Hobby Master RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk No.75 Squadron - NZ6207

1/72 A-4K Skyhawk RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk No.75 Squadron - NZ6207

Highly detailed diecast pre-finished collector model airplane. Each model comes with display stand, rolling gears, and is assembled and ready to display..

The A-4K Skyhawk

The A-4 Skyhawk was designed by Ed Heinemann from the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and first flew in 1954. Designed as a lightweight single engine attack aircraft it was consider by many to be the most famous ever built in this category. The A-4 was the pioneer of the “buddy” air-to-air refueling concept where aircraft of the same type could transfer fuel from one to the other without the use of a dedicated tanker. . A total of 2,960 A-4 aircraft were produced with the USMC retiring the last one in 1996.

NZ6207  History 

“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.