The Royal New Zealand Air Force operated BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 88 aircraft from Base Ohakea. Pilots were taught tactical low level flying, air combat manouevering and aerial weapons delivery before transitioning to the A-4K Skyhawk

Strikemaster ​NZ6372 was operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1975 till 1992. It was one of 16 Strikemasters flown by 14 Squadron and today is the only remaining ex-RNZAF Strikemaster flying in New Zealand. Several ex RNZAF Strikemasters are still being flown by Blue Air Training in the US where they are used for Close Air Support and ground attack missions.

Aircraft Profile

Performance specifications

Crew: 2
Max Speed: 774 km/ hr
Never exceed speed: 834 km/hr
Empty Weight: 6,195lbs
Max Take off Weight: 11,500 lbs
Climb rate: 5,250 ft/ minute
Power Plant: Rolls Royce Viper 535
Range: 2224 km
Combat radius: 233 km fully armed, lo-lo-lo profile
Service Ceiling: 40,000 ft
RNZAF fitted weaponary:
- 2 Nato machine guns
- 4 hard points for bombs and rocket pods

RNZAF service life

Strikemaster aircraft were retired by the RNZAF in 1992 and replaced by the Aermacchi 339C. High service use was causing fatigue of the wing structure. Strikemaster 72 was one of 6 aircraft fitted with brand new wings prior to retirement. Today only 3% of the allowable wing fatigue life has been used. The aircraft has also recently been fitted with a fully refurbished zero-timed jet engine.