First N.Z. Flight By Skyhawk

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32303, 22 May 1970, Page 1

First N.Z. Flight By Skyhawk

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 21.

A new shape in New Zealand’s skies was • seen yesterday afternoon when a Royal New Zealand Air Force Skyhawk trainer was test flown from Whenuapai airfield, and later flown to Ohakea.

At the controls was Squadron Leader J. A. Scrimshaw, the Commanding Officer of No. 75 Squadron. It was the first time a Skyhawk has been flown in New Zealand, and Whenuapai personnel turned out in hundreds to watch the United States-built two-seater jet. The brown and green

camouflaged aircraft took off at 2.05 p.m., turned over Hobsonville and made two low-level passes over the airfield.

The first was made at low speed and the second at nearly 500 m.p.h. The aircraft was then taken through the clouds to 26,000 feet to carry out air tests.An attempt earlier in the day to test fly the aircraft was called off because of bad weather.

The 14 Skyhawks, which arrived on board the United States Navy helicopter assault ship Okinawa last Sunday, will be based at Ohakea. They will be flown there as tests are completed at Whenuapai. The squadron of Skyhawks which cost $24,650,000, will replace the Canberra as the R.N.Z.A.F.’s strike aircraft The eight remaining Canberras will be put up for sale when the Skyhawks are fully operational. Squadron Leader Scrimshaw, of Nelson, said he expected No. 75 Squadron would

be fully operational with the Skyhawks by the end of the year.

He led the 10-strong team of R.N.Z.A.F. pilots to the United States earlier this year to spend three months and a half learning to fly the jets.

He said the role of the Skyhawks would be in close support of troops, as well as the attacking of an enemy's communications and supply routes.

“To get good results with the sort of weapons we will be carrying you have to get close to the target, and that is what this aeroplane is built for,” he said. A second Skyhawk trainer also left for Ohakea today.