RNZAF A4K used to buzz us at very low levels in Waiouru, some times we were looking down on them.You got me thinking about the possibility of a NZ version of Mach Loop...I would travel there for that sort of photo op with F-15s
Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Thread starter Lucasnz
- Start date
Yep, even the rabbits used to duck for cover. They also had low flying airspace down the South Island which included both sides of the Alps. So if you had the pleasure of being at Tekapo for an EX you would also have the chance of looking down on them too. Not a tropical place in winter brrr. Waiouru would've been reasonably warmer. There's a photo on the net of one of them scooting down the side of one of the RNs Invincible Class carriers with the crew looking down on it from the flight deck.
Story of one scooting across Lake Taupo at low level and a fisherman in a small tinny jumped over the side because the A-4 was so low. That pilot got big please explain and had a new rectum torn by his CO's size 14 flying boot complete with steel caps, (CO for the use of on naughty pilots).
A contemporary of mine was tragically killed flying a low and fast attack profile in his RAN A4 in the late 70s IIRC. Ralph McMillan would be well known to Spaz, possibly a classmate and he would know the details.
I was in the back seat of one in the ranges when the pilot coming to the end of the valley pointed the nose slightly up, rolled the aircraft over on its back and pulled over the saddle upside down. Jezz the tops of the trees looked bloody close to the canopy. Went low over Taupo then down the Wanganui river. Did a lot of flights through the alps (not over) in bluntties in the early/mid 70's as I was one of the few all trades qualified and we went along to service the aircraft when landing away from Ohakea. Ejection seats become bloody uncomfortable on long flights, No padding.
One of the ex RAN A4's which was also then an ex RNZAF scooter was at Red Flag 17 as an aggressor
Still in Kiwi markings, but one of the older RAN (maintainers) guys recognised it as his old plane
Still in Kiwi markings, but one of the older RAN (maintainers) guys recognised it as his old plane
They were certainly the benchmark brawlers when low and slow.One of the ex RAN A4's which was also then an ex RNZAF scooter was at Red Flag 17 as an aggressor
Still in Kiwi markings, but one of the older RAN (maintainers) guys recognised it as his old plane
Current Edition : Air Force News Paper : Department of Defence
current issue, last page of Red Flag insert
the kiwis apparently kept the RAN rego numbers which is how he was able to ID it
No wonder the NZ Army looked down on them. Always noisily trying to interrupt your work.
They certainly used to get down amongst it didn't they. The variety of terrain and open skies around NZ will be a great attraction to the RSAF if they do come on down. Have to say though - the Manawatu climate is not quite what the typical Singaporean housewife signed up for.
Nope, we gave them our own numbers. For example RAN A-4G N13-154905, coded 884, became RNZAF A-4K NZ6213. The two digit codes on RNZAF aircraft are the last two digits of their serial numbers. He may have been able to track it down by its Bureau number or its airframe number. Details here: Welcome to ADF Serials
Novascotiaboy
Active Member
To All
I withdraw my remark regarding Alexsa and unreservedly offer apologise to him.
Respectfully
Nova
I withdraw my remark regarding Alexsa and unreservedly offer apologise to him.
Respectfully
Nova
With an accent on low. I was on 14 sqn in the early 70's when we operated Vampires and 4 Skyhawks as the advanced flying/ jet conversion/Skyhawk conversion unit, before we got the blunties. It was found that at altitude a Vampire could deal to a Skyhawk. I think, from memory that this was above 35000 ft. I think from memory that this was caused by the Skyhawk bleeding speed under 'G' far faster than a Vampire at altitude. A product of it's high wing loading.
40 deg south
Well-Known Member
Do we know that they were turned down twice at the NZ end?
It could just have easily been Singapore deciding that Ohakea was too far away/too Godforsaken etc, or that they simply didn't require another offshore training base.
It may well be that the stars align on this occasion, but I wouldn't start thinking of it as a done deal. It has the air of a negotiation unveiled a bit prematurely, and the comms teams on both sides are scrambling to keep up.
kiwipatriot69
Active Member
Well certainly the security environment has changed a lot in the South china seas in the last ten years to shape strategic thinking at their end.
And if Trumps official address and i qoute' We expect our partners in Nato, the middle east, and the pacific to take direct and meaningful roles in both strategic and military operations and pay thier way.' Well this should be one way of achieving this, though without additional annual spending how can we do more than we already are?
And if Trumps official address and i qoute' We expect our partners in Nato, the middle east, and the pacific to take direct and meaningful roles in both strategic and military operations and pay thier way.' Well this should be one way of achieving this, though without additional annual spending how can we do more than we already are?
The last part is the operative quote. Time for the pollies to wake up, get their heads out of the sand and see which way the international security wind is blowing.
My best memory was patrolling along the escarpment along SHY 1 next to the dessert and looking at the A4k skimming across zone 1 below us there is a video on you tube showing a A4 fly just above a RNZAF group that is the same escarpment we were moving along.No wonder the NZ Army looked down on them. Always noisily trying to interrupt your work.
They certainly used to get down amongst it didn't they. The variety of terrain and open skies around NZ will be a great attraction to the RSAF if they do come on down. Have to say though - the Manawatu climate is not quite what the typical Singaporean housewife signed up for.
Bulls is going to be a real eye opener for the families in winter, spring & autumn.
Dave
Noted, thank you
Cool, thanks and I totally agree with GF's reply to you.
There are no dedicated Military Flying Zones in the South Island, any tactical flying there has to work in with local traffic / ATC, apart from the area around Waiouru most of the Notam Military Flying Zones are offshore, although they are pretty big, good for extensive ACM exercises and anti-shipping profilesIn the South Island amongst real mountains. Not those hills that the Poms and Aussies think are mountains
I'm a true South Islander.
Prior to 2001 there used to be and it only takes a change in regulations to reinstitute one.