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Due to New Zealand's relative isolation, the RNZAF's No 75 Squadron McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks would periodically travel immense distances for their deployments. Former squadron Commanding Officer John Lanham describes how visitors to the squadron headquarters would often be 'gobsmacked' at the fact that the unit could relatively easily deply over distances greater than that of the UK to eastern Siberia.
In the late 1960's the Royal New Zealand Air Force was looking to upgrade its strike force which at the time consisted of de Havilland Vampire FB5 fighter-bomber jets. Air Force personnel were hopeful that the New Zealand Goverment would purchase a two-seat, twin engine aircraft that would provide good strike capabilities, with a good range to ensure that New Zealand's relative isolation did not impact the effectiveness of the force. The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was one option that the Air Force favoured while other types such as the Blackburn Buccaneer were also considered.
In 1970, somewhat unexpectedly, the Government informed the Air Force that they would be purchasing McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft to replace the ageing de Havilland Vampire fleet. Given that the Skyhawk was a small delta wing, single seat and single engine aircraft this lead to considerable consternation within the Air Force, who were concerned that it was not a good fit for the force.
However, in typical 'Kiwi can-do' style the Air Force adopted the new aircraft, and then proceeded to operate them very successfully for over 30 years. Periodically during this period No 75 Squadron would be required to deploy to locations outside of New Zealand, and the Kiwi pilots became very adept at flying their aircraft over vast distances, often to the amazement of onlookers from other countries military forces.
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