Skyhawk Silver Jubilee Show - Don?

[Dave Homewood]

I picked up some RNZAF News issues from Trademe that cover almost all of 1995. In one issue - March 1995 Vol II - is an article about the Skyhawk's Silver Jubilee celebrations, as organised by one Sgt Don Simms.

A photo shows four A-4K's in close foramtion over Ohakea. Was there a display team formed for this event Don? Did they do the Kiwi Red routine?

Have you any deatils of who the pilots were in the display? And the nature of the routine please? Any photos and memories from the anniversary event too?

Did they do a similar thing for their 30th or other anniversaries by the way?

[skyhawkdon]

Yes, what a memorable weekend that was! I haven't got a copy of that RNZAF News Dave - any chance you could scan it and post it here?

The 75 Sqn 4 ship formation display wasn't a true aerobatic display, just a formation handling display (with smoke). It was lead by CO75 W/C Gavin House. I can't remember who the other pilots were sorry. There was a full solo Skyhawk aero's display and a mock airfield attack involving 8 A-4's and several F-18's. There were probably a few Macchi's in it as well but I can't remember now. There was also a 4 ship RAAF F-18 formation/handling display (77 Sqn I think). The Aussies were here for an Exercise which coincided (deliberately) with the SSJ. There was also an RAAF 707 tanker and I think some F-111's at the Open Day. Although when I say Open Day the Base side was only "open" to current and former RNZAF personnel attending the SSJ, but the Museum opened up its side of the airfield for the public to view the flying displays and from memory they had a huge crowd. I think a few static display aircraft were parked over there too.

The SSJ reunion started on the Friday night in the W/O's & SNCO's Mess. On Saturday the base was open for inspection and the flying display. On Saturday night a huge party was held in 75 Sqn's hangar. All the SSJ guests, VIP's, current Sqn members and RAAF personnel came to about 800 people. As much food and booze as you could eat/drink all night, with a band etc. All paid for by SSJ sponsors. In the end we had money left over which was donated to the Base Welfare fund. I'll post some photos of the weekend in a couple of days (I'm out of town at the moment).

[Dave Homewood]

Excellent stuff. I'm looking forward to the photos.

I will indeed scan the article and several other Skyhawk-related items in the 1995 RNZAF News, when i get to a scanner. Might be a day or two.

[skyhawkdon]

SSJ stands for Skyhawk Silver Jubilee in case anyone is wondering! Bill Taylor designed an excellent SSJ letterhead/logo which I'll also post when I get home. The whole thing was Bill's idea - we kicked it off over a beer in the W/O's & SNCO's Mess at Ohakea one Friday night! The next day I organized a meeting with OC Strike Wing W/C Iggy Wood, CO 75 (Gav House), Bill and I, and it snowballed from there. The new Base Commander (GP CAPT Brian (?) Curruthers) was only luke warm to the idea initially. He had only just arrived having replaced Frank Sharp and wasn't from the Ohakea or the Knuck "brotherhood" and didn't want to attract any attention after all the negative media attention from the house saga. But in the end he got behind it and let us just get on with it and organise it. It was probably one of the most satisfying things I ever got involved with in my 17 years in the RNZAF. To see how everyone got behind it and made it into a fantastic event was very satisfying.

[corsair67]

Don, was the video that was produced to make the 25th anniversary of Skyhawk service in any way connected with the SSJ; or was that a totally separate venture altogether?

[skyhawkdon]

The video was made as part of the SSJ celebrations. It was produced over several months by Terry Garmonsway from Auckland. He is a real aviation enthuiast and took on the project all at his own expense. It was supposed to be a 2 part video but only part one was ever put into production. A shame, as Part 2 had most of the Kahu related footage and info. Unfortunately the cost of the whole venture got too much for Terry and he had to move on to other things. He still has all the footage so maybe one day it will be used for something.

[skyhawkdon]

SSJ 95 Logo


SSJ Port label


SSJ F-18 and A-4 formation Don Simms Photo

[skyhawkdon]

Photos from the SSJ reunion

The 1969/70 originals


Displays inside and outside 75 Sqn hangar

[FlyNavy]

Don, Thanks for the images. A question about the reunion crew photo. Ross Ewing - author of "Topped Gun" is recognised 3rd from right standing in front. Are the other men aircrew or mixture of maintainers and aircrew? If all aircrew or a mixture that would be enough to know thanks. Another guess would be: are these men the group that went to the USA to train and bring back the Skyhawks?

Do you have any Port left? :-)
Phil.

[skyhawkdon]

sinbad said:

Don, Thanks for the images. A question about the reunion crew photo. Ross Ewing - author of "Topped Gun" is recognised 3rd from right standing in front. Are the other men aircrew or mixture of maintainers and aircrew? If all aircrew or a mixture that would be enough to know thanks. Another guess would be: are these men the group that went to the USA to train and bring back the Skyhawks?

Do you have any Port left? :-)
Phil.

Hi Phil, yes that is Ross and yes it is a mixture of pilots and ground crew who went to the US to do the initial training.

As for the port... silly question! Drunk years ago.

I thought I had more photos of the reunion but I can't seem to find them. I have a feeling they went to the Ohakea Museum so who knows where they are now.

[FlyNavy]

Don,
Good work all round by everyone to get the SSJ going. How is the book progressing? I'm wondering if the "Supersonic Life" video that has never been released to the public could be added to the unseen (by the public) footage mentioned in this thread. A DVD with all 2 parts - or one or the other - would be good value. What has happened to 'Supersonic Life'? The website that claims to have it seems to go nowhere.

www.defenceforcedvd.com.au/raaf/raaf_supersonic.php
Phil.

[skyhawkdon]

I suggested to Terry Turner that he get in touch with Terry Garmonsway about using some of his footage to fill the gaps in his story months ago, but I haven't heard anyything. Between the 2 of them they could produce a great DVD. I also offered Supersonic Life my 6 hours worth of HUD footage but haven't heard back from them. Terry Garmonsway also has a lot of good HUD footage.

Re the book. I have proof read the latest draft and made some suggestions on how to improve it.

[FlyNavy]

Sounds good. :-)

[corsair67]

Love that Hornet & Skyhawk formation photo!

It's sad to think that there's all that wonderful RNZAF Skyhawk footage out there, but nobody's doing anything with it.

[Dave Homewood]

At last I've had a chance to scan some bits from the RNZAF News

Here's the cover


And the article

[Dave Homewood]

I only just noticed that Alan Howard is also mentioned in the article above. Better known as 'Duck', Al is one of my best mates, we were at school together and we joined up together. I'll fir him off an email as he might have photos from the event possibly.

Also from another issue that year... (November 1995 Vol I)...


And here are a couple more covers from that year to drool over

[Dave Homewood]

I have to ask, should that army man be doing chinups off the refuelling probe?

[FlyNavy]

Dave, Nice bits from the RNZAF news - thanks for those and over the previous page. That man is likely doing damage to the probe if he puts his full weight on it, plus the chap on the inboard end (in my non-maintainer opinion). GeezLouiz.
Phil.

[Dave Homewood]

Maybe that's how they became "clapped out"?

[30sqnatc]

admin said:

I have to ask, should that army man be doing chinups off the refuelling probe?

Nah, must be an Air man. Army mans do chinups without feet touching the ground ;D