Topdressing Super Cubs

[thomarse]

Got BYV as well please Peter?

These two are of considerable interest to me, as I had always thought that they were rebuilt "canless" but on the contrary they appear to have been active with Airwork for several years. This too, well into the Pawnee era although that seems to have had two phases - the 150hp variant had all but gone from the Airwork fleet by the time these two Cubs joined, and the 235hp era was still 6 or 7 months away.

I don't recall either BYV or BYW being reported in the AHSNZ Journal of the time - anyone recall seeing them at Airwork bases?

[planewriting]

Hi thomarse
In the AHSNZ Journal of April 1962 page 70 under the Heading New allocations are both BYV and BYW recorded as being registered to Airwork (NZ) Ltd Chch. The actual date is not recorded however back in the late 1980s I spent many a lunch hour at CAA in Aurora House on The Terrace in Wellington going through their card system filling in such detail in my own records. Referring to them I see I recorded both rego dates as 1 Feb 1962. I see Peter Lewis has on 3 May 20, on this thread, recorded the same registration date. I have flown on one occasion as a passenger in BYV at Matamata Aerodrome, some time in the 1970s with the late Nigel Arkley. I have an idea it was based at Thames at the time.

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-BYV was indeed registered to Airwork on 1Feb1962, and then passed on to F H Desborough, Rotorua in March 1968.
I do not have a photo of it in topdressing config, but I would think that Airwork would not have retained ownership of it for six years as a pet, it would have had to have earned its keep.

The owners from March 1969 to May 1992 were the Hauraki aero club, so PJL that's no doubt where your flights originated.

[planewriting]

Thanks Peter. I remember now, Nigel was at Thames Aerodrome with TATCo. BYV was used by the Hauraki AC gliding section as a tow-plane and Nigel was an engineer and tow-pilot for the Auckland Gliding Club where I knew him. It all makes sense that he and I had flight together at Waharoa in the Cub during a gliding camp. I think he simply offered to take me for a flight - can't exactly remember.

As an aside. So an aircraft, which started out in NZ as zk-BOW kept its royal tradition by becoming c-gHRH

[Peter Lewis]

The PA-18A was designed initially as a specialized agricultural duster/sprayer airplane introduced in 1952; it incorporated as standard a chemical hopper and spray/dusting gear. The PA-18 fuselage was modified to accommodate a hopper door aft of rear wing fittings, removable rear seat substituted, rudder travel increased to 25° right and left and flaps installed to adapt it for agricultural use. It could be flown at a higher gross weight based on operation in the restricted category.

Airwork (NZ) Ltd. was established in 1935 by the Brazier brothers as an aircraft maintenance firm and was based in Wellington. re-established in Christchurch post-war they expanded into civilianizing ex-military Tiger Moths. They used Tiger ZK-ASO on rabbit-poisining operations in early 1949 and then carried out NZ's first commercial topdressing operation using this aircraft on 27th May 1949. Within a few years they were operating an aerial work fleet of Tigers and Austers.

Having just acquired the Piper Aircraft sales agency in 1952, Airwork imported PA-18A-125 Super Cub c/n 18-1279 that year and registered it as ZK-AZJ. This aircraft was fitted with a Lycoming O-290-D engine and undertook its first flight at Christchurch on 20th August 1952.

As a 125hp Cub it was probably a bit underpowered for topdressing work in NZ conditions, but survived 10 years of such work before being pensioned off into private ownership in July 1962. It is still around today, but now apparently boasts 135hp under the hood.

[Peter Lewis]

The second Airwork Cub to arrive was c/n 18-2876, a PA18A Super Cub 135.
This aircraft became ZK-AXH on 5th October 1953.

Unfortunately, unlike ZK-AZJ, this Cub did not last long in service, being destroyed in a crash less than a year later while working on Glenfalloch Station, Rakaia Gorge, Central Canterbury.

Pilot Keith Ballagh was killed in the crash, which happened on 6th August 1954.

[Peter Lewis]

The third Cub to arrive, c/n 18-3713, was also a Cub 135 and this became ZK-BFQ on 30th September 1954.

This aircraft joined the Airwork operational fleet, and seems to have served as both a spray aircraft and a topdresser. 

On 1st July 1959 ownership moved to Robertson Air Services Ltd. of Hamilton and earlier in this thread fletcehrfu24 noted
"<That was intended to> be the Robair Cub. It was going to be operated by one of Robertsons pilots for spraying, in conjunction with Robertsons, but apparently it went pear shaped and the service was never operated, so Robertsons used a Fletcher with a swathmaster as a sprayer instead. Obviously the Cub was chosen as Fletchers didn't appear to have spray booms fitted until the '60s sometime?"

So after that plan failed the Cub moved on to Rotorua agricultural contractor Jack Ashworth in September. It then passed into aero club ownership in the 1960s and crashed at Kariori airfield, Taihape, on 29th May 1965.

ZK-BFQ at Christchurch







and this one is dated 1957

[Peter Lewis]

In amongst the Cub activity taking place at Christchurch, K H Day of Palmerston North reserved ZK-AZK for a Piper PA18A-125 Super Cub in November 1951.
Kelvin Day was the manager of Aerial Farming of NZ Limited, based at Milson.

Although this aircraft never arrived, Aerial Farming went on to operate one of the larger fleets of AgCubs in later years and became the North Island agent for the type.

[Peter Lewis]

The first PA18A Super Cub 150 to arrive was c/n 18-4135, which was registered by Airwork as ZK-BFV  on 21st March 1955.

This Cub worked within the Airwork fleet until it was damaged operating at Culverden 8th May 1957, pilot Ronald Atkinson

Repaired, it crashed again at  Karetu Downs near Hawarden on 24th January 1958, this time killing the pilot Andy Bailey.

Rebuilt once again it passed into private ownership in May 1961 and since then has spent many years as a glider tug at Omarama.

[errolmartyn]

Oct 27, 2020 20:22:25 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

T

Repaired, it crashed again at  Karetu Downs near Hawarden on 24Jth January 1958, this time killing the pilot Andy Bailey.

Andrew Charles Bailey, aged 33.

Errol

[davidd]

Incidentally, the pilot Keith Ballagh mentioned by Peter earlier on this thread (killed in PA-18 ZK-AXH in 1954), was also an RNZAF pilot during WW2, trained on Course 44B at Woodbourne, then flying three tours with 18 Squadron, and a fourth with 20 Squadron, all in the South Pacific theatre.
David D

[Peter Lewis]

The next Super Cub 150 off the boat was c/n 18-4136 which became ZK-BJG with Airwork on 21May1955.

This aircraft seems to have lived an event-free life during its aerial work days before being retired and converted to a Super Cruiser 150 three seater, first flying as such on 21Oct1959.

In this configuration ZK-BJG was then passed on to the Canterbury Aero Club in December 1959.
In the following years it had a number of private owners before being exported to Canada in mid-1999, becoming C-GJGL in September 2000.

ZK-BJG at Mangere in 1955. Well outside Airwork's operational area, so perhaps it was touring the country on a sales drive?



Hard at work



At rest at Harewood

[Peter Lewis]

Now that the Cub 150 was available and proven, more examples were quickly imported.

ZK-BJZ c/n 18-4631 was registered to Airwork on 12Dec1955 and passed on to Vanair Ltd the following August. During Vanair's ownership the aircraft was based at Hastings and flown by 'Red' McNally.
Eventually replaced by Pawnee ZK-CEC, the Cub moved northwards to Cookson Superspread Ltd., Gisborne in March 1964.

However ZK-BJZ was destroyed in a crash at Rangiahua, Northern Hawkes Bay when it dived vertically into the ground and was burnt out shortly after taking off from a farm airstrip during topdressing operations.
The pilot, George Mildon, was killed.

It was becoming evident that the basically docile Cub could become dangerously unstable when the CofG moved well to the rear as commonly occurred during topdressing operations.

ZK-BJZ at Hastings, 1960

[errolmartyn]

Oct 30, 2020 22:47:41 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

However ZK-BJZ was destroyed in a crash at Rangiahua, Northern Hawkes Bay when it dived vertically into the ground and was burnt out shortly after taking off from a farm airstrip during topdressing operations.
The pilot, George Mildon, was killed.

George Henry Mildon, aged 31, killed 27 Feb 65.

Errol

[Peter Lewis]

PA18A Super Cub 150 c/n 18-4638 was registered to Airwork on 12Dec1955 as ZK-BKA and carried out its first flight on the 21st.

The Cub was registered to Harts ATD Co. Ltd., Christchurch, on 5Oct1956. Warren Hart had been operating Tiger Moth ZK-BJQ and obtained ZK-BKA as a replacement.

I have found no mention of Airwork operating this Cub prior to that change of ownership. If they did not, then ZK-BKA would be the first Airwork sale of a new Piper aircraft directly to a customer.

After ten years of use Hart sold the Cub to the Wellington Gliding Club in July 1966, replacing it with Pawnee ZK-CNC.

ZK-BKA has subsequently moved through several North Island owners over the years, mainly being utilized as a glider tug.






At Christchurch, March 1958

[Peter Lewis]

Next out of the box was Super Cub 150 ZK-BKB, c/n 18-4658. Registered to Airwork on 17Jan1956, this one certainly went straight out to  Aerial Farming of NZ Ltd. of Palmerston North, being registered to them on 24Feb1956.

This company morphed into Aerial Farming (Holdings) Ltd, and ZK-BKB worked under their ownership until it struck the ground short of a farm strip near Waipukerau while returning there from topdressing with a full load after a clod of earth had blocked the hopper exit on 17Feb1964.

The pilot on this occasion was Gordon Dalziel, who appears to have survived the incident but retired from ag flying the same month.

The registration of ZK-BKB was not cancelled until 29Sep1965, so apparently there were thoughts of rebuilding the aircraft.  This did actually happen, but the rebuild appeared as ZK-CEX.

ZK-BKB at Wanganui March 1956



and at Milson, Palmerston North, February 1961

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-BKC Piper PA18A Super Cub 150 c/n 18-4647 followed a similar path, being registered to Airwork on 12Dec1955 and to Aerial Farming of NZ Ltd. on 24Feb1956. As with ZK-BKB ownership was later changed to Aerial Farming (Holdings) Ltd.

This Cub is recorded  as being damaged in an incident while operating in the central North Island National Park area 7May1957 while being flown by Vern Hume.

Repaired, it continued in service until hitting a set of 11,000 volt HT power lines while turning at the end of a sowing run at Echolands Road, Taumarunui, on 14Dec1960. Pilot Brian Doughty was killed in the subsequent crash.

ZK-BKC at the agricultural aircraft expo, Palmerston North 9Nov1956



Unknown date/place



At Fielding airfield May 1959

[errolmartyn]

Nov 2, 2020 23:16:57 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

ZK-BKC . . . Pilot Brian Doughty was killed in the subsequent crash

Bryan Albert Doughty, aged 24.

Errol

[Peter Lewis]

Despite competition from the Fu-24, Beaver and C180, by 1956 the Cub was becoming quite a popular agricultural aircraft as it was less expensive to buy than its rivals. Orders for the aircraft were building up.

Aerodress Ltd., the Dannevirke-based Tiger Moth operator took delivery of ZK-BKH. This aircraft, c/n 18-4674, had been registered by Airwork on 30Jan1956 and ownership was passed to Aerodress on 3rd May.

Aerodress merged with Aerial Farming of NZ Ltd. in mid-1957, and as with other aircraft in their fleet Aerial Farming (Holdings) Ltd. became the legal owner shortly after that.

ZK-BKH then operated within their fleet until being sold off to Jules Tapper of Invercargill in April 1966, and is still current in private ownership.

ZK-BKH representing Aerodress at the Agricultural aviation Expo, Milson, 9Nov1956



Now in Aerial Farming livery at Milson 18Aug1964

[Deleted]

I see this being another amazing thread for the historical record. Thank you, Peter.

Oct 29, 2020 19:52:42 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

Hard at work

That is a fantastic photo, I love it!