|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 16, 2008 19:34:09 GMT 12
Earlier in this thread I commented
A fellow by the name of J V M Kean had developed a timber export business, and of course obtained payments in overseas currency. Apparently annoyed at the official exchange rate he was given, he started to look around for a more profitable alternative. Somehow, he got hooked into the aircraft market and came up with the idea of using this overseas currency to buy and import aircraft into New Zealand, and then lease the aircraft out to operators. The PL-12 Airtruk turned out to be his aircraft of choice. . . .
The only other aviation activity I can find for J V M Kean was an abortive attempt to bring a Twin Comanche into the country in 1970. This was intended to become ZK-DBB, but never arrived.
I have now acquired some more information on the aviation activities of Vince Kean, and have posted them on another thread to save diverting this one.
|
|
|
|
Post by airtruk on Oct 17, 2008 16:54:20 GMT 12
Gidday Marcus, thanks very much for the leads on the South African Airtruks it makes very interesting reading and hopefully I'll now be able to find out a little more on the types activity there. Wrote to George Orsmond but he doesn't have any idea what happened to the aircraft as they sold it many years ago so will keep hunting and let you know.
As for ZK-ELL, as far as I know it was in storage with James Ross up until a couple of years ago when it was let go to an Australia interest. So sadly I think it may have crossed the Tasman as well. Not sure but have a feeling that it may have gone to Jones Air who operate PL-12's still in Tasmania.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marcus on Oct 17, 2008 22:35:44 GMT 12
Gidday Marcus, thanks very much for the leads on the South African Airtruks it makes very interesting reading and hopefully I'll now be able to find out a little more on the types activity there. Wrote to George Orsmond but he doesn't have any idea Hi Airtruk Have a look at the following thread again. There has been several postings since I last refered to it. You will get a lot more info on the SA PL-12's there now. www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=14154Just as with the Bristol freighter I am finding this thread fascinating. Regards Marcus |
|
|
|
Post by fletcherfu24 on Oct 18, 2008 10:38:31 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 23, 2008 22:15:04 GMT 12
Thought I might work through the listings. I don't have photos of ZK-CWW (Central Aviation/Air Contracts) ZK-CWY (Barr/Air Contracts) ZK-CWZ (Air Contracts) ZK-DMY (Barr) ZK-DNB (Barr HB), so if anyone can supply any of those photographs that would help completion. ZK-CTT c/n 602 ex VH-TRZ was covered at the start of this thread. It was briefly flown in NZ as VH-TRZ. Despite having three owners listed - J V M Kean, Auckland/Transavia Leasing Co.Ltd., Auckland/Barr Bros Ltd., Ardmore - it was only operated by Barr until it crashed on t/off Clevedon 13Dec76. Pilot I Stewart.  ZK-CVA c/n 705 was registered initially to Transavia Leasing Co.Ltd. and leased to Barr Bros from mid-1967 until going to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd., Masterton in mid-1974. They kept it until late 1979 when ownership passed to Broadlands Finance Ltd., New Plymouth who hired it to Farmers Aviation. The lease term was for 12 months, and Farmers Aviation then bought it outright. However the aircraft only survived for less than a further year being DBF in a hangar fire at Hawera 6Sep81. Barr Bros ownership, Ardmore 28Oct1967  Air Contracts ownership, Dannevirke July1976  ZK-CVB c/n 706 was also registered to Transavia Leasing with hire to Barr Bros. from August 1967. When the lease expired in 1969, Barr bought the aircraft. It survived longer than most, with its last flight 6Mar82. WFU at Ardmore - to MoTAT (painted as ZK-DMX) then as ZK-CVB. At Kaipara Flats airfield 12Nov1967   (This last image is interesting, showing two TATCo Fletchers ZK-BIV and ZK-BWV plus James Fletcher ZK-BYC in the backgound).  ZK-CVB at Ardmore On display at MoTAT 16Jun2011 |
|
|
|
Post by fletcherfu24 on Oct 24, 2008 6:13:42 GMT 12
Brilliant pics Peter.......  .The fruits of your misspent youth are much appreciated. |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 25, 2008 15:25:10 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 25, 2008 21:30:20 GMT 12
ZK-CWM c/n 711 Transavia Leasing February 1968, lease to Barr Bros. Sold Barr Bros October 1969. WFU at Ardmore 2February1977 for rebuild as PL-12/T320 and restored as such June 1977 to Barr Bros Ltd., Ardmore. Was this the Transavia PL-12/T320 Tiara prototype? Ownership change to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland June 1980 and reconverted to PL-12 30July1980. Finally WFU at Ardmore 15Apr81. Ardmore 2March1968 Includes a bonus view of the Barr Bothers hangar at that time - it's now just the concrete pad where the Warbirds Dakota gets parked.  Kaipara Flats airfield 1972 ZK-CWN c/n 812 Registered to Transavia Leasing February 1968, lease to James Aviation Ltd., Hamilton for about one month, then lease to Barr Bros. from April 1968 to October 1969. Sold to Barr Bros. at termination of lease. Crashed Wainui, near Waiwera, 23Jun73. There may have been the intention to rebuild as the registration was not cancelled until January 1991. Ardmore 1969 ZK-CWT c/n 812 Transavia Leasing Co.Ltd., Auckland May 1968, lease to Air Contracts Ltd., Masterton - delivered 8June1968. Sold to Dominion Leasing Co.Ltd. November 1969 and leased to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. Oddly enough there was a final ownership change to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland dated 13October1972 but this Airtruk crashed at Masterton 18Oct72. Rongotai May1968
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 27, 2008 20:56:40 GMT 12
Next batch: PL-12 ZK-CWU c/n 815 Registered to Transavia Leasing September 1968, lease to Air Contracts, delivered 23Sept1968. Sold Dominion Leasing Co.Ltd. November 1969, lease to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. Sold to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland October 1969, then presumably sold again as there was a sale back to Transfield (NZ) Ltd. in June1975 (anyone clarify this?). Finally sold to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. May 1977. At Masterton 8May1971 This Airtruk crashed during a forced landing Caledonia Station, 20mls SE Masterton, 28Nov77. Remains seen at Masterton 26November1979 ZK-CWW c/n 816 Registered to Transavia Leasing July 1968, lease to Central Aviation Ltd. Sale to Transfield (NZ) Ltd. December 1970, lease to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. Again, presumably a sale to some other owner prior to a sale back to Transfield/Air Contracts in October 1972. Finally crashed Ngaumu, Masterton, 3Oct74. At Dannevirke 8May1971, port side  and starboard side ZK-CWX c/n 818 Registered to Transavia Leasing September 1968, lease to Barr Bros Ltd., then a sale to Transfield (NZ) Ltd. in December 1970 with a lease to Rotorua Aerial Services Syndicate from March71. Rotorua Aerial Services Syndicate bought the aircraft in April 1974, and then sold it back to Transfield in September 1976. Transfield then sold ZK-CWX into Australia, with owner D Durham, Georges Plains, NSW registering it as VH-HSB in December 1988. ZK-CWX at Rotokawa 1September1976 Someone mentioned glider towing with an Airtruk. I suspect that this was ZK-CWX, and I've been trying to work out the location from these photos:    |
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Oct 27, 2008 21:35:36 GMT 12
The CWZ Glider towing photos are at Ardmore. The first is outside the Flight Engineers Hangar (Later CityJet Engineering...) In the Background are a Bristol Freighter (one of Dwens) and Heron BBM to the right, based on those aircraft the date would be mid 1980s?
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 28, 2008 8:11:32 GMT 12
Yes you'd be right there Bruce.
If you look at the second photo of ZK-CWX you can see the glider tow gear affixed to the rear of the fuselage. Looks like a 3-bladed prop there as well.
I reckon these photos would have been taken at some sort of test flight, as gliders had moved from Ardmore to Drury well before this time. I honestly do not remember this event, although obviously I was there to take the photos!
Timing would have been after it's Rotorua sojourn.
|
|
|
|
Post by mstokes on Oct 28, 2008 10:39:18 GMT 12
Fascinating thread this one... I was most interested to hear that VH-JSO was ZK-DVN and ZK-ERO and spent a lot of her time in New Zealand.
My father was unfortunately in her back spreading in Northern Tasmania in 1991 when the hartzell prop threw a blade and took the engine with it! With a full load he was only able to roll it into a potato paddock and was injured, but credit to the design, it did take a lot of punishment. The booms and wings were all crumpled, yet the cockpit was more or less still structurally intact.
Still some airtruks with Jones Airspread in Tasmania (JSO was one of theres) and another couple operate out of Albury in Southern NSW. All going to museums it seems now...
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 28, 2008 20:26:11 GMT 12
More Airtruks: ZK-CWY c/n 819 First flight in NZ 23Sep68, registered to Transavia Leasing September 1968, lease to Barr Bros. Sold to Dominion Leasing Co.Ltd. November 1969, lease to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. Crashed Pukenui Station 17Jan72. At Dannevirke 2Mar1969 At Masterton 8May1971 ZK-CWZ c/n 820 Registered to Transavia Leasing Co.Ltd., Auckland November 1968, lease to Air Contracts Ltd. Crashed into truck Te Rapa, Hamilton, 13Jun69. Pilot Fred Myers. (I believe that this aircraft was doing a demo at the 1969 Fieldays when the accident happened - in full public view. There should be something in the Waikato newspapers from that date about the accident - hint!). At Masterton 2March1969 ZK-CJQ c/n 926 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland September 1969. Sold to Dominion Leasing Corp.Ltd., Auckland November 1969 and leased to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. (Looks like Transavia Leasing were out of the picture by then). Sale back to Transfield (NZ) Ltd. October 1972, and the sold outright to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd., Masterton in November. This Airtruk crashed at Mataniwi, near Masterton, 27Jul76. ZK-CJQ at Masterton airfield 30June1976 ZK-CJT c/n 932 This Airtruk wa initially registered to Transavia Corp. Pty., Sydney as VH-KLS in October 1970 before coming to NZ as ZK-CJT in 1972, with a first flight in NZ date of 24th November. Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland were the first owners, who sold the PL-12 to James Aviation Ltd., Hamilton in June 1974. They owned the aircraft only briefly, and transferred it back to Transfield in July. Air Contracts (1969) Ltd., Masterton bought ZK-CJT in August 1976, but it went back to Transfield in June 1980. The final owner was D L Hart, Waimate who operated it as Skyfarmer Aviation Ltd. The aircraft was destroyed when the tail hit power lines while spraying, and crashed at Willowbridge, near Waimate, 20Oct85. Pilot Coloman Bolger. Ardmore 28March1978 |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 29, 2008 19:46:06 GMT 12
PL-12 ZK-DMX c/n G352 (what does the 'G' prefix signify?) Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland June 1973, first flight in NZ 14October. Sold to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd., Waipukerau October 1975, flown as Barr Bros (H.B.) Ltd. Last flight 4Jun83. WFU at Ardmore, to Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch. Ardmore 13November1977 - check out that port wing! Parts of ZK-DMX on the Flight Engineer's dump at Ardmore 1988 (also tail feathers off ZK-CVB) ZK-DMY c/n G354 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland October 1973, lease to Barr Bros. DBF during refuelling on strip Mangonui County, Northland, 25Oct73 ZK-DMY under final assembly at Barr Brothers hangar, Ardmore, 29Sep1973 Less than one month later, the burnt out remains at Mangonui 25Oct1973 ZK-DMZ c/n G356 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland October 1973. Crashed Pukenui, Ashley Clinton, 6May74. Pilot Graeme Brough. Restored, sold to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd., Waipukerau May 1975. Sold D L Hart, Ashburton (operating as Skyfarmers) December 1989. Damaged on t/off accident, WFU - on loan to Ashburton Aviation Museum. Ardmore 7July1978  ZK-DNB c/n G361 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland December1973. Sold to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd., Waipukerau July 1974. Spun in & cr Argyll, sth of Hastings, 16Jul74. (The shortest active life of any of the NZ Airtruks). Location unknown, June 1974 |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 30, 2008 20:21:46 GMT 12
ZK-DNC c/n G363 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland June 1974, sold to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd., Waipukerau August 1974. There was obviously some interchange between the Auckland and Hawkes Bay Barr organizations, as the following photographs - taken at two different times - show the Barr Bros Auckland name. Last flight 19Jun78. WFU at Ardmore Ardmore 7February1976  Same aircraft, unknown date, looks like Pukekohe Racecourse strip to me ZK-DNA c/n G459 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland November 1973, sold to James Aviation Ltd., Hamilton April 1974 (used in the Northland area). Sold to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd., Waipukerau March 1977. Cr near Dargaville 10Aug79 Onerahi 21July1976 Ardmore, under Barr ownership ZK-DND c/n G467 - NTU, became ZK-DVN ZK-DVN c/n G467 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland July 1974, sold Farmers Aviation Ltd., Hawera September 1975. Sold Barr Bros (HB) Ltd., Dannevirke May 1976, then back to Farmers in September. Sold Transfield (NZ) Ltd. October 1976, then Air Contracts (1969) Ltd., Masterton July 1977. Sold back to Transfield in March 1978, crashed Tirohanga, near Opotiki, 26Jul78. Rebuilt at Auckland by Transfield as ZK-ERO c/n G998 but MOT insisted on original reg so restored as ZK-DVN to Transfield November 1979 and modified to T-300 standard 4December1979. Sold Ross Aviation Ltd., Rotorua July 1983, and back to Transfield March 1988. Sold abroad to Australia, left NZ 27Apr88. Became VH-JSO with D Jones, Kempton, Tas May 1988. Ardmore 25January1976  ZK-DVP c/n G681 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland December 1976. Operator? Crashed on landing approach, Waiterimu, Waikato, 24Jan79 Ardmore 28January1978
|
|
|
|
Post by mstokes on Oct 31, 2008 11:22:05 GMT 12
Great to see pictures of ZK-DVN and her history. Unfortunately, she only had a couple of years of service in Tasmania before a prop failure caused her to be written off. Fortunately my old man walked away from this one, credit in some ways to Luigi's unorthodox design. jones still use the airtruk today.  |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Oct 31, 2008 13:33:39 GMT 12
Holy Hell!  I bet he needed a stiff drink or 20 after that incident. |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 31, 2008 21:11:17 GMT 12
Indeed a nasty sight.
At least it proves the crashworthyness of Pellarini's design. Have the pilot safe in a rugged capsule while the energy of the crash is dissipated in destroying the wings, tail, undercarriage and other unnecessary bits. The PL-11 ZK-BPV was similarly wrapped up and the pilot survived.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 31, 2008 21:37:19 GMT 12
We are getting there: PL-12-T320 ZK-EKW c/n G785 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland January 1978, operated by Barr Bros Ltd. Converted to to PL-12 31Jul71980. Forced-landed due fuel selector problems Donnellys Crossing, Northland, & DBR 16Nov83 Ardmore 28March1978  and back at Flight Engineers, Ardmore, after the crash ZK-ELL c/n 886 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland March 1979, sold to Barr Bros Ltd. later the same month. Sold to Beard Aviation Ltd., Kaitaia March 1985, WFU at Ardmore 1988. To Hamish Ross' aviation museum at Rotorua. Reported exported to Australia at a later date. Ardmore 13March1979   PL-12/T300A Airtruk ZK-TRT c/n G890 ex VH-UJA Transfield (NSW) Pty.Ltd., North Sydney, NSW from February 1979 to July 1983. To Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland July 1983, lease to Aerial Agriculture Ltd., Te Kowhai. On termination of lease left NZ 17March1989 for Australia where it became VH-AVG with Fred Hampton, Northam, WA - it was w/off, reg canc 23May94 In September 2002 sold Steve Death, Albury, NSW and rebuilt as VH-TRT Ardmore, 1988 ZK-ERO c/n G998 ex ZK-DVN c/n G467 rebuilt, but MOT insisted on original registration. Restored as ZK-DVN (see above). ZK-CJU c/n 1239 Registered Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland February 1973. Sold Barr Bros Ltd., Auckland July 1973. WFU- stored Ardmore. Reg canc 23Jan91. Sold A H Ruddenjlau, Waimate and restored to register 8May2009. Under rebuild to airworthy. Ardmore 28November1973 Ardmore 12May2007 |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 1, 2008 15:57:38 GMT 12
ZK-CJS c/n 1240 This Airtruk was registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland in November 1972 and sold to Air Contracts (1969) Ltd. in December. With the merger at Masterton, it was transferred to the Air Services (1979) Ltd. name in August 1980. Sold to R D Potts, Richmond, Nelson in October 1984, then to E C Andrews, Hamilton in February 1988. ZK-CJS left NZ 5March1988 for Australia, where it became VH-IJS with Hazair Agricultural Services Pty.Ltd., Albury, NSW the same month. It has since crashed, and the Australian registration was cancelled 16January1991. Masterton 16November1979 ZK-DMK c/n 1249 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland in April 1973 and sold to James Aviation Ltd., Hamilton in June. Ownership was transferred to NZ Aerospace Industries Ltd., Hamilton in January 1978 (possibly as a trade-in?) and they sold it to Farmers Aviation Ltd., Hawera in October. This PL-12 crashed near Rahotu, Taranaki, 2Sep79 Hamilton 27March1978 ZK-TRN c/n H0101 (I have no idea what this c/n means!) Registered in Australia as VH-KZN to Transfield (NSW) Pty.Ltd., North Sydney, NSW from 25th to 31st March 1981. Ferry flight as VH-KZN, arr Akl 29Mar81. Registered to Transfiekd (NZ) Ltd April 1981, sold to Ross Aviation Ltd., Rotorua June 1982. Cr Tauranga 25Aug84 Ardmore 8April1981 PL-12/T300A-1 Skyfarmer ZK-TRO c/n NZ108 Registered to Transfield (NZ) Ltd., Auckland May 1982, leased to Kaikoura Agricultural Co-op. Cr & DBF Lowry Peak Range, Nth Canterbury, 13Sep82 Ardmore 2June1982 - test flight    Note the James AgDak ZK-AZA in the background awaiting it's chop-and-channel before going to the Cook Islands  
|
|
.The fruits of your misspent youth are much appreciated.
