Teaser for an Australian documentary on the RNZAF A-4s which sadly never got published.

Some great teaser footage from No 2 Squadron operations at Nowra, Australia in 2001.

[@davidbolton4930]

Fuck those boys were good... you cant replace those guys over night.... the lost of skill and knowledge is the biggest mistake nz has ever made

[@iangodfrey4518]

And girl!

[@GrumpyAustralian]

I remember the story that when out that there was a navy that was going to close down their submarine flotilla. If it closed on the Friday and reopened on the Monday it would take them twenty years to get their first submarine operational! A good proportion of the older and experienced personnel would leave for greener pastures on the Friday.

[@greglynch6549]

It will be great if the Chinese start moving down here!

[@colinmeehan791]

Thats leftie governments for you

[@A-Skyhawk]

Big fat ginormous understatement

[@mitseraffej5812]

I have a fond ( at the time slightly alarming) memory of puttering south down the desert road in a Cessna 172, low level VFR on a rather murky day when from behind two A4s shot past close enough to hear them, they then turned up a valley to the east. I would have been reluctant to follow them up that valley at 100 kts, let alone at 400. Of course if there no exit visible they just pull back on the stick and go vertical, not an option in a C172.

[@RF590KG84]

I recall a Soundsair Cessna Caravan having a close encounter between 3 or 4 Macchis flying in the opposite direction down the Marlborough Sounds. Back then you had to keep your eyes peeled in VFR land.

[@gregcooks-qr9wk]

Well done Mr Beasley your engagement with the defence force in the 1980s has stuffed the military. A military that no one wishes to serve now.

[@matthewwalker6762]

Fantastic bought back great memorys

[@snapdragon9300]

Or indeed the future of navy combat capability for that matter. With 4 frigates now down to two. And a replacement pushed out to 2035 for hulls already 20 to 22 years old.I have a bad feeling about their future too. Remaining P3 maritime patrol of 6 reduced to 4 P8 when they are introduced in a couple of years. Where practically handing our fisheries and trade route controls over to pirates, smugglers and the Chinese navy.

[@jangofett5806]

I think New Zealand is in for a shock in the next 10 years once China starts getting their type 2 and latter type 3 carriers up to speed. You will see them in the waters around New Zealand. Hopefully a J16 does a head butt to RNZAF P8 and it’s captures on go pro. For the politicians in your country to see and your citizens demand a tactical fighter force again. What a shame it was to loose that capability. I for sure thought when 9/11 happened. Your country would have demanded a fighter force. Lots of options if you don’t buy American. JAS39E would be the most logical from a neutral standpoint, but a Tranche 4 Eurofighter or F4.2 Rafale are all great options too. Let’s hope that head butt happens sooner rather.

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

@@jangofett5806 We live on an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the middle of no where. It's the only thing we need. Makes no sense to me.

[@allgood6760]

Cool vid!... Thanks 👍🇳🇿

[@MingusCasey]

Funnily enough I cannot find "Soft as Sunlight" by Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull member) on youtube, go figure. Nice sound track for the tail end of that.

[@wellmaywesay]

NZ has a population roughly 20% the size of Australia's population. RAAF has around 100 jet fighters. Therefore, the RNZAF could commit to attaining a solid squadron of say 20 jet fighters, comprising 16 single, and 4 dual seat, or, 20 dual seat, increasing the role flexibilities of each unit. Perhaps the Rafale, orhold out for the British Tempest? Either way, would make for Australia/NZ to integrate more closely.

[@janineandandyjackson3540]

What about the grippen E?

[@louisavondart9178]

... you have to find a some politicians with a clue first.

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

Betrayed by our own government so many times. A bit angry and a bit sad.

[@adammcintosh8556]

Any idea Don where that valley is that they do the inverted pull into at 1:46?

[@iangodfrey4518]

The valley of death...

[@MingusCasey]

at a guess somewhere between Sydney and Brisbane maybe near Gosford

[@andrewniles5390]

From memory it was in the low flying area south west of nowra, very close to "The Castle" lookout

[@Thespiansewist]

What flyers wow!

[@KH-fj8wq]

Awesome

[@Rob-vv5yn]

Such little hot rods

[@viperdriver82]

💪🏽

[@MaoriMan76]

It's over!!!

[@shadow7577]

sadly never came to fruition

[@Sponsor_Block]

plandemick