Anyone want a new toy?

radar · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject: Anyone want a new toy?

The New Zealand Govt has finally deceided to sell its mothballed A4 Shyhawks which were put into storage in 1990s by a left wind Govt. Theyre up for tender: 8 air frames plus about 20 engines etc.
I wish they were still flying, they were / are a great bit of air to ground kit but now really for those who are enthusiests or wannabe throttle jockies?

I wasn't sure weather to put this into the jokes dept.

Radar

Vince · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

I agree wholeheartedly Radar. I remember way back in my early days in the Army, we would regularly see the NZ Skyhawks buzzing around playing "enemy air" for us...those pilots were fearless, and with some of the things they used to do with those aircraft they must have had HUGE cojones as well.

Its a shame they have decided to get rid of them, but with some luck they will be snapped up by enthusiasts that will make sure that they are seen in the air again.

Cheers, Vince

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:01 am Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

If I remember correctly a US company was looking to buy those and restore them for use in air combat training on a contract basis with the US military.

radar · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

Yeah they did but our Govt at the time was too greedy and wouldn't budge on price, costs NZ 34 Million a year to store them WTF.
I remember as a teenager hiking in the Ruahines seeing Skyhawks chasing each other down in the valleys below the ridgelines we were using, awesome stuff.
Sometimes being small has its advantages

slimjim · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

The wings of an A4 are the same size as the tails on an F14. It will be interesting to see where these end up. These were fun to fly. A jet you basically strapped on your back. It roll is not matched by modern fighters. Later ones had 1:1 thrust without afterburner. Keep us posted if you can.

Vince · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

Slim...I can hear your mind ticking over all the way out here in Aussie mate. Ya can't buy one mate...they are not the ideal aircraft to get ya to ya hunting site. Also, ya can't strap a deer to a wing or the undercarriage.

Damned if they wouldn't be a whole lot of fun though.

Cheers, Vince

slimjim · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

Vince wrote:

ya can't strap a deer to a wing or the undercarriage.

You would be surprised at what you can bring back in the travel pods! They are basically 300 gal wing tanks (2000 pounds) that we would fabricate access doors onto. Every time we would fly from the Phillipines to Korea, we would fill up on hundreds of shoes and bags for the squadron mates. Once, we flew from CA to Alaska and brought back hundreds of pounds of fresh whole salmon. Ate like kings for a week (no pune intended). When you have to get flight hours for proficency, you might as well go someplace worth while.

stovepipe · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

Somehow I don't see the word "can't" keepin' slim from gettin' his buck home.

I can just see it now....nice rack strapped on the nose. Big ol' grin behind the mask, afterburner kicked in.

English Mike · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone want a new toy?

Vince wrote:

I agree wholeheartedly Radar. I remember way back in my early days in the Army, we would regularly see the NZ Sopwith Camels buzzing around playing "enemy air" for us...
Cheers, Vince

Edited for age related truth. Laughing