THE A-4 ALLEY

Kiwi Skyhawk History

Photo courtesy Wayne Brown Click on the image for a full size view

31 Years of RNZAF Operations
courtesy of Don Simms 

1970-2001

New Zealand ordered 14 brand new Skyhawk's (ten A-4K and four TA-4K) in 1968 at a total cost of NZ$24 million (including the aircraft, spares, support equipment and training).  The Skyhawk replaced the Canberra medium bomber and Vampire day fighter in RNZAF front line service.  All 14 aircraft were delivered to New Zealand by the USN aircraft carrier USS Okinawa in May 1970. 

Other aircraft considered as possible Canberra/Vampire replacements at the time were the F-5 Freedom Fighter, F-4 Phantom (the RNZAF’s first choice), Mirage III (just entering Australian service), A-7 Corsair, F-104 Starfighter and the F-111 (on order for Australia).  In the end, political conservatism and cost determined that the Skyhawk was the aircraft most suitable for New Zealand’s needs.  It was not the Air Force’s first choice, but it was cheap, had good performance/payload for its size and had a proven combat record in Vietnam and the Middle East.  It was also in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).  Ten brand new (eight A-4G and two TA-4G) Skyhawk's had entered service with the RAN in 1967, with a further ten second hand ex-USN A-4F/TA-4F’s being purchased in 1971 (eight A-4F’s and two TA-4F’s).  

When the Skyhawk entered RNZAF service in May 1970, the Canberra had completed just 11 years RNZAF service and the Vampire 21 years.  Since then the Skyhawk has completed over 30 years of RNZAF service (1970-2001), proof of its sound design and ruggedness.  Click on thumbnails for a better view

In 1984 Australia sold their ten remaining A-4G/TA-4G Skyhawks (eight A-4G’s and two TA-4G’s) and all spares and support equipment to New Zealand for A$27 million.  At the time this was considered a bargain – the package was later estimated to be worth closer to A$75 million.   

In the late 1980’s all 21 RNZAF Skyhawk's were given an extensive Avionics and weapon systems update, known as Project Kahu.  The cost of the project was NZ$140 million and gave our Skyhawk's the electronic “eyes and ears” of a modern fighter aircraft such as the F-16/F-18.  Also under taken at the same time was a re-winging program to “zero life” the wings of each aircraft. 

In 31 years of service, the RNZAF has lost seven Skyhawk's in accidents, a safety record better than any other Skyhawk operator in the world (the Australian Navy lost ten Skyhawk's in just 15 years service). 

Four of the RNZAF’s Skyhawk's are genuine “Warbirds”, having flown combat missions with the USN in Vietnam between 1968 and 1970, prior to being sold to Australia in 1971 (NZ 6215, NZ 6216, NZ 6217 and NZ 6218).  NZ6218 was also the last single seat Skyhawk built for the USN in 1967 and has a chequered history, having been crashed and rebuilt twice in its life (once with the USN and once with the RNZAF).  Several of the other former USN/RAN aircraft also have a chequered past and most have been “bent” to some degree or another.  This is testimony to many years of hard service (including hundreds of carrier landings and catapult launches in USN and RAN service) and the odd mishap during their lives.

RNZAF SKYHAWK SERIAL NUMBERS AND SIGNIFICANT DATES
courtesy of Don Simms 

Notes.

*   Part of the RAN’s original A-4G/TA-4G purchase, delivered in 1967.

** Part of the RAN’s second batch, delivered in 1971.  Made up from modified, former USN A-4F’s. 

Note:     The Skyhawk “NZ 6207” displayed at the RNZAF Museum at Wigram in Christchurch New Zealand, is a modified former USN A-4L (itself a modified A-4C), BuNo 149516, and is on permanent loan from the USN (presumably until the RNZAF retires one of its own aircraft!).