Outside in the sunshine at ex RNZAF Base Wigram, Christchurch on 16 June was TA4K Skyhawk NZ6254, recently arrived from RNZAF Base Woodbourne where it, along with the rest of the retired Skyhawk fleet, have been lurking awaiting 'disposal'. As part of this 'disposal' and following the conclusion the aircraft were not going to be sold, a number of interested parties expressed interest in obtaining these aircraft for display purposes so it is apt that one has gone to the RNZAF Museum at Wigram to join another example that had been sourced direct from the USA without serving in the RNZAF.
Excerpt from http://www.adf-serials.com/
Bu157917/NZ6254. First flight from Douglas factory at Long Beach on 21 February 1970. Arrived at Auckland aboard the helicopter carrier USS Okinawa on 17 May 1970 and towed by road to Whenuapai. Test flown at Whenuapai on 20 May 1970, the first of the type to be flown in New Zealand, before being ferried to No.75 Squadron, Ohakea. To No.2 Squadron, Ohakea in 1985. Prototype Project Kahu 2 seater. Crash landed at Ohakea on 16 March 1994. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to return to Ohakea. During the landing roll the aircraft left the runway and the undercarriage collapsed. Repaired and returned to service on 01 February 1995. Flown from Ohakea to storage at Woodbourne on 19 October 2001. On arrival it had completed 6584.3 airframe hours.
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| Matt Hayes photo |
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| NZAV8 photos |
