Ex-RNZAF/DRAKEN A-4 Skyhawks used to test new F-35

[sqwark2k]

Ex-RNZAF/DRAKEN A-4 Skyhawks used to test new F-35


www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123456902

[saratoga]

Guess they really are clapped out then.
That photo is,just,sad...

[Calum]

I reckon it's great to see them still operating

[thelensofhistory]

A terrible price is going to be paid, when  the day comes when the NZDF needs the capabilities the Skyhawkes and the F-16's would have offered. I hope the people who could see this coming will march up in protest against the MP's who let it happen.   

[tfly]

Clearly not as 'clapped out' as we were led to believe! Some 15 odd years later and the old Skyhawks appear to be going from strength to strength.

Maybe (without any natural enemies) the RNZAF should have offered their own aggressor service as a way of keeping the strike capability? Just saying!

www.shephardmedia.com/news/training-simulation/farnborough-2016-cae-and-draken-international-ink-/

[htbrst]

Jul 12, 2016 10:41:13 GMT 12 tfly said:

Clearly not as 'clapped out' as we were led to believe! Some 15 odd years later and the old Skyhawks appear to be going from strength to strength.

In an actual report on how they are going against the F-35 they were completely dominated by the F-35 every time even in 1 vs multiple situations: theaviationist.com/2016/07/11/f-35-pilot-explains-how-he-dominated-dogfights-against-multiple-a-4-aggressors-every-time/

Interesting in your article that the RAAF feels like some A-4K agressor training would be appreciated by them

[Ian Warren]

It is quite funny what you read and think how the A-4s were shutdown, If Draken makes money from the aircraft why could not the NZ GOV (polidorks) could done the same and built on it ... I had my nose in Don Simms book yesterday and is currently bookmarked at page 155 .. if you read between the lines and mix it , biggest thing they deleted a perfectly well oiled machine and waist'd it and loosing the techies as well.

I wonder what may have been, country making money with a well serviced fleet and creating a service again money rather the sitting and a cheap sell to one who had the foresight to use the brain case, WHOOPS forgot ... short sited Polidicks !

[30sqnatc]

I briefly visited the Gatneau air show a few weeks ago. As I was walking into the display line I spied a Skyhawk which I realised was a Draken machine. Unfortunately it was one of their ex Israeli Air Force machines not ex Kiwi. Very well presented and the guy manning the stand admitted the Kiwi machines were the pick of the bunch.

For a show that is on a Thursday and basically only for half a day, the list of WWII warbirds on display was impressive including - Spitfire, Hurricane, P-51, Swordfish, Lysander, Corsair, Kittyhawk and several Harvards, This was the first time I had seen some of these machines.

[isc]

If the F-35 didn't dominate over the A-4s, the manufacturers would have to be very worried, but the A-4s could also make the F-35 look good too, even if it wasn't, depends on whos flying what, and what they are briefed to do. isc