Ex A4 jock. Nice presentation. Had me slobbering about all the upgrades. I flew the A-4B/C/E and TA-4F. 2 times in Nam. This bird was made for CAS(Marine Aviator here). IMO this was the greatest bargain (other than the Warthog) in the modern jet era for CAS. We could get down and dirty, nose to nose with the enemy in support of the ground troopers. I loved flying the super scooter. Really miss it. The TA-4F was a great trainer. And also a FAC(A) bird. There are a few flying in support roles for hostile air forces air to air training. Thanks for reviving old memories for this old Skyhawker.
GREAT VIDEO YOUNG MAN. YOU HAVE A SOLID PLATFORM ON WHICH TO TELL YOUR STORY. THE A-4 WAS VERY EASY TO MAINTAIN, VERY ROBUST, AND CHEAP. CANT BEAT'EM MATE!
Thanks Luke...nice to know the Skyhawk is now at MOTAT... I been for a ride in a Skyhawk and done Kiwiingenuity expo's be good to reinstate our Strike Wing. . 👍🇳🇿
To be fair depends where you look. The aircraft generatiy definitions vary hugely. Besides 5 years ago me probably didnt know what I was talking about.
Nice video, well presented with generally accurate info. One quibble, KAHU did not make A-4K the equivalent to an F-16 or especially an A-10. Least of all in terms of range and payload, which is everything in a combat aircraft. NZ never purchased AMRAAM and simply having APG-66 does not make an aircraft AMRAAM capable. AMRAAM requires a continuous wave illuminator which -66 lacked, but which its successor APG-68 possesses. A model F-16s require an upgrade to operate AIM-120.
Doesn't matter, we kicked F-16's, F-18's and F-5's butts in multinational exercises just with the Kahu upgrades. Ask the Australians we used to dog fight Hornets all the time. We did an air raid on a F-18 base RAAF Tindal in Australia. We sent 5 skyhawks and they put up 4 Hornets to take us on. We fought our way in and shot down all 4 Hornets without a skyhawk loss. If you need HUD footage of us killing F-16's here it is skip to 3:32 to see ACM ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mmtUbrnO3ag.html
Beautiful plane, but understandably aging. If possible, and if rejuvenated body panelling was the first option, is it then worth upgrading Skyhawks close to par of 4th gen fighters? And if so, what upgrades it deserved? Ie. HOBS IR missiles such as ASRAAM (HMD compatibility)and standoff Anti-Ship or Anti-radiation weapons compatibility?
Impressive video, you must have memorized all that to say it on the spot with no handheld script. If your interested in Skyhawks and more, come to the NZ Warbirds Association at Ardmore. If your lucky you might even get to sit in the A-4K there (depending on who's around). I'm a member and are an avid Skyhawk enthusiast. Sat in Skyhawk NZ6209 at NZ Warbirds, and did a rather cool 360 video of its cockpit you can find on my channel. I'll definitely subscribe to your channel.
Hugh W thanks. nah it's all editing magaic I can remember about 2 lines. yeah I might take you up on your offer at some point uni is keeping me busy these days
Kiwi Skyhawks getting kills on F-16's, F-18's, F-5's and a Mig-29 in multinational exercises skip to 3:32 for HUD footage ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mmtUbrnO3ag.html
The RAAF FA-18A's are flogged, they are best to be used for spares for Canada, Spain or another operator. If a NZ government ever had the balls to re-instate a strike wing for the RNZAF we should be looking at F-18 Super Hornet's (Block III's) as the Texan II's are our primary/lead in trainer. NZ is a prime example of the disaster of what happens when you end up with a left leaning, hippie loving prime minister who has never worked in the real world.
You say "The equipment hump had been removed". When the NZ airforce "purchased" the ex RAN aircraft they didn't have the equipment hump did they? Unless they were installed after the purchase?
THEY COULD AL.SO CARRY THE FRENCH EXOCET (ANTI-SHIP) MISSLE. ARGENTINA USED AN A-4 TO BRING A BRITISH FRIGATE DOWN DURING THE FALKLANDS WAR. *if memory serves me correct.
I have to wonder why they pulled it out of service as the A4 Skyhawk is a formidable little bird. With the P&W J52-P-408A engine it became a winged Ferrari.
