Air Force Museum’s A-4 "NZ 6207"
“NZ 6207” which stands resplendent in the atrium of the Air Force Museum is not as it first appears and is in fact a replica of the aircraft the first Skyhawk lost in RNZAF service.
“07” was originally built as an A-4C for the US Navy and later modified to an A-4L in Navy service before being used by a private American Company on military work.
The Skyhawk was delivered to Wigram by RNZAF Hercules on 27 January 1988 to commence a six month conversion and upgrade for display as an early A-4K. This involved reconfiguring the nose with underneath pod, modifying the windscreen to the air bleed washer system on the K model, modification to the larger air intakes and tail fin, and addition of the parachute pack.
The three underwing hard points of the A-4L were increased to five and fitted out with replica weapons of the era.
Due to weight considerations it should be noted that the aircraft is displayed without the J-52 powerplant.
The aircraft complete in the authentic camouflage scheme utilising stocks of the actual paints the “Black Hand Gang” restoration team were able to track down was handed over to the Museum in a ceremony on the 8th November, 1988.
(Modellers should note that the reinforcement plans on the fuselage intakes were not present on the RNZAF A-4K’s).
“07” was originally built as an A-4C for the US Navy and later modified to an A-4L in Navy service before being used by a private American Company on military work.
The Skyhawk was delivered to Wigram by RNZAF Hercules on 27 January 1988 to commence a six month conversion and upgrade for display as an early A-4K. This involved reconfiguring the nose with underneath pod, modifying the windscreen to the air bleed washer system on the K model, modification to the larger air intakes and tail fin, and addition of the parachute pack.
The three underwing hard points of the A-4L were increased to five and fitted out with replica weapons of the era.
Due to weight considerations it should be noted that the aircraft is displayed without the J-52 powerplant.
The aircraft complete in the authentic camouflage scheme utilising stocks of the actual paints the “Black Hand Gang” restoration team were able to track down was handed over to the Museum in a ceremony on the 8th November, 1988.
(Modellers should note that the reinforcement plans on the fuselage intakes were not present on the RNZAF A-4K’s).
In December 2012, in association with the redevelopment of the museum and building additions NZ 6207 was disassembled and moved in to the new wing of the museum. The photos below, courtesy of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand Facebook Page show the NZ 6207 being prepared for the move.
A series of photographs documenting the full move can be found on the Museum Facebook Page.
www.facebook.com/pages/Air-Force-Museum-of-New-Zealand/79683131278?sk=photos_stream
The photo below shows the aircraft in the days immediately following reassembly in the new hanger.
www.facebook.com/pages/Air-Force-Museum-of-New-Zealand/79683131278?sk=photos_stream
The photo below shows the aircraft in the days immediately following reassembly in the new hanger.