I watched another RNZAF Skyhawk wheels-up landing at Townsville somewhere between '84-'86 - literally wheels-up. The Skyhawk tried to land on a very wet runway without a drag chute and flipped over. I was up on the wing of a Caribou refuelling it at the time on the 35 Sqn flight line.
I believe that was an Ex RAN bird because they didn't have the drag chute fitted initially (don't need them on a carrier). I think the pilot was considering ejecting but once it was upside down that wouldn't have had a good outcome. But it can't have been nice sitting upside down trapped in the cockpit hoping it didn't go up in flames.
With a Scooter and "double bubbles" two 300 gallon drop tanks this is not as difficult as you may believe. A pilot in VC-13 landed an A-4, wheels up with just a centerline 150 gallon tank. Only the tank and one wingtip was damaged.
No doubt about it the New Zealand military are true professionals what ever branch they serve in. I still miss the sound of a jet fighter training over the forest while putting hay in the shed
Thanks for video. It's a shame NZ has no capacity to project an air defence role now that their Skyhawks are toast. Pacifists are always hostage to fortune. In refusing to outlay a modest amount for fifty F16s, NZ is counting on Australia to fill this role.
My friend we count on nobody!!! You have an air force we don't... You have more money we don't!!! You have near 30 million people, we only have 5 million... Smaller economy equals smaller defence budget, that being said and with the ever increasing prices of more modern and able fighter aircraft. All of that would have been a huge financial struggle just to keep them armed and airborne... Phasing them out had to happen, that F-16 deal the Americans offered was a good deal, but in the long-run and over time the F-16s would most likely have blown the budget for entire NZDF.... It was a very BAD BAD decision making all a try round...
So we could afford combat aircraft in WW2 with just under 2 million people! And no lend lease wasn't a gift. Or a 1 way street! It was a mutual supply arrangement between allies. It worked both ways!! At the end of the war each country totted up the accounts between them, and paid the agreed balance. NZ actually came out in the black! Primarily because there was a big wartime demand for our wool and food production!! Largely to the UK, and particularly to the US in the Pacific! Anyway to continue....Post war, we could afford a jet combat force from the 1950s right up to 2001!! And then all of a sudden we couldn't!!? Mmm... Not buying that! First, we were never expected to operate as many aircraft as our larger allies!! Its a proportionate situation. We didnt have to take the full 28 F16s on offer! Anything between 14 to 18 would have been fine for us! With the appropriate mix of single and 2 seat variants! Does Australia operate as many combat aircraft as the US!? Of course not!! But in relative terms. It still maintains a jet combat force!! And of course the F16s would have required maintenance and upgrades over the years! If you want an Airforce that comes with the deal! And applies to all aircraft you have! Secondly there are a number of countries simaler in size to us who still maintain jet combat capabilities!! Funny that! They can!! - We can't!! Mmm....Again not buying that! Relative to its size, NZ is not a poor country!! Nor is it short of resources!! In fact NZs national debt as a % of our gdp is still one of the lowest out there! And lower than Australias. Its not that we can't afford - again in relative terms, an air combat wing! Its that! - It isn't considered a high priority to do so!! You can argue the toss on that! But thats what it comes down to!! Speaking generally, nations are like people. If you think you can't! You won't! If you think you can! You will!!
Flawlessly done
Awesome I had not seen any of these video before, Don great work mate
I watched another RNZAF Skyhawk wheels-up landing at Townsville somewhere between '84-'86 - literally wheels-up. The Skyhawk tried to land on a very wet runway without a drag chute and flipped over. I was up on the wing of a Caribou refuelling it at the time on the 35 Sqn flight line.
I believe that was an Ex RAN bird because they didn't have the drag chute fitted initially (don't need them on a carrier). I think the pilot was considering ejecting but once it was upside down that wouldn't have had a good outcome. But it can't have been nice sitting upside down trapped in the cockpit hoping it didn't go up in flames.
Man I miss seeing the frightening jets fly around the Manawatu.
Cool vid.. Thanks 👍🇳🇿
Legend pilot! that would be terrifying
With a Scooter and "double bubbles" two 300 gallon drop tanks this is not as difficult as you may believe. A pilot in VC-13 landed an A-4, wheels up with just a centerline 150 gallon tank. Only the tank and one wingtip was damaged.
You think they would have ditched the tanks before landing
Jessh I didnt know that happened!! Thanks!!
No doubt about it the New Zealand military are true professionals what ever branch they serve in. I still miss the sound of a jet fighter training over the forest while putting hay in the shed
Thanks for video. It's a shame NZ has no capacity to project an air defence role now that their Skyhawks are toast. Pacifists are always hostage to fortune. In refusing to outlay a modest amount for fifty F16s, NZ is counting on Australia to fill this role.
don't ever let the truth get in the way of a good story - try not quite half of the number you stated of F-16s that we almost got...28 for the record.
My friend we count on nobody!!! You have an air force we don't... You have more money we don't!!! You have near 30 million people, we only have 5 million... Smaller economy equals smaller defence budget, that being said and with the ever increasing prices of more modern and able fighter aircraft. All of that would have been a huge financial struggle just to keep them armed and airborne... Phasing them out had to happen, that F-16 deal the Americans offered was a good deal, but in the long-run and over time the F-16s would most likely have blown the budget for entire NZDF.... It was a very BAD BAD decision making all a try round...
Waste of money. Nobody is going to invade NZ.
So we could afford combat aircraft in WW2 with just under 2 million people! And no lend lease wasn't a gift. Or a 1 way street! It was a mutual supply arrangement between allies. It worked both ways!! At the end of the war each country totted up the accounts between them, and paid the agreed balance. NZ actually came out in the black! Primarily because there was a big wartime demand for our wool and food production!! Largely to the UK, and particularly to the US in the Pacific! Anyway to continue....Post war, we could afford a jet combat force from the 1950s right up to 2001!! And then all of a sudden we couldn't!!? Mmm... Not buying that! First, we were never expected to operate as many aircraft as our larger allies!! Its a proportionate situation. We didnt have to take the full 28 F16s on offer! Anything between 14 to 18 would have been fine for us! With the appropriate mix of single and 2 seat variants! Does Australia operate as many combat aircraft as the US!? Of course not!! But in relative terms. It still maintains a jet combat force!! And of course the F16s would have required maintenance and upgrades over the years! If you want an Airforce that comes with the deal! And applies to all aircraft you have! Secondly there are a number of countries simaler in size to us who still maintain jet combat capabilities!! Funny that! They can!! - We can't!! Mmm....Again not buying that! Relative to its size, NZ is not a poor country!! Nor is it short of resources!! In fact NZs national debt as a % of our gdp is still one of the lowest out there! And lower than Australias. Its not that we can't afford - again in relative terms, an air combat wing! Its that! - It isn't considered a high priority to do so!! You can argue the toss on that! But thats what it comes down to!! Speaking generally, nations are like people. If you think you can't! You won't! If you think you can! You will!!
@@davidtaylor351 nope waste of bloody money now...
Wheels up landing or no wheels landing due landing short of the runway on first approach?
The ole unipower was a bit late to the party...