Skyhawks are now outside

[Alex]

I wonder, does anyone know the cumulative cost (or annually?) of maintenance for the Skyhawks since they were retired from active service? Not trying to add anything to the posts above, but sort of an independant question.

Alex

[Jenks]

QUOTE (deaneb @ Dec 21 2007, 02:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

BTW the military dies not play politics.

Just goes to show how out of touch you are with reality I'm afraid - the military most certainly do play politics. Whether willingly or not, they say and do what they're told to by the politicians...

My 'speculation' or your 'speculation' (and that IS all it is on your part) we'll wait and see who is right...

[deaneb]

QUOTE (Jenks @ Dec 16 2007, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just goes to show how out of touch you are with reality I'm afraid - the military most certainly do play politics. Whether willingly or not, they say and do what they're told to by the politicians...

My 'speculation' or your 'speculation' (and that IS all it is on your part) we'll wait and see who is right...

Well thats what I meant so we are on the same wavelength - we have to do what we are told by the politicians.
So in my mind they are doing the politics - Not us !!! We cannot play politics - just follow what the government of the day says.

Deane

[SUBS17]

QUOTE (Alex @ Dec 21 2007, 02:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder, does anyone know the cumulative cost (or annually?) of maintenance for the Skyhawks since they were retired from active service? Not trying to add anything to the posts above, but sort of an independant question.

Alex

I think it was $100-300000 a month to keep them airworthy with minimal maintenance and flying hours this was mentioned just before they retired the A-4s. The cost of the A-4Ks is much higher than $5mil because of the avionics including the Ferranti HUD and F-16A radar. On paper the A-4s may sound still good but the reality was that they were well overdue to be replaced. Just before they were retired they were getting alot more accidents and crashes which was the Governments main reason for retiring them. I think that they probably could've still flown for a while like A-4s still being used overseas in countries such as Israel although the F-16 deal would have been the better path as they were much better and the airframes had alot more hours left in them.(it would be like trading up from a VW to Commodore ) BTW when those A-4s arrived in NZ they were painted white and no one could fly them so they had to be towed up to the Airbase. Its not hard to remove paint either especially in WB if they decide to play with the A4s again in the future. Its just a coat of paint. Also regarding the buyer it was a US company and they were very keen and had the money but the US government blocked the deal with red tape so the A-4s couldn't be sold.(to anyone at all) I think RNZAF pilots should all be trained at least with Aermachis to keep that skill level in the system if in future the political climate should change and the need suddenly arise for combat jets they could easily be converted to any strike aircraft. It also helps boost recruiting and public confidence/morale and keeps the JP4 fans happy.

[Charl]

Found a link to the purchase Contract Addendum for the Skyhawks here

[twinstarda42]

This appeared on one of the other kiwi forums this evening anyone the wiser :

Hi guys, cnt disclose my contacts but .... knows who it is and its reliable but last week a company that is similar to ATSI inspected the Skyhawks and just before Christmas another company that also is similar to ATSI inspected the Skyhawks, also the Indonesian Air-force has shown an interest in parts etc.
I was told the names of the two companies were mentioned but cant say the names etc to protect my mate
Word is that a deal will be cut this year (Safe-Air word that is) so lets see what happens

Just the Skyhawks with a figure of 45 million quoted not 35 million.
Safe-Air management have gone dog regarding the leaking of info about the Skyhawk and certain people have had their keys to the Skyhawk compound takin of them and are now not allowed inside the compound.

[Alex]

I didn't think that the Indonesian Air Force showing interest in the skyhawks was news. I thought they had checked them out quite a while ago (or at least the media floated the possibility).

Alex

[Naki]

Surely the Indonesians wont get them - that would be politically unacceptable (or suicidal) I would of thought

[chickenman]

QUOTE (Naki @ Feb 24 2008, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely the Indonesians wont get them - that would be politically unacceptable (or suicidal) I would of thought

That hasn't stopped them making bad decisions in the past! But you're right Indonesia should be about the last place they would send them. JM