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Post by kiwirico on Sept 15, 2010 19:09:34 GMT 12
Dear people, Back in 1997 I was asked by a 75 SQN pilot to design a patch, and some few weeks later they aproved this patch. The idea was to have a 500 Hours Kahu patch and 1000 Hours A-4K. Just a year later the patches were confirmed as being good by the Cmdr. and ready for production. Unfortunately, the patch only reached the state of pre-production as the 75 SQN cancelled the order for 100 pieces. Still, I think the patch deserved a place here at the forum. Perhaps a idea to use the patch for future RNZAF A-4 Asociation ;D Best regards, KiwiRico Attachments:
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Post by skyhawkdon on Sept 15, 2010 19:52:34 GMT 12
Very nice. A shame they weren't issued prior to the ACF being dumped. I've recently been doing some research into which RNZAF Skyhawk pilot had the most hours on type and so far it is 2,263.1. This includes pre-Kahu and Kahu flying hours.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2010 20:49:30 GMT 12
What a shame it never got used KiwiRico. Maybe a retrospective issue of the patch could be in order for those who achieved the required hours.
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Post by kiwirico on Sept 15, 2010 23:10:24 GMT 12
What a shame it never got used KiwiRico. Maybe a retrospective issue of the patch could be in order for those who achieved the required hours. Thank you guys for your nice comment. Indeed a shame that the patches never reached the stage to be used on the flightsuits  I consider the idea from Dave, but when so... I need to have your help guys to reach those who did achieved the 500 and up hours on the A-4K. Any help welcome. If produced, you guys will get one for free  Cheers, KiwiRico |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2010 13:35:01 GMT 12
Maybe a good time to issue them will be when the first of the Skyhawks goes into local museum, I'm sure a ceremony could be arranged with as many of the 500 hours pilots attending as possible. Just a thought...
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Post by Barnsey on Sept 17, 2010 1:04:11 GMT 12
Basically everyone who got beyond 1/2 way through their 75 Sqn tour had more than 500 A4 hours as we flew around 250 hours a year. As a side note, we only logged airborne time - none of this civvie engine start to shutdown malarky!
I had a lean first year on the jet at 2 Sqn, getting only 195 hours, but by the end of my 2 year tour at 75 Sqn I had the grand total of 694.4 A4 hours.
Only one pilot around my era, Trash Barlow, managed 1000 A4 hours on his first tour as he did an extra year at 75 (for a total of 4 years - due to remaining on the squadron for the upcoming F16....!)
Don: didn't Herb Keightley crack 3000 A4 hours near the end of his CO75 tour?
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Post by skyhawkdon on Sept 17, 2010 7:50:58 GMT 12
Yes Herb is the highest houred A-4 pilot that I have been able to track down, with 2236.1 hours on them.
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Post by kiwiscanfly on Sept 17, 2010 13:31:15 GMT 12
I like the patch Kiwirico any chance you could accept orders for them, honestly it just looks like such a modern and cool design And when it comes to most Kahu Houres what about Chris Underwood "Undies" he was bloke to fly the A-4 was he not? even after the squadrons had beed disbanded. |
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Post by Barnsey on Sept 17, 2010 15:55:12 GMT 12
Not even close for Undies, I wouldn't think. The high-houred guys are the ex-COs who had done 3 or 4 full tours on the jet, and had flown the jet in the dinosaur days when the annual hours budget was higher - a'la Steve Moore or Nick Osborne (who were COs of both 2 and 75).
Don, I'd imagine you've been in touch regularly with Oz? He had some good war stories from Cope Thunder days.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Sept 17, 2010 19:37:32 GMT 12
Yeah I talked to him at the 75 Squadron reunion in March, gave him my contact details and he promised to get back to me but never has! There are a lot out there the same which is a real shame. After the book is published will be too late! If you have Oz's email address can you PM me and I'll try again.
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Post by kiwirico on Sept 18, 2010 2:42:13 GMT 12
I like the patch Kiwirico any chance you could accept orders for them, honestly it just looks like such a modern and cool design And when it comes to most Kahu Houres what about Chris Underwood "Undies" he was bloke to fly the A-4 was he not? even after the squadrons had beed disbanded. Hello Kiwiscanfly, I seriously consider the production of this patch and it could be done in 4 weeks time if I give the supplier the green light. My wish is to get some one involved here with A-4 background (technician, pilot 2 SQN and/or 75 SQN). I already tried to get in contact with some A-4 jocks, per haps one of you can do the same and show the patch and the idea. If done, sure you guys get one sample for your collection. Hope to hear some comments, KiwiRico, Holland |
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Post by skyhawkdon on Sept 18, 2010 8:03:39 GMT 12
Glen Turner is Secretary of the 75 Squadron Association so that might be a good avenue for selling a patch. Glen has contact details for many ex Skyhawk pilots. His email address is 75sqn.assnz@windowslive.com
If you took the "Kahu"and "500" out of it and just made it a general RNZAF Skyhawk patch then it may sell better as the number of Kahu pilots who flew more than 500 hours is limited and those who flew over 1000 even more so. It would then appeal to the many ground crew who worked on the jet. Maybe look at getting a range of patches done - some with and without Kahu and the hours? Also one with "1970-2001" and "End of an era". Just throwing a few ideas out there.
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Post by kiwirico on Dec 19, 2010 20:02:57 GMT 12
Hello fellow A-4 lovers,
I am proud to anounce that I will start production of 100 patches of the A-4K Kahu as at the iamge. Only small change is made; 500 Hours will be replaced by what Skyhawkdon has mentioned in one of his reply's into "1970 - 2001" to mark the years of A-4 operations in New Zealand.
The patches will be donated to 75 Sqn members, but I will keep 20 for distrubution amongst you guys. Most likely I will shipp the patches to one of you in NZ (Skyhawkdon?) so he will deliver them to you guys. I expect to have them ready by late january for shipment. When I have them here, I will scan a picture.
Enjoy your week, best wishes from KiwiRico....
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Post by phil on Dec 19, 2010 22:46:01 GMT 12
I would be interested in one of these - being ex 75SQN and all. It is rather a good looking patch.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Dec 20, 2010 6:30:58 GMT 12
Happy to help distribute them (PM or email me for my address). Are you sure you want to give them away for free? I'm sure most people would be happy to pay something for one.
Cheers
Don
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