Ex A4 jock. Nice presentation. Had me slobbering about all the upgrades. I flew the A-4B/C/E and TA-4F. 2 times in Nam. This bird was made for CAS(Marine Aviator here). IMO this was the greatest bargain (other than the Warthog) in the modern jet era for CAS. We could get down and dirty, nose to nose with the enemy in support of the ground troopers. I loved flying the super scooter. Really miss it. The TA-4F was a great trainer. And also a FAC(A) bird. There are a few flying in support roles for hostile air forces air to air training. Thanks for reviving old memories for this old Skyhawker.

Skyhawk was a formidable fighter, with the upgrades it was a real bargain.

These are getting better everytime. I liked the camera angles you used this time as well.

GREAT VIDEO YOUNG MAN. YOU HAVE A SOLID PLATFORM ON WHICH TO TELL YOUR STORY. THE A-4 WAS VERY EASY TO MAINTAIN, VERY ROBUST, AND CHEAP. CANT BEAT'EM MATE!

You missed that the Skyhawk behind you #06 was the only one in NZ service that ever fired in anger.

Thanks Luke...nice to know the Skyhawk is now at MOTAT... I been for a ride in a Skyhawk and done Kiwiingenuity expo's be good to reinstate our Strike Wing. . 👍🇳🇿

Great vid, keep it up!

Very informative Luke and great Kiwi enginnering.

You missed the best bit of the story, the translation of Kahu. Its a Maori falcon.....

Keep up the good work!

Awesome content Luke ⭐

Good video dude, well informed

I can't believe that the A4 was a first gen jet, that would put it in the same category as the Meteor, Vampire, Me262! Surely it's a gen 2 🤔

THE ALPHA 4 COULD ALSO CARRY NUCLEAR WEAPONS IF TASKED TO DO SO.

Great video

Nice video.. 👍👍

Nice job Luke.

Beautiful plane, but understandably aging. If possible, and if rejuvenated body panelling was the first option, is it then worth upgrading Skyhawks close to par of 4th gen fighters? And if so, what upgrades it deserved? Ie. HOBS IR missiles such as ASRAAM (HMD compatibility)and standoff Anti-Ship or Anti-radiation weapons compatibility?

Nice video, well presented with generally accurate info. One quibble, KAHU did not make A-4K the equivalent to an F-16 or especially an A-10. Least of all in terms of range and payload, which is everything in a combat aircraft. NZ never purchased AMRAAM and simply having APG-66 does not make an aircraft AMRAAM capable. AMRAAM requires a continuous wave illuminator which -66 lacked, but which its successor APG-68 possesses. A model F-16s require an upgrade to operate AIM-120.

Impressive video, you must have memorized all that to say it on the spot with no handheld script. If your interested in Skyhawks and more, come to the NZ Warbirds Association at Ardmore. If your lucky you might even get to sit in the A-4K there (depending on who's around). I'm a member and are an avid Skyhawk enthusiast. Sat in Skyhawk NZ6209 at NZ Warbirds, and did a rather cool 360 video of its cockpit you can find on my channel. I'll definitely subscribe to your channel.

Never know, NZAF might end up buying our old F/A-18A’s when the RAAF gets the F-35A

My first bird and first squadron VA-155

Canbera ?

You say "The equipment hump had been removed". When the NZ airforce "purchased" the ex RAN aircraft they didn't have the equipment hump did they? Unless they were installed after the purchase?

Kiwi Skyhawks getting kills on F-16's, F-18's, F-5's and a Mig-29 in multinational exercises skip to 3:32 for HUD footage kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o9OkiMWj07WXkZs.html

THEY COULD AL.SO CARRY THE FRENCH EXOCET (ANTI-SHIP) MISSLE. ARGENTINA USED AN A-4 TO BRING A BRITISH FRIGATE DOWN DURING THE FALKLANDS WAR. *if memory serves me correct.

You forgot the F18

I have to wonder why they pulled it out of service as the A4 Skyhawk is a formidable little bird. With the P&W J52-P-408A engine it became a winged Ferrari.

Pity the anti Vietnam war crowd that was to eventually become the govt in the 2000s grounded them gave them away

Fighter pilot wannabe, armchair general?