Cessna 180s in NZ

[Peter Lewis]

Jul 3, 2014 23:29:27 GMT 12 terrynz said:

. . .Cessna ZK-BGL in 1960.
 

C180 ZK-BGL was owned by Aerial Work (Marlborough) Ltd. of Blenheim at that time.

[baz62]

While out at Rangiora on Saturday I spied this 185 parked by a hangar. Apologies for quality, off my mobile.

[terrynz]

Yes, Just doing that now. Turns out, the Pilot was Lance "Snow" Gatehouse. Looks like he had a real interesting life - flying Kittyhawks in the war for RNZAF.And here is another photo I scanned - got the photo from a photosite in the UK of all places! I reckon it's a great photo!

[davidd]

Lance Gatehouse embarked at Wellington for Canada 11/2/44 per MARIPOSA, qualified as pilot 20/10/44 and commissioned with effect from same date. He returned to NZ on New Year's Day 1945, was still at Ohakea with OTU when war ended, so never quite managed to get fully operational. He possibly regretted not having volunteered just that little bit earlier, but we cannot really say. Is Lance still with us?
David D

[terrynz]

Yes, Lance is still around. From what I hear he went to Fiji to fly (helicopters?) there, and now still spends the winters in Fiji. His Brother is a Guide at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/3147269/Aviation-centre-still-flying-high

[davidd]

Thanks for that Terry, so we still have at least one P-40 driver with us!
David D

[isc]

Hi guys, can't find a place to introduce myself, so here goes. Started at the Boy Entrant School, 21 course(last one) 1964, had to leave for medical reasons 1/2 way through the year. Following year joined up with Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd first at Taieri, then Momona, with 6 months in between at Bellblock at the engine shop. Left aviation at the end of the 60s and went to Invercargill and did my nursing training.
When I work out how I'm going to do it, I'll post some photos, Mainly 185s, most of the 180s were gone by then. isc

[kiwiduster1]

Hi isc, Any sign of the 180/185 pics ? Cheers

[isc]

Sorry kiwiduster1, I have not got to photo bucket yet, I'm on dial up, and things are a bit slow.   isc 

[isc]

I'v got these three on photo bucket, BDE, CFI, CHK, now I,v just got to work out how to get them here .    isc

[isc]

I thought BDB sn 30426 was the oldest 180, followed by BDD sn 30463R (I think the R may have been added after a rebuild at Rex Dunedin around 1966/67), but I was looking through the registration list, and found WGT sn 30012, that's 180 number 12, so that one is a real vintage 180, I think it lives near Tauranga. isc

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-WGT at Raglan, 10Nov2007

[FlyingKiwi]

I've seen WGT a couple of times at Te Kuiti (as well as Ardmore), it's in mint condition too!

[isc]

I doubt that it ever had a can in it, I have not found it's history yet. isc

[isc]

It is a nice aircraft, I imagine it has not got the old O-470A that it started with in 1953(if it's an A walk away seems to be the saying), Continental in the USA won't take one for a rebuild.
Before WGT the oldest serial number in NZ was BKG sn 30376, and it's looking good these days. I remember it when Brian Hore had it back in the mid 1960s, we used to get it in once a year for its annual inspection, think it had an O-470J in those days. isc

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-WGT went to South America in 1953 as CX-AZP, and only arrived in NZ in late 2006 (registered 5Jan2007.

[isc]

I found the oldest 180 sn 30002, it was the first one sold by Cessna, 00, and 01 were retained by Cessna for testing, 02 is still flying with a new engine, an O-470U, it looks as though they are going to be around for a long time yet.  WGT doesn't look quite right to me with the pointed spinner,  then again a good few ag machines flew with no spinner, so I suppose it's what ever you want.    isc

[patrickpower]

W.B Easton was a bridge building and general engineer in Dannevirke.His grandsons still run it as Metalform. I was told in 1968 that Easton had just rebuilt the aircraft.It was pristine,new paint with new Cessna decals and placards everywhere. I had my first lessons on Supercub BPA the 6.7th and 14th January 1968.On one of these days Easton who had a gammy leg,asked me to help push BGI out of the hangar.He positioned it with the tail politely away from the hangar mouth,chocked it firmly,started it where it was and then went in to phone in a flight plan and ring a farmer he was off to see. The two young blokes who had come across from Ohakea with my instructor FtLt Newton catcalled."Hey old cowboy,be careful that beautiful horse doesnt gallop off without you!".Easton's neck reddened but he did say a word. Phone calls over he clambered back in, did an engine run up and control checks. More jeering " Hey you dont need to do a full run up before taxi-ing mate!" Easton peered out all around,made a quick traffic call,flicked the chock away and into the cabin by its cord,opened the throttle,turning the tail and prop blast onto the three young airforce types,picking the tail up on the brakes and took off ACROSS the width of the East West at Dannevirke. Some 500 ft or so. Leaped the fence and seemingly moments later pulled straight up into a wing over at probably 150ft before making a run straight back at the hangar at grass height.It seemed he would go through the hangar and the boys were scattering.Last minute pull up and an arse wiggling departure towards the coast. "Who does that old bastard think he is?" exclaimed one of the jet jocks. Ian Bright who had just arrived laconically replied,"Probably thinks he's Easton, W.B. Royal Flying Corp ww1 ace."The Air force guys then realised his photo was on the wall at Ohakea.
As I remember he lied about his age to get into the forces and had some 7 kills to his name.50 years later He used to fly bridge site inspections at low levels over creeks and down valleys. Apparently farmers signed his contracts without quibbling to avoid the joy of another inspection flight. If anyone knnows more about W.B.Easton's war history I'd love to know it.Patrick Power

[The Red Baron]

Easton was also maker of topdressing hopper doors.

I see on another site ZK-CBS is being fitted with a hopper for ag training.It will be interesting to see a 185 spreading again.

[craig]

Can you tell us more about the 185 getting a hopper again