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Post by Bruce on May 15, 2019 12:57:51 GMT 12
I note on a Facebook post this morning (That I cant share here unfortunately) that historic Ag-DC-3 ZK-AZL has been moved from Mystery Creek to Te Kowhai Airfield. My aeroplane has a new neighbour! This is a very sensible move after all the effort spent restoring it a few years ago, as no-one could actually see it at Mystery Creek. I know no other details about where it will be assembled and dispalyed, or whether its cover shed will also be coming to protect it from the elements.
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Post by l29 on May 15, 2019 13:22:18 GMT 12
You would hope the roof comes with it otherwise it's no better off.
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Post by starr on May 15, 2019 13:25:27 GMT 12
I must admit that not being able to see it at Mystery Creek was a bit sad for me. I hope that it will be open for the public at Te Kowhai. I have a lot of happy memories of AZL. It was the first aircraft I ever flew in and also the last DC3 I flew. In between was the time spent both loading and flying it.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2019 13:37:43 GMT 12
I note on a Facebook post this morning (That I cant share here unfortunately) For those without Facebook:  Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr I remember reading and hearing a lot about the project to restore/refurbish AZL on WONZ so the comment that she needs a bit of love strikes me as strange, though I confess I've no kept up with the aircraft. |
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Post by planewriting on May 15, 2019 16:19:12 GMT 12
Do we know if there is a change of ownership involved? I could be wrong here but I have been of the understanding it has been in the ownership of the James family (possibly his Lynette).
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Post by madmax on May 15, 2019 17:02:47 GMT 12
Great to see it back among "friends". I first saw AZL on Rongotai when I was "knee high to a grasshopper" in mid 1953 when de Havilland was undertaking some on it. Unsure if they were fitting a hopper or possibly overhauling the engines as I remember my father remarking about the amount of oil they were leaking
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2019 17:22:00 GMT 12
This is a result of a suggestion I made quite some while ago, lmost two years I guess, to Lynnette James when she told me that she was very unhappy with it being locked away at Mystery Creek where no-one could see it. At the same time Dan Readman, one of Te Kowhai's co-owners, had told me they'd like to create a small museum and find an interesting aeroplane as centrepiece. So I told Lynnette this and put them in touch. I am really pleased to see my idea has actually come to fruition.
Lynnette told me that the building they had it in at Mystery Creek was designed to be movable as they always thought they may have to shift the aircraft at some point. So I assume and hope that the building will follow.
There are some corrosion issues that the team plan to sort out and Ryan Cadwallader asked me today to spread the word for any volunteers who would like to get involved in the restoration, get in touch with the Te Kowhai team.
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Post by madmax on May 16, 2019 1:06:29 GMT 12
Great to learn Dan Readman is involved with Te Kowhai airfield. He was one of my students there in the mid 1980s
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Post by planewriting on May 16, 2019 9:15:50 GMT 12
I can answer part of Mad Max's comment:
"Great to see it back among "friends". I first saw AZL on Rongotai when I was "knee high to a grasshopper" in mid 1953 when de Havilland was undertaking some on it. Unsure if they were fitting a hopper or possibly overhauling the engines as I remember my father remarking about the amount of oil they were leaking"
The hopper would not have been installed in 1953.
The wider picture of its history is: The aircraft served in the RNZAF as NZ3545, and along with the majority of its type, went to NAC where they were to be progressively converted into airliners and freighters. From an early Whites Directory I see it was given the name "Kuaka". As fate would have it, ZK-AZL was the last in line for conversion however before that took place, the maintenance hangar at Milson (Palmertson North), in which the conversions took place, burnt down, in October 1953. In the absence of a facility, AZL's conversion plan went out the window. Soon after, the RNZAF came knocking, "can we borrow AZL to use as a baggage aircraft for the Royal tour coming up in December '53 / January 54?". "Yes said NAC and handed over the aircraft, still in RNZAF livery. At the end of the tour, and with still no conversion facility, AZL resumed its wait. A while later Ossie James came knocking at NAC's door, asking "I'm looking for a DC-3 to use as a topdressing aircraft". "Have this one, pointing at a forlorn AZL" said NAC. So, AZL joined James Aviation as "Highland Duster" and entered service in a quasi civil livery which retained the RNZAF cheet line.
A few years ago, I sent a copy of Civil Aviation's ZK-AZL registration card to Lynette to mount in the aircraft. Can someone confirm whether or not it has been put in the aircraft. In need I can supply another as I believe it is a significant part of its history.
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Post by Luis 'ᚭᛋᛒᛁᛅᚱᚾ' Rozas on Jun 10, 2019 12:27:33 GMT 12
Here is but one of far too many AZL shots, I was allowed to get up and personal and opted to use the opportunity to get different angles and lighting. flic.kr/p/2gbyfoQflic.kr/p/2gbyQMd - quick second photo. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 10, 2019 15:32:55 GMT 12
Super photos there Luis.
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Post by hardyakka on Jun 10, 2019 18:17:39 GMT 12
I was out there over the rainy weekend. Caught AZL under a rainbow.  Tried to do a "Pot-o-Gold" onto the cockpit shot but was defeated by a combination of poor phone camera and fast-changing lighting as the rain-clouds passed through, driven before a blustery westerly...  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 10, 2019 18:22:25 GMT 12
Nice work Evan.
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Post by camtech on Jun 8, 2024 17:59:30 GMT 12
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Post by chrism on Jun 8, 2024 20:25:29 GMT 12
Yes, my brother (who manages the museum) has been meaning to post some information about this but hasn't had a chance yet. It is now owned by the Classics Museum, the land it was on at TeKowhai is being developed and it had to go so the museum took it on. It's condition really has suffered but the Museum will tidy it up a bit and give it a fresh coat of paint. It is a long term project and eventually they plan to have it undercover. |
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Post by camtech on Jun 8, 2024 20:36:59 GMT 12
That's good to hear, Chris. Just spotted her when I was there for lunch today.
It's a cool museum, with some rare and interesting vehicles on display.
Small world, eh, Chris.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 11, 2024 10:46:43 GMT 12
So the museum has bought the aircraft from the Ossie James Trust? It's not just on loan?
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Post by chrism on Jun 13, 2024 20:15:54 GMT 12
So the museum has bought the aircraft from the Ossie James Trust? It's not just on loan? That's correct Dave, a deal has been done with the relevant parties and the museum owns it. Sitting on tarmac with a roof over it's head eventually should help it last many more decades hopefully! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 13, 2024 20:17:36 GMT 12
Excellent to hear.
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Post by chrism on Jun 13, 2024 20:18:18 GMT 12
That's good to hear, Chris. Just spotted her when I was there for lunch today. It's a cool museum, with some rare and interesting vehicles on display. Small world, eh, Chris. Haha small world alright. Must catch up again soon. The museum is fantastic and will only get better! |
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