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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 18, 2009 20:54:49 GMT 12
.... ;D ;D Bonus point to name the pilot?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 21, 2009 22:09:36 GMT 12
After ZK-COW was assembled by AESL, two more Victa kits were put together at Hamilton for export back to Australia before c/n 169 was assembled by AESL and became ZK-COX on 7Jul1967. This was another Airtourer 100 for the Rotorua Aero Club and was painted white with blue trim. At some stage a dayglo kiwi was stenciled on the port side of the fuselage just below the windscreen (see photo below) - was this significant? ZK-COX crashed north of Lake Whakamaru 23Sep73. Pilot G Low. At the new Rotorua airfield 25Nov1967:  As an interesting nugget of information, 'ZK-COX' also used by Beech Baron VH-WLC on parrot smuggling flight Wondai (Brisbane)-Matamata-Wondai 23/24May93. The next Victa kit assembled at Hamilton was Airtourer 115 c/n 170 which became ZK-COY 27Jul1967. Delivered straight to the Northland Districts AC, at Whangarei it served with them until it crashed at Pakotai, Whangarei, 1pm 7Jul72 @ 3167hrs. Pilot Allan Edward Ball. The registration was cancelled 18Jul1972. ZK-COY at Kerikeri airfield 30Dec1967 when almost new.
Don Noble photo At Wanganui 1Jan1970
Don Noble photo The last two Airtourer kits assembled by AESL must have been less complete, and although previously allotted the Victa c/ns of 171 and 172 were completed as AESL Airtourer 115s with new c/ns 501 (ZK-COZ) and 502 (ZK-CPA). I show these here for completeness: ZK-COZ went to the Otago AC registered 19Sep1967 first flight 12Oct1967, to R T B Lloyd, Christchurch 2Dec1971 and finally to C R McAllister & E H F Curry, Christchurch 4Jun1975. It crashed on t/off Lake Sumner strip 25Mar78. At Taieri while with the Otago AC: Meanwhile ZK-CPA was first flown 2Nov1967 and registered to the New Pymouth AC 14Nov67, sold to E G Wills, Waitara 20Dec1973, to J C Griffin & J Stevens, Wanganui 8Nov1976 and to J C Griffin, Wanganui 18Jul1978. It crashed near Wanganui 13Mar79. At the new Rotorua airfield 25Nov1967: During Airtourer production, Victa had been working on a four-seater development of the design and had complete a prototype 210CS Aircruiser and flown it as VH-MVR c/n 07-1 on 17Jul1966. This aircraft was part of the package bought by AESL and arrived in NZ 4Dec1969 and was registered to Aero Engine Services Ltd., Hamilton as ZK-DAH 3Dec1969. The Aircruiser was hired to the Mercury Bay AC for some period starting Nov1972. AESL changed its name to NZ Aerospace Industries Ltd. and ZK-DAH was re-registered to that owner 28Apr1975. The Aircruiser was eventually sold back into Australia as VH-MVR, the New Zealand registration being cancelled as from 20Nov1978. At Rukuhia 1Sep1976, when it was painted yellow and black: That, folks, is the end of the Victa run. Anyone who can constructively add to or amend the above is welcome to post further details in this thread. It's been a marathon - I'm outa here. |
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Post by shamus on Nov 22, 2009 11:30:10 GMT 12
A couple of photos of Aircruiser ZK-DAH. First a black & white taken at Rukuhia, and then a colour one taken not sure where.   Look forward to the start of the AESL Airtourers. |
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Post by corsair67 on Nov 26, 2009 22:11:09 GMT 12
This has been a most informative and interesting thread, and has kept me entertained for more than a few hours. Thanks Peter and Shamus for all your contributions.  |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 8, 2009 21:46:28 GMT 12
As noted above, Airtourer ZK-CDO was WFU & stored at New Plymouth in 1978 and then went to Nelson for rebuild as simulator cockpit by Isaac Neuman at Wakefield. I have now received some photographs from Isaac showing the cockpit 'as received'  and then 'as completed'  An overall view of the completed project  He also notes (on 5th December) "We just yesterday have moved it to the 23rd Sqd of Nelson ATC - it will be operated there for the boys to have a hands-on, and train some pilots too. " A sterling effort. |
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Post by chinapilot on Dec 12, 2009 5:21:11 GMT 12
Evidently a few went to the UK...these arrived at our strip the other day...  |
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Post by oj on Dec 12, 2009 20:44:48 GMT 12
A significant number were shipped in crates to the UK distributor, Glosair Ltd.
Probably about 10 or 12. They were etch-primed and painted in grey undercoat.
The Engineers Union were in dispute with AESL at the time, as the staff did not want to join the union, so the Union indicated it might be unfortunate for AESL if one or two crates met with an accident on the Auckland wharves!
OJ
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Post by chinapilot on Dec 14, 2009 5:51:01 GMT 12
This sticker has lasted the test of time...  |
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Post by shamus on Jan 3, 2010 21:50:45 GMT 12
I have taken the liberty of posting this shot of DAH in a different colour scheme taken out of 'willys43' photo in AG-DAK photos, as I think it needs to be in this thread. Their are very few photos of the Aircruiser around so it is important that it be seen in all its schemes. I hope willys43 approves.  |
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Post by shamus on Feb 1, 2010 20:10:25 GMT 12
A couple of photos of ZK-CMF in its current colour scheme as it appears on Trademe for sale at $60,000 at the moment.   |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 1, 2010 20:33:18 GMT 12
CMF looks great in that scheme - wish I had a lazy $60 000!
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Post by nzav8a on Feb 13, 2010 10:29:16 GMT 12
ZK-CHF Wanganui December 1994  ZK-CDN Wellington January 1969  |
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Post by nzav8a on Feb 13, 2010 19:44:35 GMT 12
ZK-CFJ Rukuhia 1964  ZK-CDN Ardmore March 1965  ZK-CDQ Rukuhia 1964  ZK-CLF Wellington March 1968  ZK-CLG Rukuhia August 1965  ZK-CMD Wellington February 1968  ZK-CMF Wellington December 1968  ZK-CMF Wellington  |
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Post by shamus on Feb 13, 2010 20:36:19 GMT 12
Wonderful photos, nzav8a. Many thanks for posting them.
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Post by nzav8a on Feb 16, 2010 18:13:45 GMT 12
ZK-DAH Christchruch November 1977  |
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Post by thomarse on Jun 1, 2010 15:47:28 GMT 12
Okay folks, here's my first attempt at posting a photo. I was never a great photographer, but this one's worth seeing....  CLF at the old Franz Josef strip, 20 April 1968. The individuals involved: the one leaning on the wing is still flying ATRs for Mount Cook, the tall one in the Mount Cook Skiplane uniform is a frequent correspondent here if he cares to put his hand up! Note the ancient fuel pumps and the falling-down West Coast Airways open-fronted hangars. Pure nostalgia! |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jun 1, 2010 22:42:02 GMT 12
Nice one.
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Post by chinapilot on Jun 4, 2010 9:27:59 GMT 12
Good one tomarse! Those old Kodachromes are beautiful...[everyone who sees it thinks it's my son :-)]
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Post by aussieo2 on Jun 4, 2010 17:05:19 GMT 12
Can I ask why a lot of the Victa's do not have a prop spinner? I can not remember ever seeing a Victa in VH land without one (in the same time frame). Just curious, good thread and interesting photos, as usual..
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Post by corsair67 on Jun 4, 2010 19:28:02 GMT 12
Thomarse, no need to apologise for the quality of your photography skills, as that is such a wonderful shot anyway, just for the subject matter alone.
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