Beech 18/AT-11 Kansan with RNZAF

[tracker]

Dear friends !

The worldairforces.com site reported about one Beech 18/AT-11 Kansan aircraft, which was used by RNZAF.

Maybe, anybody have some images/drawings of this RNZAF plane ?

I shall pleased to see some pictures.

Regards,
Tracker.

[hairy]

Hi there, neither the AT-11 or C-45 (Beech 18) were actually used by the RNZAF but one of each was bought on charge temporarily for the purpose of assembly for other users.

These 2 aircraft were;

AT-11, 42-37208 which was bought on charge and assembled at Hobsonville for Aerial Mapping Ltd in September '43 which became ZK-AHO. This aircraft still survives at MOTAT.

C-45F, 44-47506, bought on charge and assembled at Hobsonville in May '45 for the American Legation in Wellington. (later replaced by C-47 43-48777).

Cheers

[northcro]

My understanding was that a second Beech C45F was also assembled in Hobsonville. It was used as the personal transport of Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley United States Navy when he was appointed Commander of the South West Pacific, basing himself in Auckland soon after he set up office from May 21, 1942. At this time I don't immediately have a serial number for his aircraft. This aircraft was used to fly the Vice Admiral to various parts of New Zealand. After the Vice Admiral moved his base headquarters to New Caledonia the aircraft was later based there and ultimately ending up in the Philippines.

The Commemorative Air Force New Zealand Wing Beech D18S ZK-TEX, a couple of years after it arrived in New Zealand from Wichita, Kansas in 1986 was painted up in the colours of Vice Admiral Ghormley's Beech C-45F because of his aircraft type's association with New Zealand as a tribute to him.

It is interesting to note that the brand new AT-11 for NZ Aerial Mapping was originally built to be used as a bomber/navigation trainer. It arriving at Hobsonville by barge from the Port of Auckland inside a large wooden Oregon crate with its undercarriage folded and wings packed along side its fuselage.

A top secret Norden bombsight which should have been removed and secured before it left the factory in the US, was discovered by RNZAF engineering personnel still mounted in the aircraft. This was regarded as a major security breach at the time causing a major confab with the US Military authorities, especially when the aircraft was destined for civilian use.

[Dave Homewood]

What happened to the bombsight? Was it sent back to the USA or did the RNZAF keep it for training purposes?

Dave, do you know if the CAF's Beech 18 will ever fly again? I used to enjoy seeing it on the circuit, it's a lovely machine, but it seems to have been grounded for many years now. Also what is the status of their Harvard?

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Jun 6, 2010 7:50:26 GMT 12 hairy said:

AT-11, 42-37208 which was bought on charge and assembled at Hobsonville for Aerial Mapping Ltd in September '43 which became ZK-AHO. This aircraft still survives at MOTAT.

I was very privileged to go for a flight in ZK-AHO back in the 1970s with Piet Van Ash. It was still on Aerial Mapping's books then, but only had a few hours left on the airframe and Piet was using it as a personal aeroplane occasionally on the weekends, flying around the Hawke's Bay area. I was cheeky enough to ask him if I could go along for the ride when he was pulling it out of the hangar one day and he said yes.

[Bruce]

Cant say too much at this stage, but dont be surprised if you see another Beech 18 in NZ in the next few years.

[Dave Homewood]

Apart from the two that were in NZ with the US forces, and the NZ Aerial Mapping example, there are other wartime NZ connections with this type. Don Mackenzie, for example, flew them in the RAF in the Hendon based VIP squadron and accidentally tried to land one on a German-held airfield once, but his cool actions saved him and his VIP passengers.

Can anyone else think of other kiwi connections in wartime to the Beech 18?