Radio NZ News has reported that the RNZAF’s 17 retired A-4K Skyhawk fighter bombers – which were mothballed in 2001 – have finally been cleared by the US government for sale to a private US company.
The NZ$155m (A$128m) sale of the aircraft, which also includes 17 Aermacchi MB-339 advanced trainers, had been held up by the US State Department as well as the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms which reportedly had to approve the transfer of the ejection seat initiation explosives.
The company buying the aircraft, believed to be an Arizona based company which provides air training services to the US military and allies, will send engineering staff to NZ to assess to the aircraft before a final deal is reached.
