Callair B-1

[avagwhiz]

Have found 2 slides of CRC-1 taken around Aug71-white fuse except rear third and all tail is
red,with red spinner-no idea whereabouts.2nd one is at Omarama -all fuse white ,tail half red half white-wings half white then outer half red.It was carrying a very large spreader underneath but no spinner-this one taken Sept might be 73?.Also located CRA
with CRB in background Air Contracts Ltd Masterton 67? and CRA again June76 2 shades yellow front half and all silver from behind the cockpit-dont recognize the airstrip.In this one it looks tired.

[Peter Lewis]

Got back from warmer climes OK, survived Air Pacific.

Thanks for the additional Callair info, anyone found a photo of ZK-CRB yet?

[thomarse]

My letters from Tim Frederikson don't help much.

On 4 June 1980 he said "CRI is at Central Aviation at Roxburgh with no engine. There's a spare set of wings at Timaru and a prop at Rangiora. It's mine if I want it according to Les Davidson, but I need to get in there before the rascals from Ferrymead.....!"

On 20 December 1981 he said "I've ended up with Pawnees BYY and CND. The rest went to a film company who are breaking them up, CRI was first to go"

Can anyone shed any light on the film company bit? Or what happened to BYY and CND? I guess they were amongst his bits and pieces at Woodend.

Tim ceased ag flying about 1984 I think, and died suddenly in 1995.

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-BYY - Airwork (NZ) Ltd., Last flight 21Apr77. WFU

ZK-CND - Rangitikei Air Services Ltd., Cr Woodbury 6Dec75. Remains sold E Kidman, Wellington 24Nov1978, not rstd. Vandalised while in outside storage at Rongotai, remains dumped.

[thomarse]

Just found another snippet on CRA.

On page 266 of John King's "NZ Aviation Tragedies" there is a good photo of her inverted in a gully, basically intact except that the fuselage is severed just ahead of the tail.

The caption reads "Without pilot Neil Moore on board, this topressing Callair ZK - CRA moved off down the airstrip and crashed into a stream at Orari Gorge, South Canterbury in September 1970"

Except that the date was 30 September 1977, this would appear to correctly describe the demise of CRA

[Peter Lewis]

Today I have received a photo of the short-lived and elusive Callair ZK-CRB from Lou Forhecz.
This shows the Callair at Pahiatua in November 1966, and was taken by Don Selby.
It has been added to the entry for CRB in the thread.

Thanks Lou.

[dakman]

H i Peter nice the pic of CRB from Don think he still lives in Pahiatua
My shots are just b/w.Interesting Graeme Millward was flying it
he usually flew CMW perhaps it was for a short time
Have a b/w pic of CRC complete at PN and a colour at Wanganui
minus engine if needed
Have a pic of a BI on assembly at Hamilton,it carried a us number
but I cant recall what it was .
Its probablyCRA or CRB regret I didnt date it
If any use to you will post
Regards ALLAN

[oj]

dakman, We would all like to see the picture of the B1 under assembly at Aero Engine Services.
If there are any staff in the shot, we may be able to identify them.
Any chance?

[Peter Lewis]

Shoot 'em up Allan.
Be glad to include them.

[Peter Lewis]

More Callair photos from dakman:

Unknown airframe under assembly at Hamilton, presumably 1966



Air Contarcts Callair ZK-CRA at Hood aerodrome, Masterton, November 1966



and at work



Air Services (Wairarapa) Callair ZK-0CRB at Masterton October 1966



The collapsing undercarriage problems of the Callair have already been mentioned - ZK-CRB at Masterton November 1966





Callair ZK-CRC of Rangitikei Air Services at Milson, Palmerston North, print dated June 1966 but it did not fly until July?



and towards the end of its North Island career, at Wanganui November 1972



Thanks Allan.

[waimo]

There is bit of a story to how CRA ended up in the gully . at the time i was the loader driver for Neil.

[thomarse]

Thanks Dakman, great shot of the bedraggled CRC; just as I remember her at that time.

I'm positive another was with her up that gully in the sandhills (CRA?) - can anyone confirm?

As per my reply #39, I'm very surprised she ever made it back to airworthiness from that state. Anyone know where/when she was refurbished? I'd suspect Timaru; it seems to have been a haven for Callairs.