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Royal New Zealand Air Force


The A4 Skyhawk has long been the premier aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Not only does New Zealand not have any fighter aircraft at all, the Skyhawk is the only ground attack plane in the force. The A4 first flew in 1954 and although it's sub-sonic, it remains a capable aircraft. You can see photos of a Skyhawk solo display, the Skyhawk team display and the Skyhawk team's special tricks.

See the P3 Orion submarine hunter, the Andover transport and some hair-raising low-level C130 Hercules maneuvers.

The New Zealand Air Force is a pipsqueak by world standards. The year 2000 was supposed see it extend its capabilities, when we anticipated delivery of a squadron of F16 Fighting Falcons. Originally intended for Pakistan, they were withdrawn from sale when Pakistan did something naughty (the details escape me). They were then offered to Indonesia, whose economic train had the misfortune to derail in 1998. Enter New Zealand, once again apparently going to pick up some classy military equipment at bargain basement prices. However, a newly elected Labour government cancelled the deal, then went further and ordered the shutdown of the two Skyhawk squadrons. As a sop to the opposition party's defense concerns, Labour then arranged for the Orions to be fitted with sidewinder missiles to give them an air-to-air attack or defense capability!

Someone needs to examine the Kiwi's water supply for traces of mercury. I refuse to believe they are this stupid naturally.

"The worst football halftime show is still better than a soccer game." - Ron "Tater Salad" White.

Either that or they have a lot of flying submarines in that part of the world.

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

Now mudd or anyother fighter pilot out there. If a P-3 shoots you down with sidewinder during excercises can you show your face back at base?

This is probably a good thing. Maybe the New Zealand babies don't need to be playing with loaded weapons anyway.

THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

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