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ZK AWP
Jan 1, 2014 10:02:16 GMT 12
Post by brendanodell on Jan 1, 2014 10:02:16 GMT 12
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pvsjetstar
Flight Lieutenant
email: rassie6@optusnet.com.au
Posts: 97
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Post by pvsjetstar on Feb 3, 2014 16:49:30 GMT 12
There's actually four of the ex RNZAF, ex NAC DC3s still operative around the world: ZK-AOH ex NZ-3557 is still operative in Indonesia as PK-NDG (one of 4 DC3s that had the same markings 'RI-001' and were used for undercover work to/within Burma (Myanmar). ZK-AQP ex NZ3538 is still operative in Florida, USA (Mosquito sprayer) as N146RD (Turbo Props) ZK-AWP ex NZ3543 just arrived back in NZ from Tonga. ZK-AWQ ex NZ3546 is still operative as N81907 with Dodsons, Rantoul, Kansas (Turbo Props). This one was cancelled from the US register in Dec 13 but is still airworthy. Not bad for 70 year old machines!
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ZK AWP
Feb 3, 2014 20:05:18 GMT 12
Post by planecrazy on Feb 3, 2014 20:05:18 GMT 12
ZK AWP on Lord Howe Island
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ZK AWP
Feb 11, 2014 14:30:45 GMT 12
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Feb 11, 2014 14:30:45 GMT 12
Wanaka airshow's DC3 has seen a lot of historyBy MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax NZ News | 2:17PM - Tuesday, 11 February 2014FLYING THROUGH HISTORY: The DC3 — ZK-AWP.A PIECE of unrivalled aviation history is back in New Zealand — a 69-year-old Douglas DC3 still flying commercially.
ZK-AWP, which will fly at Easter's Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow, is the last flying example of a Royal New Zealand Air Force DC3, the last flying National Airways Corporation (NAC) plane and the last flying example of a Fieldair top-dressing plane.
And along the way it has had adventures.
Warbird organisers say the plane was built in 945 in the United States and left for New Zealand the day the Soviet Union seized Berlin.
It was assigned to 41 Squadron RNZAF until 1952 and its duties included flying servicemen home from the war.
It became an NAC passenger plane in 1953 flying domestically, before being used to service Samoa, then a New Zealand colony.
In 1973 it became a top-dressing plane, dumping superphosphate across farm land.
In 2000 it was sold to Pionair Adventures for charter work around Australia and New Zealand.
In June 2002 while attempting to take off in deep snow at Mount Cook the aircraft skidded off the runway and was substantially damaged.
Then in 2004 the then Crown Prince Tupuoto'a of Tonga (later the late King George V) chartered it to set up a domestic airline in the kingdom.
His Shoreline company, which owned the airline, was deeply unpopular.
When riots broke out in 2006 in Nuku'alofa, Tupuoto'a properties were targeted.
Eight rioters died when the Shoreline headquarters were destroyed.
Fearing an attack on the DC3, it was locked in a hangar — and spent the next three years in it.
Air Chathams then bought it and restored it to air worthiness.
In 2010 it began flying scheduled passenger services again for the wholly owned Air Chathams subsidiary, Chathams Pacific. That operation was closed last year when the Chinese Government gave Tonga several aircraft.
The aircraft was then flown back to New Zealand in December.
“Now 69 years later, it remains in commercial service and represents a very important part of Kiwi history,” Warbirds say.www.stuff.co.nz/national/9708899/Wanaka-airshows-DC3-has-seen-a-lot-of-history
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ZK AWP
Feb 11, 2014 17:50:21 GMT 12
Post by aeromedia on Feb 11, 2014 17:50:21 GMT 12
Great news for Wanaka this Easter. What a pity with AMY just parked up, that we were maybe "that close" to enjoying THREE DC3's at Wanaka this year.
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ZK AWP
Feb 11, 2014 21:44:12 GMT 12
Post by harrysone on Feb 11, 2014 21:44:12 GMT 12
I think that they are lucky to just have one DC-3, as far as I'm aware DAK was not attending
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ZK AWP
Feb 12, 2014 6:30:46 GMT 12
Post by aeromedia on Feb 12, 2014 6:30:46 GMT 12
Interesting. That'd be the first time in many years.
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ZK AWP
Feb 12, 2014 16:29:19 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Feb 12, 2014 16:29:19 GMT 12
My thoughts exactly, Peter. Must be the first ever WOW without DAK?
I read somewhere the Fly DC3 team weren't able to do flights along the way to pay for the trip, I'll try and link to it as I don't want to spread incorrect info. EDIT Found it, the following was posted by Andrew Shelley at the Wanaka Facebook page: "Indeed, as President of Fly DC3 NZ Inc, I can state for a fact that ZK-DAK would be there if we could fly scenics to help recover our costs. On the Monday we would need to be flying our passengers back home to Ardmore, as they all have to be at work on Tuesday, so rides day doesn't work for us. Imagine a fly-by with multiple DC3s! How cool would that be!"
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ZK AWP
Feb 26, 2014 11:41:53 GMT 12
Post by Mustang51 on Feb 26, 2014 11:41:53 GMT 12
Talking about needing parts makes me sad to think that all those years ago I bought all the RAAF C.47 spares on behalf of Dixie Air Parts in Texas. Think it was some 20+ 40 foot containers we shifted from the former RAAF Air Depot at Dubbo. All brand new parts. ARDU was still operating the type but the bean counters sold the bits before consulting with ARDU. Lots of consternation in the camp there and a long story about an ARDU C.47 running on the ramp with a load of troops to pick through the bits then being told by the Edinburgh Base CO to shut down and not to fly to Dubbo.......... and lines of Matra missiles from Mirages all lined up on pallets that I could have pinched......At least Aeromedia had some benefit out of that lot....
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ZK AWP
Mar 3, 2014 4:10:03 GMT 12
Post by aeromedia on Mar 3, 2014 4:10:03 GMT 12
And sincerely appreciated too Pete !
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ZK AWP
Nov 18, 2015 15:50:12 GMT 12
Post by brendanodell on Nov 18, 2015 15:50:12 GMT 12
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