RNZAF Training in NAS Cecil Field, U.S.A.
1970 - JAN/FEB:
NZ6251, BuNo 157914, the 1st RNZAF TA-4K arrives at Cecil Field. Official U.S. Navy photo, Phil Thompson / Don Simms.
NZ6201, BuNo 157904, at NAS Cecil Field. Pat Leggett courtesy of Phil Thompson.
1970: RNZAF flight line at Cecil Field with NZ6252, BuNo 157915, in the foreground. Pic 1, Pat Leggett courtesy of Phil Thompson. Pic 2, Pat Leggett. Photos from Don Simms.
02 FEB 1970 - USA:RNZAF pilots in front of TA-4K BuNo 157914, NZ6251 at NAS Cecil Field. L to R: Graeme Thomson, Ken Gayfer, John Woolford, Roger Henstock, Mike Callanan, Ken Cox, Murray Abel, Ross Ewing, John Scrimshaw, Trevor Bland. Don Simms photo.
1970 and early: A TA-4F of VA-44 is launching with a RNZAF crew. The names there are SQD LDR WR Donaldson RNZAF and ATM W. Stratton RNZAF. The RNZAF 75 SQN was in the U.S.A. for training as they received their new Skyhawks from the California Douglas factory. Sqdn Ldr Ross Donaldson preceded the ten 75 Squadron pilots on an exchange posting to VA-44, Florida, and here briefs visiting senior RNZAF officer Bill Stratton (left) before a flight in a US Navy TA-4. Several weeks later Donaldson suffered a freak accident in a US Navy Skyhawk. The accident was in a TA-4 with a USN student in front. A bird strike caused Donaldson to be injured, he lost an eye. The student recovered the aircraft with damaged canopy. Apparently Donaldson did not fly again but remained in the RNZAF for many years in desk jobs. Note the 75 SQN patch on Donaldson's right shoulder. Note the RNZAF insignia below the canopy. Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1970: VA-44 A-4C BuNo 147745 in the hangar with RNZAF ground crew in the foreground. RNZAF 75 SQN is in the U.S.A. training and receiving their new A-4K Skyhawks. Pat Leggett photo via Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
VA-44 flight line. L-r AD-406, A-4C BuNo 149594 (AD-426), TA-4F BuNo 152875 (AD-471) and A-4E BuNo 149651 (AD-452). RNZAF 75 SQN is in the U.S.A. training and receiving their new A-4K Skyhawks.
VA-44 Flight line; VA-44 Hornets Skyhawk flight line. L-r AD-406 in a tanker configuration, A-4C BuNo 149594 (AD-426), TA-4F BuNo 152875 (AD-471) with Mk-76's on a PMBR, Snakeyes on a TER, Snakeyes an a MER, an AIM-9 Sidewinder and A-4E BuNo 149651 (AD-452), 1970
VA-44 flight line. Front row l-r unknown, unknown, TA-4F BuNo 154341 (AD-463) & AD-400. Back rows l-r VA-127 TA-4F BuNo 153687 (NJ-717), TA-4F BuNo 152877 (AD-472) & TA-4F AD-475. RNZAF 75 SQN is in the U.S.A. training and receiving their new A-4K Skyhawks.
Flight line; Description: VA-44 Hornets flight line, NAS Cecil Field, 1969. Front row l-r unknown, unknown, TA-4F BuNo 154341 (AD-463) and A-4E (might be 151160) AD-400. Back rows l-r VA-127 TA-4F BuNo 153687 (NJ-717), VA-44 TA-4F BuNo 152877 (AD-472) and VA-44 TA-4F AD-475. Pat Leggett photo via Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1970: Douglas photo of NZ6251 (157914) in-flight over the California Sierras. RNZAF 75 SQN is in the U.S.A. training and receiving their new A-4K Skyhawks. From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1970: Douglas photo of NZ6201 (157904) and NZ6251 (157914) in-flight over California. RNZAF 75 SQN is in the U.S.A. training and receiving their new A-4K Skyhawks. From Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
1970:Royal New Zealand Air Force TA-4K Skyhawk BuNo 157914, NZ-6251, flying over Yosemite National Park. Probably during RNZAF training in U.S. Photo from James Stegman.
RNZAF Skyhawk Delivery
Unit: RNZAF
Location: U.S.S. Okinawa
Date: MAY 1970
Photo credit: Pat Leggett, Don Simms and RNZAF
Contact: Provided by Phil Thompson
Description: A-4F and TA-4F Skyhawks purchased from the U.S. are shipped to New Zealand aboard the U.S.S. Okinawa to be un-loaded at Auckland, NZ. The U.S.S. Okinawa arrived at Auckland and unloaded on 17 MAY 1970.
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17 MAY 1970 the new Skyhawks were unloaded and towed to RNZAF base Whenuapai, then flown to Ohakea between 21 MAY and 27 MAY, 1970.
BuNo 157917, NZ6254;
BuNo 157917, NZ6254;
BuNo 157905, NZ6202;
BuNo 157097, NZ6204'
BuNo 157097, NZ6204;
BuNo 157914 unwrapping Skyhawks photo shows brand new TA-4K 157914 (6251) and TA-4K 157916 (6253) having their protective coating removed at Whenuapai airbase after shipping from the US to NZ in May 1970. Aircraft were delivered by ship 17 MAY. RNZAF Official photo via Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
10 JUN 1970: Handover ceremony with RNZAF A-4K BuNo 157907, NZ6204 at left, middle and right are unknown, photo credit Don Simms via Phil Thompson.
