Royal New Zealand Air Force

Douglas Poster courtesy of Gary Verver



Gary Verver


The Royal New Zealand Air Force obtained ten A-4F and four TA-4F Skyhawks from the United States in 1970.  The aircraft were re-designated as A- 4K and TA-4K. An additional ten (eight A-4G and two TA-4G) were purchased from Australia in 1984.

From 1985 to 1989, New Zealand conducted a major Skyhawk upgrade program involving installation of "glass" cockpits, HUDs (Head Up Displays), new acquisition/tracking radars and navigation systems, removal of the avionics "hump," wing re-sparring, and up-grading of landing gear and control surfaces.

RNZAF Skyhawks continued in active service until phase-out began in 2001. Operations by Number 75 Squadron at Ohakea airfield in New Zealand ceased at the end of September 2001, and Number 2 Squadron at the Naval Air Station at Nowra in New South Wales, Australia, terminated operations at the end of January 2002.

Following retirement from active duty, New Zealand Skyhawks were put up for sale but, to date, the identity of a prospective buyer has not been discovered. On 31 July 2004, A-4K serial number 6205 (BuNo 157908), the last of the RNZAF Skyhawks, was flown from Ohakea air base to be placed in mothballs at Woodbourne.

Known history:
  • NZ-6201 (A-4K) [14084] BuNo.157904, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Wire strick.
  • NZ-6202 (A-4K) [14085] BuNo.157905, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6203 (A-4K) [14086] BuNo.157906, crashed 20 Jun 96.
  • NZ-6204 (A-4K) [14087] BuNo.157907, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6205 (A-4K) [14088] BuNo.157908, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6206 (A-4K) [14089] BuNo.157909, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6207 (A-4K) [14090] BuNo.157910, BuNo. 157910 crashed 18 Oct 74. Aircraft on display at Christchurch of this aircraft is really a USN A-4L Bu. 149516 on loan and withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6208 (A-4K) [14091] BuNo.157911, crashed 23 Jul 92.
  • NZ-6209 (A-4K) [14092] BuNo.157912, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
  • NZ-6210 (A-4K) [14093] BuNo.157913, crashed 24 Oct 89.
  • NZ-6211 (A-4K) BuNo.154903, crashed 16 Feb 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "882", transferred to RNZAF July 1984.
  • NZ-6212 (A-4K) BuNo.154904, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "883", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6213 (A-4K) BuNo.154905, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "884", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6214 (A-4K) BuNo.154908, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "887", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6215 (A-4K) BuNo.155052, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "871", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6216 (A-4K) BuNo.155061, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "875", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6217 (A-4K) BuNo.155063, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "876", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6218 (A-4K) BuNo.155069, withdrawn from service damaged 15 Aug 01. Former A-4G with RAN as "877", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6251 (TA-4K) [14094] BuNo.157914, withdrawn from service Dec 01.
    • NZ-6252 (TA-4K) [14095] BuNo.157915, withdrawn from service Dec 01.NZ-6253 (TA-4K) [14096] BuNo.157916, crashed 25 Mar 81.NZ-6254 (TA-4K) [14097] BuNo.157917, withdrawn from service Dec 01.NZ-6255 (TA-4K) BuNo.154911, withdrawn from service Dec 01. Former TA-4G with RAN as "880", transferred July 1984.
  • NZ-6256 (TA-4K) BuNo.154912, crashed 20 Mar 01. Former TA-4G with RAN as "881", transferred July 1984.

    • Display Image NZ-6257
    NZ-6257 Image Two
    (Display built from parts - NZ6257 was not assigned in operations)

    RNZAF #2 Squadron
    		RNZAF #14 Squadron
    		RNZAF #75 Squadron


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