Skyhawk N13-154911 returns

Text is from an e-mail message from a Kiwi chap preparing Kiwi Skyhawk disbursements.

"The team has just started disassembling 6255 (ex 880) and the situation has changed a little, its now off to Nowra since JDI wants a A4 instead of a TA4. Not confirmed but looks as if its going to be regenerated to flying condition. Maybe not so good is the Kahu modifications will be removed, unsure how they are going to get around the avionics as everything is all tied up with the aircraft wiring loom. They haven't made the decision yet but unless the Aussies'have a spare aircraft loom stashed somewhere it maybe more of a headache. The other thing is if it going to be in a flying condition whats the situation with the U.S regulations ? I thought all the aircraft that are given away wouldn't be flyable again. NZ6255 should be in reasonable condition since it had about 145 hrs left before the next major servicing when it was put into storage. Hopefully it'll be transported down to Christchurch put onto a C-17A & flown out. Would love to be involved if they are going to be regenerated to flying condition again. I'll try to get some photos and send them through."

URL is for a small video of the final 880 flyby NAS Nowra mid 1984:
LCDR John Hamilton in front and CAPT John Da Costa in back

http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l261/SpazSinbad/?action=view&current=TA4G880finalFlybyNASnowra.mp4

Bunch o' photos of TA4K Kahu DisAssembly at end of URLs below. Message is from same e-mail source as above.

"Unsure to what degree the aircraft will be put back together, its most
likely be the same as the museum aircraft, reassembled to look the part but
wouldn't stand up to a close inspection. I don't think Nowra has come back
with any details of what is expected or whether they want the engine
re-fitted but as you have said its going to need a lot of avionics work. As
far as I know the cockpit will be a complete Kahu cockpit but all the kahu
box's have been removed so various system may or may not work that is if you
manage to be able to apply ground power to the aircraft.

I believe the team from here will be putting the aircraft back together but
I don't believe they'll be around long enough to put it back to how it came
apart. About 4 days I believe they'll be there but I'm sure they'll have
enough time to get in touch with some of the ex 2 sqn members.

Most of the Kahu items have been removed and will start on the Drag Chute
maybe next week. Blanks have been made for where the various items have been
removed.

From the attached photos the following items have been removed or replaced :
Fin Tip (IFF)
ILS Antenna (VOR/ILS)
RWS ANT on the Tailcone & Wing (ALR66)
Drag Chute(yet to be done)
Marker Beacon ANT under righthand side of Wing
ARC-159 ANT on the tail. (unsure but I think it use to be on the lower fwd
fuselage) I think its the 159 ANT can't remember.

I think when it gets to Nowra it'll look more like a G than the K.

The aircraft won't have the disassembly complete and be ready to move until
after the New Year, also will depend on the availability of the C-17. The
aircraft when compared with the others that have gone to museums has lasted
well & is one of the better airframes.

Attached are some photos of the progress so far. I've been taking when and
where I could during the disassembly process and the removal of the Kahu
items before its taken away."

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/107372318/name/CIMG4324.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/209926794/name/CIMG4325.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/2044236666/name/CIMG4339.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/598568680/name/CIMG4346.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/605667499/name/CIMG4395.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/1333972297/name/CIMG4387.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/1843503169/name/CIMG4388.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/1727265574/name/CIMG4391.jpg
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2259496/sn/335500096/name/CIMG4392.jpg

This post has been edited by Luig on Dec 5 2011, 05:54 AM

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Probably a bit late in posting this however Skyhawk N13-154911 (880) is due to be delivered to Nowra today via RAAF Globemaster

Better late than never Martin,

Thanks for the heads up!

Hopefully photos wil be available to us soon.

Cheers

BC

Thanks Martin.

I'll keep a 'lookout' for any more info:

TA-4G Skyhawk arrival at HMAS Albatross

http://www.navy.gov.au/TA-4G_Skyhawk_arriv..._HMAS_Albatross

"Date Friday, 20 April 2012 | Time 9:30am for 10:00am start | What A TA-4G Skyhawk jet, bound for the Fleet Air Arm Museum, will arrive at HMAS Albatross in the belly of a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster. Where HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

A Skyhawk TA-4G trainer departs NAS Nowra on a training mission.The New Zealand Government has donated an ex-Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) TA-4G Skyhawk jet to Nowra’s Fleet Air Arm Museum.

The two-seat aircraft, which will be the only RAN Skyhawk held by the Museum, will be delivered to HMAS Albatross in a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster.

The Skyhawk was introduced into RAN service in 1967 to provide naval fighter protection to Australian Defence Force assets overseas.

The Skyhawk fleet was withdrawn from RAN service in 1984 and subsequently sold to the RNZAF, which undertook to return one aircraft to Australia for heritage purposes after decommissioning.

Following its arrival at Albatross, the Skyhawk will be reassembled by the New Zealand project team and repainted in 724 Squadron livery, before going on public display.

The New Zealand government has funded the aircraft disassembly and load preparation, as well as the reassembly and repainting costs. A formal handover ceremony from the New Zealand Ministry of Defence is scheduled for later this year."

This post has been edited by Luig on Apr 21 2012, 12:10 PM

Here is an article from the Nowra News.

An old war bird returns for good
20 Apr, 2012 08:45 AM
THEY haven’t been seen in the skies above Shoalhaven since 1984 but today one of the old Skyhawks returns.
It flew from New Zealand as cargo inside a massive Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster.

The New Zealand government donated the ex-Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force Skyhawk jet to Nowra’s Fleet Air Arm Museum.

The Skyhawk was introduced into RAN service in 1967 to provide naval fighter protection to Australian Defence Force assets overseas.

The Skyhawk fleet was withdrawn from RAN service in 1984 and sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which undertook to return one aircraft to Australia for heritage purposes after decommissioning.

Following its arrival at HMAS Albatross today the Skyhawk will be reassembled by the New Zealand project team and repainted in Number 724 Squadron livery, before going on public display.

Apparently the C17 was delayed on its flight as it had to return and land due to a bird strike :o

Thanks Dave. I'll look for Kiwi News....

I can see why Defence / Navy have not published any photos yet. :-)

Photos:
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o45/bea...um/DSC_1210.jpg
&
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o45/bea...um/DSC_1207.jpg
&
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o45/bea...um/DSC_1204.jpg
&
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o45/bea...um/DSC_1224.jpg
&
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4U7YhT7wcA/T5HS...00/IMG_6202.jpg
&
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xST8V3Ji834/T5HS...00/IMG_6203.jpg

..actually Defence (or Navy to be more precise) have now published photos of its arrival at Nowra

http://images.navy.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx...UP=1&SF_FIELD3=

Thanks Martin, Geez the ADF photo pages are difficult to navigate (winge, winge). :o

And,

From our friends at ALG comes this:

Eamon also adds:

Thanks Eamon for passing this on and welcome aboard!

Brendan

Here is the A4G stick out of NATOPS, earlier A-4s without autopilot did not have the right hand knob part.

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...don't reckon the Globemaster would have the bomb release or gun/rocket buttons :P

And the log books.

( Photo credit - SCRegister )


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Mick, great photo outside the old 'J' Hangar, the 'jet' hangar - the last one in the line next to runway 26 (at southern end) whilst these chaps are at the northern (sunny) end.

I have it on some authority that the present 'pretend' A4G will be rehung from the ceiling to make way for the display of the TA4G, with perhaps the engine on display also.
____________

PHOTO CAPTION FOR ABOVE PHOTO: 26 April 2012

“HAND OVER: HMAS Albatross commanding officer Captain Gordon Andrew, Royal New Zealand Air Force logistics project manager Wing Commander Chris Calvert (retired) and Fleet Air Arm Museum manager Terry Hetherington with the Skyhawk log books.”

This post has been edited by Luig on Apr 28 2012, 07:23 AM

Skyhawk back in town for good BY GILLIAN LETT 27 Apr, 2012

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/...od/2536598.aspx

"A TA-4 Skyhawk fighter jet was officially handed over to the Royal Australian Navy on Thursday, in a ceremony that involved the exchange of logbooks.

The Skyhawk made its final journey to Australia last week aboard a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster.

The handover ceremony took place at HMAS Albatross’ J hangar where the Skyhawks were housed from 1967 to 1984.

After 1984 they were sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Still painted in its New Zealand colours, the Skyhawk will be repainted in 724 Squadron livery before going on public display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

The Skyhawk was supposed to arrive in January, however Fleet Air Arm Museum manager Terry Hetherington was thankful it was late.

“What this meant was that it was here for Anzac Day,” he said.

“We had a great celebration here (at HMAS Albatross) and it was wonderful that we could incorporate the transfer of this aircraft at such an auspicious occasion,” he said.

Peter Marshall was excited to see the Skyhawk return home.

He flew the Skyhawk from 1972 to 1980.

Mr Marshall flew more than 15 different types of aircraft in his career. He said the Skyhawk was his second favourite, after the F4 Phantom.

“It is really good to have them back. Of course at the time they left, I never thought they should have gone anyway,” he said.

“In America they were called the Tinker Toy and they were really manoeuvrable. You just felt at home in the cockpit,” he said.

Royal New Zealand Air Force logistics project manager Wing Commander Chris Calvert (retired ) has worked with the Skyhawks since 1987.

He and his team of six from spent the last week restoring the jet back to RAN configuration.

Mr Calvert liked the Skyhawk because it was exciting and capable. They had a “lot of bang for their buck,” he said."

More photos of TA4G 880 outside FAAM with other 'Skyhawk' Search results here:

http://images.navy.gov.au/fotoweb/ [Search using 'Skyhawk' without quotes]

This very long URL is for the complete photo being 3,000 pixels wide:
http://images.navy.gov.au/fotoweb/cmdreque...n8116610_107.jp
g?rt=1&f=72F5793D98FF2F4554E83BA5CF8D3BFA6711E3E0F24E091D37195BF4F004D8E83FA4A417E0729C
456CF95BD381F90EA63B623B2AE6DFFDBBBC3261BA510A4481C6FA96AC2EBA34B9554059D980C6E0156A01C
E30A29F19791406E32EDB23495EACB26F81D48542E9F1F8B4B8E03E10BBDEE82000EE2458ABC0E995E243CF
37C4D17802DB52720B0B8D000CBA53FAEF3330E98F5189D49ECF914CEAF7BC44F4046C0A9BB01DB56ED1E83
9610525CA6124D00B2953D3D399C6&sz=3000

This post has been edited by Luig on Aug 3 2012, 01:24 PM

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Nice shots Phil!

:D

BC

Here's one for you Phil

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They still haven't marked the Macchi in its RAN markings! It would look great as the Ädmirals Barge"with the big yellow Albatross on the tail ;)

Thanks Martin. I gather 882 is now going to be suspended from the ceiling?

Dave, it would be great to see the 'Admirals Barge' Macchi again. There is a great story behind it.

This post has been edited by Luig on Sep 11 2012, 09:55 PM

I dont know if they will be suspending it from the ceiling.
There has been quite a bit of change at FAAM with the removal of the non FAA relevant displays from the AMOF days.
Apart from the Dakota which is mounted aloft and a few small drones there are no longer aircraft hanging from the ceiling which in my opinion always looked cluttered.
Each and every aircraft displayed has a connection to the Navy be it the US Iroquois representing the EMUs in Vietnam to the Mig 15 that went up against the Sea Fury and Firefly in Korea.
I must say that is is now a world class display, well set out and a credit to the staff and volunteers.


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OK. Thanks. Good to know. Looks like the decluttering enables Skyhawks to stay grounded.

Looking forward to the golden finishing touch.





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And back to the thread topic.



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Thanks Mick, that glass display case top makes a nice illusion for the ladder in the TA4G photo. They could be as wonky as that (probably only the A4G ladder though).

The Scooter Shuffle -

" You put your left foot in - you put your right foot up ... !



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That DUMMY sure poses slowly (over the years). Must be arthritis. :rolleyes:

Onboard sometimes in FLY ONE (the most forward deck spots with nose hanging overboard on starboard side) that ladder could be fouled by the chains making it extra wobbly. NOT a place to be at night. In fact the plane captain would not preflight the cockpit under those circumstances - which was fair enough but otherwise made for problems later (not worth telling a long story).

This post has been edited by Luig on Oct 21 2012, 06:21 PM

Hoorah...the Macchi at least now has roundels :D

Probably the maximum number of A4Gs that could be crammed into FLY ONE! Note where the ladder might be on the A4G on the bow. Aircraft ranged here if space permits after arrest. Once that evolution finished then they will be reorganised with some going aft but at least any remaining in FLY ONE will often be reparked with tail outboard to make ladder access easier.

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Fly One photo by Joe Kaposi. The access ladder goes forward, depending on aircraft orientation to deck edge, the access can be impossible especially if the tie down chains interfere with ladder. Nothing to do then except exit without ladder going down the wing.

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Aircraft moved in Fly One for easier access.

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