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VJ Day Flyover Over Auckland Today - 15-8-2015

August 14, 2015, 8:23 pm
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Coming home from ones grandson's fourth birthday party, you tend to have your camera with you.  So when a formation of five Harvards flew by along the North Shore beaches, a very long shot was just possible.

They were celebrating the 70th anniversary of VJ Day.


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Rand Kar XAirs and Hanumans of New Zealand

August 14, 2015, 11:42 pm
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We have come to the end of the 1990s in my chronicling of sport aircraft of New Zealand.  The Rand Kar XAir was the last new type of sport aircraft to be registered in 1999 (actually it is more of a crossover microlight type but I will include it anyway).

The aircraft is an Indian development of the Chiota Weedhooper that was manufactured by Raj Hamsa Ultralight Pvt Ltd of Bangalore in India.  The aircraft is produced as a kit for amateur construction and is constructed of aluminium tubing with a welded steel fuselage cage.  Power is from a Rotax 582.  Length is 5.65 metres (18 feet 6 inches), wingspan is 9.8 metres (32 feet 2 inches) empty weight is 240 Kg (529 pounds) and MAUW is 450 Kg (945 pounds).  Cruise is around 100 km/hr.

We have had four Kar X Airs and one Hanuman X Air in New Zealand to date, as follows:

ZK-XAR (c/n 454) was first registered to Peter W Stuy of Temuka on 31/8/99.  It was sold to GJ Coulter of Woodbury on 25/2/02 and to DJ Eason of Tapanui on 10/9/04 with whom it is still current.

ZK-MMK2 (c/n 491) was first registered to the Manawatu Microlight Club of Feilding on 15/9/00.  It was sold to BM Pope of Ikamatua on the West Coast on 31/5/10 and is also still current.

ZK-JOX (c/n 543) was first registered to Graham E Mitchell of Timaru on 5/3/02 and was sold to the Waikato Microlight Club on 16/11/09.  It crashed at the microlight club airfield at Melville on 8/3/11 and was cancelled on 12/7/11,

ZK-JCK2 (c/n 751) was first registered to Henry J Young of Wanaka on 14/11/05 and was sold to the Waikato Microlight Club on 26/1/07. and is still current.


The X Air Hanuman was developed from the X Air by shifting the engine from the keel to the nose.  We have had one Hanuman in New Zealand to date.

Hanuman (c/n 1034) was started as a project by Graham Main of Rangiora.  He sold it to Roy Waddington of Lincoln and he registered it as ZK-JDY on 29/1/09.  It was sold again to the Manawatu Microlight in a well advanced state as in this photo taken at Rangiora on 6/10/09.

It was registered as ZK-MMC2 to the Manawatu Microlight Club on 5/8/10 with whom it is still current.

And now I'm off to Shanghai and Heathrow all the way by 787-9.  Back in November.


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Squirrel and Ecureuil

August 15, 2015, 12:28 am
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Undergoing re-assembly and NZ certification at Pacific Aircraft Services in Christchurch are two AS 350BA helicopters.
The photo taken on 29-07-2015 shows ZK-HMG2 (c/n 2647) still wearing the colour scheme it wore as N355TV with US Helicopter Inc of Marshville, North Carolina and as operated by "Sky 5 News".
This one began life in 1992 as TG-JBG with Luis Enriquez in Guatemala and was sold to the States in 2005. It became ZK-HMG on 07-07-2015 for Prosser Heli Ag Ltd of Fairlie where it will join the Robinson R44 Raven II ZK-HNN3.

In the background you can see the AS 350BA F-GDXR (c/n 1912) awaiting work to begin on turning it into ZK-HOQ3. 
It was registered to Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd on 06-08-2015.
This served all its earlier life with Ste Helicap Isles-Les Meldeusies, initially as F-OGNB from 16-06-1986 followed by F-GDXR from later that same year.
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ZK-HMR

August 15, 2015, 1:44 am
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Magnaman managed to get this shot of the MBB BK117 B-2 ZK-HMR5  (c/n 7173) being worked on in the inclement Ardmore weather late this morning.
Built in Germany and listed on their register as D-HBHP on 05-05-1988 it moved over to the US to become N7060G in January 1989 followed by N909AM in April 205, then to N155SC in April of 2006, and finally to N156AM from 05-11-2009 - most of this time with Rocky Mountain Holdings.
It still wears the "Westchester Medical Centre" insignia on the tail fin.
It was registered to Airwork (NZ) Ltd on 03-08-2015.
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ZK-DBY

August 15, 2015, 4:28 pm
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ZK-DBY (c/n AACA/105/1) was built by Jim Barrowclough on his farm near Morrinsville.  It was test flown on 01-07-1974 making it our seventh D.11 to fly and it was registered on the 19th,
 Jim used an Airtourer cowling and windscreen which were available at that time from Aero Engine Services Ltd in Hamilton.  
It is photographed above at Ardmore early on in its life. 
And below in March of 1975. From the Allan Wooller collection.
It is seen below in March 1976 at Palmerston North by which time it had gained a couple of stickers on the forward  fuselage.
 It was damaged in an overshoot incident near Atiamuri on 26/12/78. 
Jim flew ZK-DBY all over New Zealand and we see it below in magic monochrome at the Pudding Hill (near Methven) AACA gathering on 25-01-1981.
And then in colour on the same day.


Then, above and below, we see two views of it at New Plymouth on 03-12-1984.
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Jim had a farm at Hoe-o-tainui (a few clicks northwest of Morrinsville) where he had a hangar for the Jodel. Pic below.
Now we have three air to air shots of ZK-DBY taken by Andrew Phillpott on 31-10-1987 from the Cessna 172 ZK-DFY.
That is Jim Barrowclough flying the Jodel.

Below we see it at Rangiora gathering on 19-02-1993.
And when Jim retired to Tauranga he based it there.  
And had a nose over incident at Tauranga on 28-02-1998.
Jim owned the aircraft for 30 years before selling it to Colyn Wilson of Katikati on 20-04-2005.
Bill Izard of Omega Aviation Ltd took it over from 24-05-1007 and based it at his Kihikihi strip.
Where it is seen below with is 6x850 wheels fitted for strip work.
                                           Here are two links from Bill showing ZK-DBY.

It is photographed above at Dargaville by Bill Lambeth in 2009.  
It can be seen that it has changed little over the years. 
Above we have a pic lifted from the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) newsletter covering the Vintage Day fly-in November 2009
 Finally it was sold to Terry S Smith of Carterton on 07-09-2011.
                                 Where I believe it is undergoing a slow re-refurbishment.
                                Its registration was cancelled as withdrawn on 04-12-2012. 
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Helicopters at Ardmore.

August 17, 2015, 3:04 am
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Magnaman captured a few more helicopters at Ardmore today.
Below we have the Aerospatiale AS 350B2 ZK-IDX (c/n 2856).
Another Bryan Comerford import.
Previously registered as N725SG to Era Helicopters - and still wearing Era markings.
It was N43MH before that and originally C-FXAP from November 1995.
Below is another ex Era Helicopters machine -AS 350B4 N328BF (c/n 4284).
 Both are at Oceania.
Outside Heliflite was the Robinson R44 Raven I ZK-IKY c/n 2385 which is listed to Global Vehicle Leasing 2009 Ltd (Inky Tulloch) of Mataura.
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AS350B2 ZK-IDX

August 17, 2015, 1:45 pm
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As mentioned in a blogpost yesterday, Oceania are in the process of working on two recent imports for Bryan Comerford and Aerospatiale AS350B2 ZK-IDX was outside engine running 13 August.


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CT4B ZK-JMV

August 17, 2015, 5:00 pm
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Pacific Aerospace CT4B Airtrainer ZK-JMV was noted conducting local flights from Ardmore 13 August. 

ZK-JMV made its first flight back on 21 September 1976 as NZ1935 and was delivered to RNZAF Central Flying School at Wigram by the end of the following month. It was repainted into the scheme seen below in 1996 and continued in service with the air force at Ohakea until 2001 when the B models were replaced with the more modern E's and became ZK-JMV with Massey University School of Aviation at Palmerston North. It then tranferred to Hamilton Aeromotive for a few months in 2002 before taking up residence at Tauranga where it currently resides with CT4B Ltd.


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Question time # 180

August 17, 2015, 9:30 pm
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Question time # 180.

A  break from tradition this time.

This aircraft has not been on the NZ Civil Register.

The photograph was not taken in NZ.

The pic was taken some years ago.

Can you tell me that aircraft type ?

Can you suggest where the photograph may have been taken ?

Maybe you can suggest an individual identity for this aircraft ?

Get three out of three and win the chocolate fish.
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Fox Moth ZK-AGM

August 17, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Thanks to John M for sharing this absolute gem!

Kiwi Fox Moth makes debut in UK

Photo-report from Adrian M. Balch at Woburn

On 15-16th August, the de Havilland Moth Club held its 30th annual rally at Woburn in Bedfordshire, which also commemorated the 40th Anniversary of the Club’s founding by Stuart McKay.
Star of the show for many was the public debut of newly-restored DH83 Fox Moth, ZK-AGM (c/n T/S 52810), which only made its first flight on 3rd August from Rendcomb, Gloucestershire after rebuild by Jan Cooper and team at the Newbury Aeroplane Company, nr. Hungerford. Owned by New Zealander and Emirates Boeing 777 Captain, Bruce Broady, the Fox Moth was put through its paces at Woburn by pilot Charlie Huke. In order to fly in the UK, the Fox Moth has been allocated the UKcivil registration G-CIPJ and will be temporarily based at Rendcomb before being shipped back to New Zealand.
The aircraft has an unusual construction number ‘T/S 52810’ as it was originally c/n 4085, being delivered to the Canterbury Aero Club at Christchurchin 1934 as ZK-ADH  and leased to Air Travel (NZ) Ltd. However it crashed near Wigram on 7th June 1936 when attempting to land in fog and was damaged beyond repair. The wings, undercarriage and tail were used with a new-build fuselage and it was rebuilt by the de Havilland Technical School, but having a new fuselage was given  a new c/n, the ‘T/S’ standing for Technical School. It was also re-registered ZK-AGM and delivered to Air Travel (NZ) at Hotitika on 10th June 1938, then to New Zealand National Airways named “Matuhi” on 1st December 1947. It had several subsequent owners, but crashed again on 27th April 1963 in West Wanaka and was cancelled from the register on 5thAugust 1963.
In 1997, the remains were shipped to the UKfor restoration by the Newbury Aeroplane Company, and it finally emerged in early August in pristine condition.
This is an important restoration, as there are thought to be only another six airworthy Fox Moths flying in the world today, in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. When ZK-AGM finally returns to New Zealand, it will be based at Motueka, near Nelson on the South Island.


Photos & text @ Adrian M. Balch/ Photair Press, 17/8/15     



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Fox Moth ZK-AGM throughout the years.

August 18, 2015, 10:44 pm
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Adding to the news about the Fox Moth ZK-AGM restoration, these two photographs from the Neville Drake collection will be of interest.
Above: as ZK-ADH, at Wigram 1934/36
Below: as ZK-AGM with NZNAC at Hokitika January 1952.


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Ashburton sightings today.

August 19, 2015, 12:46 am
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Question time # 180 revisited.

August 19, 2015, 12:15 pm
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Question time # 180 revisited.

A  break from tradition this time.

This aircraft has not been on the NZ Civil Register.

The photograph was not taken in NZ.

The pic was taken some years ago.
Second and give away clue.
Oops - did I forget to mention that the pic was upside down ?

So all I need now is the aircraft type and a possible identity.

We already know that the pic was taken in colder climes.


Can you tell me that aircraft type ?

Can you suggest where the photograph may have been taken ?

Maybe you can suggest an individual identity for this aircraft ?

Get three out of three and win the chocolate fish.

 Below are the 5 comments from original posting.
  1. An Eastern bloc aircraft.Baffles suggest a colder climate type ..A twin ?
    ReplyDelete
  2. Anon -

    Not eastern bloc.

    Colder climate correct - hence baffles.

    Twin - No.

    Cheers
    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  4. Northrop N-3PB, or is it multi engine?
    ReplyDelete
  5. Evening weheka.

    That will be a negative on both of those.
    ReplyDelete
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ZK-HFH

August 19, 2015, 10:04 pm
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Eurocopter AS 350B2 Squirrel ZK-HFH5 (c/n 3253) was noted at Heli Maintenance Ltd at Christchurch today (20-08-2015) about to get snow shoes fitted.
Closer examination reveals that it wears Glacier Country Helicopters markings.
 ZK-HFH5was originally an October 1999 listing to American Eurocopter Corporation at Grand Prairie in Texas as N159JK before being hidden in the books of the Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustees of Salt lake City Utah on 10-02-2000. 
Tex Air Helicopters Inc of Houston Texas feature from 27-09-2004 with a move to ERA Helicopters LLC at Lake Charles, Louisiana on 20-05-2005. 
Its US markings were cancelled on 18-05-2015 and it was registered to Bryan Comerford of Porirua on July the 7th.


 The ZK-HFH markings have previously been utilised on a Hughes 269 in 1973, a Kawasaki BK117 between 1996 and 1999 (and it later returned as ZK-HLI3), on an HNZ Squirrel from 2001 until 2009 (and which is currently listed ZK-HVU4) and on another Squirrel currently listed as ZK-HCG3.
Some earlier photos taken at Ardmore can be viewed at :-
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/as350b2-zk-hfh.html
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Question time # 180 resolved

August 20, 2015, 2:56 am
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We finally got the answer.
It is the De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver NZ6001 (c/n 911) as photographed at Depot 480, which is near the top of the Darwin Glacier, during the 1957-1958 season.
I believe it is a John Claydon photograph. John was one of the Beaver pilots.
This is the only photo I have seen of NZ6001/NZ6010 fitted with louvres.
Its serial number was changed to NZ6010 in August of 1959 but it crashed on 15-01-1960 up on the Beardmore Glacier in Antarctica.
I've got some more pics of NZ6010 "on ice" somewhere but cannot find them at the mo.

The example in the RNZAF Museum at Wigram marked as NZ6001 is ex ZK-CMW (c/n 1084) and the flying example based at Ardmore also painted as NZ6001 is ZK-CKH (25).

Mit gains 2/3'ds of a fish and the first Anonymous is worthy of 1/3rd.
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Major restoration at Taieri.

August 20, 2015, 3:58 am
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Below is a link to the pending restoration of the Union Airways/National Airways/Otago Aero Club hangar at Taieri.
As published today in the Otago Daily Times
Above is view of the hangar in its National Airways Corporation titles in 17-01-1975 with the Otago Aero Club flight office hidden by the nose of Tiger Moth ZK-AKC.
Below we see the same scene but on 01-04-1985 with ZK-AKU cluttering the view.
The leading photo from the ODT article is actually the Lockheed 10 ZK-AGK "Kaka", not a lodestar.
But I won't hold that against the ODT
This dates their photo before 23-10-1948.
Thanks to Ross Marfell for the heads up on this one.


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The future of ZK-ANL

August 20, 2015, 8:26 pm
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ZK-HIP on lease up North.

August 21, 2015, 1:08 am
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The McDonnell Douglas 369FF ZK-HIP4 (c/n 0058FF) is registered to Helisika Agricultural Ltd but is currently on a multi week lease to Heli North of Dargaville to help with spraying duties.
Pic taken today by Jean210.
This helicopter has been mentioned several time before.
To check these  - enter ZK-HIP in the small search box towards the top left hand corner of the blog header page
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Wellington Helicopters.

August 21, 2015, 1:58 am
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ZK-CAK

August 22, 2015, 3:14 am
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The Cessna 185 was a Cessna 180C with a strengthened airframe, a third side window, six seats, an enlarged dorsal fin and a 260hp Continental IO-470 engine. 
The prototype N34272 first flew in July of 1960 and the first production deliveries were from March of 1961.
The first of this model to reach New Zealand was the seventeenth production aircraft c/n 185-0017 which had been allocated the US registration of N9817X on the production line at Wichita, Kansas -  but instead became ZK-CAK for listing with Rural Aviation Ltd on 08-05-1961.
It first flew in NZ on 02-07-1961.
After a brief period as a demonstrator it went on line with Golden Coast Airways Ltd of Nelson
Below - seen at Nelson after delivery.
Photo from the Steve Lowe collection.

It did its first paper run from Nelson to Westport on 04-08-1961.
Below from the Des White collection we see ZK-CAK in its new colour scheme.
and is seen below at Wellington in March of 1964.
Its next move was up to Wairoa to Cookson Airspread Ltd.
It suffered some damage at Wairoa on 17-07-1965 but continued flying until being withdrawn in 1979.
The pic below comes from the CMM collection and shows ZK-CAK at Wairoa with Cookson Airspread Wairoa and Sky Service markings.
Below - the same scheme also at Wairoa from Allan Wooller.
Followed  by several more photos from Allan Wooller's collection.
Below in 1968 at Hastings.
Then below - at Gisborne on 11-12-1970 with Cookson's Cessna A188 ZK-CSL behind.
Below at Hood in 1975 in its new colour scheme.
Then two views if it at Feilding on 02-09-1979.
Next listed owner was Air Services Manawatu Ltd of Palmerston North from 09-05-1983.
It suffered some damage landing at NZPN on 10-07-1983 and then had an ownership change to C B Daisley of Palmerston North from 03-08-1983.
Langslow Aviation Ltd of Waipukurau took it on from 27-10-1988.
Another incident occurred at Otane on 11-06-1989.
Below is what I believe to be a Phil Treweek pic showing CAK with large letters on the tail.
It transferred to the Kaikora Deer Farm Ltd in November of 1995 and then to Farmers Air CHB Ltd of Otane on 01-02-2002 and then back to Kaikora Deer Farm Ltd
Then below we see a Peter Lewis pic from 2007.
A photo nicked from Airflite South shows ZK-CAK on the sands of Stewart Island.
And finally a recent view from Tauranga from Hairy Mole Rat taken on 02-11-2014.
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