Media Release
23 May, 2011

Skyhawk Prepares for Trip South

The first of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s former Skyhawk fleet is currently being disassembled at Woodbourne, near Blenheim, as part of the Government’s decision early last month to place some of the aircraft in museums around New Zealand.

NZ6254, a two-seat TA-4K Skyhawk, has had its protective coating removed and will shortly be dismantled into its major components ready for movement by Defence Force transport to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram, Christchurch, the birthplace of New Zealand military aviation.

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The aircraft will travel via the Lewis Pass to its new home; this is the second time the aircraft has travelled by road since arriving in Auckland in May 1970.

The project manager responsible for overseeing the disposal of the fleet said he expected the disassembly and preparation for movement to take at least a week. Some delays were inevitable as it has been over ten years since an airworthy Skyhawk has had its large wing removed, which is a tricky process even with experienced staff and the right equipment. The aircraft is being disassembled by the Air Combat Force Disposal Unit comprising military and civilian staff with Skyhawk experience.

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The Museum was very keen to acquire NZ6254 as it was the first Skyhawk to fly in New Zealand following delivery in May 1970 aboard the USS Okinawa. It was also one of two Skyhawks to undertake test-firing of the Maverick air-to-surface missile in 1989, the other aircraft being NZ6205, a single-seat model, which has also been allocated to the Museum. Both aircraft were the prototypes for Project Kahu which resulted in the aircraft fleet receiving a major upgrade to their avionics.

NZ6254 will be reassembled at the Museum by the Unit and will go on display soon afterwards so that visitors can get the opportunity of seeing the aircraft at close quarters.

ENDS

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