC 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "876", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6218 (A-4K) BuNo.155069, rmd from srvc (damaged) 15 AUG 01. Former RAN A-4G "877", xfd JUL 1984.
- NZ-6251 (TA-4K) [14094] BuNo.157914, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6252 (TA-4K) [14095] BuNo.157915, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6253 (TA-4K) [14096] BuNo.157916, crashed 25 MAR 81.
- NZ-6254 (TA-4K) [14097] BuNo.157917, rmd from service DEC 01.
- NZ-6255 (TA-4K) BuNo.154911, rmd from service DEC 01. Former RAN TA-4G "880", transferred JUL 1984.
- NZ-6256 (TA-4K) BuNo.154912, crashed 20 MAR 01. Former RAN TA-4G "881", transferred JUL 1984 and converted to TA-4K configuration about DEC 1986.
[Note: When converted from "G" to "K", the top of the tail is squared off during the installation of an "IFF" antenna. Plus a new radio antenna behind the cockpit, and the drag chute module is added under the tail.]
Display Image NZ-6257
NZ-6257 Image Two
(Display built from parts, side-number NZ-6257 was not assigned during air operations)
The RNZAF has on loan for their musuem, from the U.S.N., an A-4L aircraft (BuNo 149516) that is displayed as NZ6207, which was lost in a crash.
"This aircraft is on Long Term Loan from the United States Navy in an agreement arranged by McDonnell-Douglas in 1987. It had been reconfigured to A-4L specifications and came from the stock at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, and was transported to New Zealand by C-130 Hercules. Considerable work was carried out by the Museum's Technical Section to reconfigure the aircraft to early A-4K specifications as operated by the RNZAF in the early 1970s. The aircraft is displayed as NZ6207 - the original aircraft being lost after engine failure in October 1974."
RNZAF Musuem
A recent slide presentation making the rounds shows NZ6215, BuNo 155052, on the active ramp of the Netherlands "Aviodrome National Luchtvaart-Themapark". Thier website is http://www.aviodrome.nl/
We will investigate further.
RNZAF #2 Squadron RNZAF #14 Squadron RNZAF #75 Squadron
Newspaper Articles
Kiwi Aircraft Images Web Site
Photos (Many more photos in unit pages)
TA-4K: Plugged Barrel Roll.
Official RNZAF Photo.
1970 - JAN/FEB:
NZ6251, BuNo 157914, the 1st RNZAF TA-4K arrives at Cecil Field.
NZ6201, BuNo 157904, at Cecil Field.
RNZAF flight line at Cecil Field with NZ6252, BuNo 157915, in the foreground. Pic 1
Pic 2
Photos from Don Simms.
02 FEB 1970 - USA:
RNZAF pilots in front of TA-4K BuNo 157914, NZ6251 at Cecil Field. L to R: Graeme Thomson, Ken Gayfer, John Woolford, Roger Henstock, Mike Callanan, Ken Cox, Murray Abel, Ross Ewing, John Scrimshaw, Trevor Bland.
Don Simms photo.
unknown:
RNZAF TA-4K Skyhawk BuNo 157914, NZ6251, tail markings.
photo Don Simms, courtesy of Phil Thompson.
unknown:
RNZAF TA-4K Skyhawk BuNo 157914, NZ6251, cockpit markings.
photo Don Simms, courtesy of Phil Thompson.
unknown:
RNZAF TA-4K Skyhawk BuNo 157914, NZ6251, cockpit markings.
photo Don Simms, courtesy of Phil Thompson.
unknown:
RNZAF TA-4K Skyhawk BuNo 157914, NZ6251, tail markings.
photo Don Simms, courtesy of Phil Thompson.
1970:
Instrument layout in the back seat of a TA-4K.
Pat Leggitt
Date unknown:
BuNo 154911, NZ6255, parked on the ramp.
Copyright by Phillip Treweek.
Date unknown:
RNZAF A-4K shows her ordinance load.
Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver.
Date unknown:
BuNo 157904, NZ-6201, on the ramp.
From John Bartels, via Phil Thompson.
Date unknown:
Unknown A-4K tail off checks, Vanguard 86.
From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
Date unknown:
Unknown A-4K (possible BuNo 155063, NZ6217) overflying RAN DDG Destroyer during joint maritime exercises. Aircraft is armed with AGM-65G Maverick missile.
RNZAF Official Photo from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
Circa 1984:
Unknown A-4K firing two.
A-4K with rocket pods empty.
A-4K formation.
Armed with "smart" weapons.
T-Bird over Crow Valley.
Photos from Stuart Bain
Circa 1984: NZ6216
22 APR 1984:
A front underside view of a RNZAF A-4G Skyhawk as it takes off from Royal Australian Air Force Base, Darwin, Australia, during the joint Australia/New Zealand/US Exercise PITCH BLACK 84.
Elevated view of the base with F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing parked in the foreground and TA-4K, back row, far right, 157917, NZ6254 of Squadron 75, RNZAF, in the background. The aircraft are being used during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD 84.
Official Photos by MSGT David N. Craft
14 NOV 1984:
An A-4 Skyhawk aircraft passes over as a bomb explodes in the impact area during bombing practice.
1986:
Vanguard 86 preflight checks; looks like an "all hands" evolution? This may be BuNo 154904 NZ6212.
Photo from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1986:
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawk in the hangar as a maintainer repairs bird strike damage at Vanguard 86.
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawk and maintainer connecting a drop tank.
Unknown RNZAF pilot & Skyhawk suited up and ready to go.
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawk low level across the beach.
RNZAF official, via Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1986:
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawks take-off at Ohakea (the lead is an A-4G).
Glen Turner
1987:
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawk & Armourer loading 6 shot rocket pod on centre line.
Unknown RNZAF Skyhawk & first RNZAF female Armourer Tracy McLauchlan loading practice bombs.
From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1987:
Unknown A-4K dressed up as USA A-4 for movie "The Rescue".
1987:
Unknown A-4K(s) firing an AIM-9G Sidewinder missile.
Pic 1
Pic 2
From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
APR 1987:
A-4K Skyhawks, RAF VC-10 s/n ZA147, RAG Tristar ZD951 and unknown, probably Australian, FA-18 Hornets. Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4
Photos by Glen Turner, from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1988:
BuNo 154903 NZ6211 waits outside the hanger during the night shift Vanguard 88 Kuantan.
Photo from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
16 JUN 1988:
Two photos of unknown RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk after it ...... tried to takeoff with the parking brake on, got up to 80 knots. Note: RNZAF A-4 pilots usually did the 85% manual fuel check with the park brake on. They released brakes to commence T/O roll by flicking park brake switch off and going to MIL power. Incidentally there was a red BRAKE warning light on the glare shield which was on whenever the park brake was on, so he missed that in his T/O roll checks as well (one of the checks is "check all warning lights off"). ......... A lack of currency was a major contributing factor, as was the position of the sun which was directly in ... the pilots eyes.
Both wheels were locked, but only this one burst. The other one must have rotated a bit I think. He had a centre line 400gal drop tank on which would have probably been full (2600lbs). It must have had very slow acceleration which should have been a warning sign. .........
Pic 1
Pic 2
From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1992:
BuNo 154908 NZ6214 RH fwd fuselage bird strike damage.
BuNo 154908 NZ6214 bird strike damage RH intake removed.
BuNo 154908 NZ6214 bird strike damage RH intake.
RNZAF Official, from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1995:
BuNo 154904 NZ6212, 75 Sqn, Ex Gun Runner at Ohakea.
RNZAF Official, from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1995:
BuNo 154904 NZ6212 Silver Jubilee at Ohakea.
Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1995:
BuNo 154908 NZ6214 RNZAF PR photo at Ohakea.
RNZAF Official, from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1997:
BuNo 154903 NZ6211 tipped over at Woodbourne. Gust of wind - perhaps?
RNZAF Official, from Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
