Kiwi A-4s to be sold

Hoges in WA wrote:
"dano" wrote in message
...
Looks like the NZ Skyhawks have been sold.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/610262


Leaving them with what?


Same as they had before -- no tactical aircraft. The A-4s have been stored
for several years.

I reckon that they are going to one of the private contractors that do
aggressor-type training these days.

--
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when
wrong to be put right." - Senator Carl Schurz, 1872

"Thomas Schoene" wrote...

I reckon that they are going to one of the private contractors that do
aggressor-type training these days.

Yep; a new one!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/sto...8%C5%28%B7%BCG

The last time their navy did war games against attacking aircraft they used
private NZ warbirds for the attackers. It seems they didn't have the planes to
do the job. I think the A-4's had been grounded by then.

Whenever the Chicoms look to go after Oz, look for them to take over the Kiwis.
Take Indonesia (guess where the Chicoms are building bases) and NZ that leaves
southern and western Oz open for support from the outside. But, there's not
that much there that can be defended from attack or barricades. The chinese
think in the long term (think decades), the west doesn't. The FB-111's that OZ
has will be gone in a few years with no real replacement. The chinese know this
and are waiting.

A light plane crashed into the sea after the pilot threatened to ram it
into
New Zealand's Sky Tower:

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...&IssueID=28182

IMHO, The New Zealanders really need to re-think the decision to go
without at
least a minimal jet fighter capability.

wrote

IMHO, The New Zealanders really need to re-think the decision to go
without at
least a minimal jet fighter capability.


Too expensive, if we were to reinstate a combat air wing the government
would have less money to spend on new welfare payments and cultural hiphop
tours. Once the last of the pilots have left it would probably be too late
anyway, a friend of mine in the RNZAF when it was announced the A4s would go
said the RAF had a rep in the officers mess within a week.

How long would it take to train a couple of dozen pilots to a high standard
starting from scratch?

The pilots? About a year from commencing OFT. That would be to a basic
standard assuming no prior fighter experience.

To regain all the expertise throughout the entire community? At least a
decade.

You can switch it off in a moment, but it takes years to turn it back on.

rob wrote:
wrote


IMHO, The New Zealanders really need to re-think the decision to go
without at
least a minimal jet fighter capability.



Too expensive, if we were to reinstate a combat air wing the government
would have less money to spend on new welfare payments and cultural hiphop
tours. Once the last of the pilots have left it would probably be too late
anyway, a friend of mine in the RNZAF when it was announced the A4s would go
said the RAF had a rep in the officers mess within a week.

How long would it take to train a couple of dozen pilots to a high standard
starting from scratch?

"Evil Roy" wrote in message
...
The pilots? About a year from commencing OFT. That would be to a basic
standard assuming no prior fighter experience.

To regain all the expertise throughout the entire community? At least a
decade.

You can switch it off in a moment, but it takes years to turn it back on.

rob wrote:
wrote


IMHO, The New Zealanders really need to re-think the decision to go
without at
least a minimal jet fighter capability.



Too expensive, if we were to reinstate a combat air wing the government
would have less money to spend on new welfare payments and cultural
hiphop
tours. Once the last of the pilots have left it would probably be too
late
anyway, a friend of mine in the RNZAF when it was announced the A4s
would go
said the RAF had a rep in the officers mess within a week.

How long would it take to train a couple of dozen pilots to a high
standard
starting from scratch?




I thought there was a fair size contingent of experienced kiwi pilots flying
with the Kangaroo Air Force?

"Diamond Jim" wrote in message
om...

I thought there was a fair size contingent of experienced kiwi pilots
flying
with the Kangaroo Air Force?



I wouldn't be surprised. This is all from my mate in the RNZAF but about a
dozen went to RAF and the same to RAAF, he also said a couple to Canada.
Thats not counting any Kiwis that decided they would rather sign on with the
Aussies in the first place.

"Evil Roy" wrote in message
...
The pilots? About a year from commencing OFT. That would be to a basic
standard assuming no prior fighter experience.

To regain all the expertise throughout the entire community? At least a
decade.

You can switch it off in a moment, but it takes years to turn it back on.

As I thought, Thanks