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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 11, 2008 21:36:24 GMT 12
As you probably know, Robertson Air Service ran a fleet numbering system with their Fletchers. The fleet number was painted in the rudder in quite a prominent postion, as seen below. The numbers ran from 1 ( ZK-BDS ) up to 17 ( ZK-CRY ), and some numbers were reissued when new aircraft replaced older ones. I am attempting to make up a list of these, and at this time I have three queries: - was number 13 allocated to ZK-CFK ? I have three photographs of CFK taken at different times, and no fleet number is painted on the aircraft in any of them. 13 does not appear on any of the other aircraft. Was someone being superstitious about the aircraft wearing the number, or is there some other explanation? - what fleet number was issued to ZK-CFS ? I have not seem a photograph of this aircraft, and I have no note of the fleet number allotted to it. Anyone out there who can help?  |
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johnh
Squadron Leader
Posts: 118
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Post by johnh on Feb 12, 2008 5:25:08 GMT 12
ZK-EFO was fleet number 3 , then based at Pukekohe & flown by Dick Lloyd.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 12, 2008 22:16:05 GMT 12
Thanks for that info. So we now know that the highest number was 17 (I have now modified the original post).
Anyone any info on the other two queries?
Anyone used to work for Robertson?
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Feb 14, 2008 19:58:52 GMT 12
3 must have been a popular number then,BHQ,CYY and EFO.
Can you put up your list of all the numbers/rego's Peter?.
Robertsons really collapsed at the end,from that big fleet down to about 2 operational units when they sold out to Super Air,must be about 20 years since they folded too?.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 20, 2008 22:35:26 GMT 12
The first group, Fleet numbers 1 thru 10: FN.1 - ZK-BDS (of course)  FN.2 - ZK-BHG  FN.3 - ZK-BHQ then ZK-CYY then ZK-EFO    FN.4 - ZK-BHU  FN.5 - ZK-BIH then ZK-DMT   FN.6 - ZK-BIO  FN.7 - ZK-BVA then ZK-DHY   FN.8 - ZK-BVC then ZK-DHE   FN.9 - ZK-BWD  FN.10 ZK-BYA then ZK-CBA   balance FN.11 to FN.17 to come . . . (I must spend less time on this sort of stuff!) |
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Feb 21, 2008 5:53:33 GMT 12
Brilliant,thanks for the effort and sharing great Fletcher pic's with us.
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pa18
Warrant Officer
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Post by pa18 on Feb 21, 2008 19:24:22 GMT 12
Anyone know the fate of the P40 painting "UmSloppa Gaas" was in the Robbies tea room?
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Feb 21, 2008 20:01:41 GMT 12
The big fire springs to mind.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 21, 2008 20:44:51 GMT 12
The big fire springs to mind. IJun91 - did in at least ZK-BWD, DUF and EUE as well. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 21, 2008 20:51:47 GMT 12
The balance of the fleet numbers: FN.11 - ZK-BSM  FN.12 - ZK-CBB  FN.13 - probably, by a process of elimination, ZK- CFK (see above)  FN.14 - ZK-CFM then ZK-DUI then ZK-EUE  My index tells me I have a photo of DUI, but it's not in the right place in the system. Finding it will be a matter of luck.  FN.15 - ZK-CMJ then ZK-DUF   FN.16 - ZK-CML  FN.17 - ZK-CRY  Still awaiting confirmation on ZK-CFK and any info/photos of ZK-CFS, which was current from October 1963 to January 1965. |
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pa18
Warrant Officer
Posts: 37
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Post by pa18 on Feb 22, 2008 9:45:12 GMT 12
Fire?..missed that
Thanks again for photos Peter.
I can here them warming up on chains on a foggy morning...the smell of super and 100 octane .....freezing swamp fog.....Split Pin waking up with bloodshot eyes like the tail lights of a Customline.... ;D
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Feb 22, 2008 16:36:55 GMT 12
Not long after Super Air took over Robertsons the hangar burned to the ground and took a number of Fletchers with it.
Theres one more Robertson Fletcher too....the unassembled FU-24-954, serial #287,which was later traded with PAC after the Super Air take over and became briefly ZK-FTT.Presumably it was never painted in RAS colours and never numbered.
This has always intrigued me why did Robertsons buy a brand new plane when at the time they were retrenching heavily from a big fleet down to only 2 operational planes when Super Air was formed.They must have had unused Fletchers parked from one end on Hamilton airport to the other by they time they sold out in the mid '80s,so why would you buy a brand new aircraft when you had planes for Africa to spare?,anyone know the reason?.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 23, 2008 8:56:58 GMT 12
I can only assume that Roberston had entered into a contractual obligation to buy the new aircraft prior to the downturn. No doubt, after many good profitable years, they had the capital to complete the contract and thought that the downturn was only temporary.
ZK-FTT was swapped back unassembled to PAC in return for ZK-EGX which was a dual control Fletcher that could be used for training.
ZK-FTT was sold overseas to Thailand by PAC in 1989 as part of an order for six aircraft.
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Feb 23, 2008 14:13:58 GMT 12
Did Guy Robertson own the company right until the end or did he sell out prior to the sell out to Super Air?.
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kiwi1
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by kiwi1 on Feb 23, 2008 19:41:05 GMT 12
I would like to recommened a book '50 Years Of The Fletcher FU24 in New Zealand' compiled by Lou Forhecz.
It has many pictures of the Robertson FU24 Fletchers. Illustrated in B and W and colour pictures and very informative text. I think its still avaliable from the Classic Flyers museum at TG. Would compliment any other Topdresser book on your shelf
Kiwi 1
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 24, 2008 8:21:20 GMT 12
I would like to recommened a book '50 Years Of The Fletcher FU24 in New Zealand' compiled by Lou Forhecz. Kiwi 1 Never heard of that book. Thanks for the tip. Will track down a copy. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 25, 2008 20:44:01 GMT 12
Did Guy Robertson own the company right until the end or did he sell out prior to the sell out to Super Air?. From my 1980 copy of Whites air directory:  Guy is still listed as Managing Director at that time. |
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Post by Bruce on Feb 25, 2008 21:32:07 GMT 12
that was back in the day of air services licensing when each company had a defined "patch". Interesting to see the Cambridge area manager listed as Stuart White. he lived just down the road from me, and I remember borrowing an altimeter from him at one time for a school project presentation (on aircraft - of course!)
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pa18
Warrant Officer
Posts: 37
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Post by pa18 on Feb 26, 2008 10:39:32 GMT 12
Is Stewey White still in good health?
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Post by Bruce on Feb 26, 2008 10:50:16 GMT 12
I havent seen him since I was a little kid (25+ years ago) so unfortunately I wouldnt know.
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