WAW in the late 90s

[ZacYates]

The following are some shots by Eddie Bleackley, Wanganui Aero Work engineer since January 97, of some of the goings-on of the company during the first couple of years he spent with WAW.

Hope you enjoy the snaps

[Dave.K]

Thanks for them Zac, amazing how smooth a new 720 runs after an engine change, the old one with its vibrating slowly grows and pilots got used to it. Best on I saw was the agwagon, it had a 3 inch crack in the case so they stop drilled it and put a couple of PK screws in with a bit of silican,it did its time like that. Another one, a pawnee was overheating, nothing was found to cause it so when it was cold after that the CHT was at minus 50, easy fix.

[Dave Homewood]

Very nice photos there Zac, please thank Eddie for allowing them to be posted.

What do/did they use the Iroquois for?

[ZacYates]

Haha amazing, I'll have to tell the guys at work those stories!

Dave H, the Iroquois was used for heavy lifting. It was sadly lost with all crew in a crash near Taumarunui in 2001.

[fletcherfu24]

Great photos Zac,one assumes SKF and JSW were just passing through?.

[Dave Homewood]

Heavy lifting as in logging? Or machinary? Both? The wocka-wocka looks quite striking in that colour scheme.

I think that red Cresco is the one that used to lead the three-ship Fletchers in the four aircrfat display.

[corsair67]

Great photos there, Zac.

A big thanks to Eddie for taking them.

[ZacYates]

SKF became the second ZK-CMK, still with the company Though sadly in storage at the present time. Being a dual control (FU24A) I imagine it could be quite valuable?

JSW was passing through I believe - apparently those Stallions aren't the quietest little birdies.....still flying I think, with Phoenix Aviation according to CAA.

HJH was used for logging - as it was when it crashed - but also machinery-type-stuff, such as diesel tanks at Turoa skifield, heavy powerpoles etc. And yeah, I always loved that scheme - I have a 1:72 model UH-1H in HJH's scheme . Those stripes were the devil to mask!

I've seen pics of LTV, LTR and LTS in the red Rangitikei Air Services scheme. LTV appeared in that scheme at the 1999 show at Hood Aerodrome, along with standard WAW-schemed LTR (LTP-101) and LTS (PT6A). Sadly the only footage/pics I have of the mixed Cresco/Fletcher display team is Wanaka 94 - Fletchers EGK and DJE, and Cresco LTR in the standard WAW scheme. I'm fairly sure the 1992 appearance at Air Expo was three Fletchers? Would still love to see pics of this four-ship, must ask Don Judd about that tomorrow.