weheka
Squadron Leader
Posts: 105
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Post by weheka on Nov 14, 2007 13:08:39 GMT 12
Anyone know what the rego was of the first Cessna 180 to topdress in New Zealand? Also the date if possible.
Cheers.
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 14, 2007 16:42:46 GMT 12
Any advance on ZK-BDD,1953.?
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weheka
Squadron Leader
Posts: 105
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Post by weheka on Nov 14, 2007 17:46:10 GMT 12
At this stage I would have go for BDB, unless anyones got any other ideas?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 14, 2007 19:23:24 GMT 12
ZK-AZZ Garnham Aviation Ltd., Taihape Dec52
(Did you buy that pic off TradeMe weheka?)
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 14, 2007 19:50:30 GMT 12
The 'Topdressers' have AZZ as 8/1/54.
I went with BDD as it was the first Rural 180,logic would suggest the importer would have used the first one,then BDB,BDC and AZZ would have gone to the customers?
Feel free to ask what the first FU-24 was too........... ;D
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weheka
Squadron Leader
Posts: 105
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Post by weheka on Nov 14, 2007 19:52:12 GMT 12
Flyernzl, yes I did.......must have had a rush of blood to the head, its pretty much impossible to identify which 180 it is. Anyway its possible it may be the first one, someone will know.
I think 180 production started in 1953?
Apparently AZZ had its CofA issued on 6.1.54 ( Rex Garnham had that rego reserved ) and at that time there was already BDB,BDC,BDE,BDF and BDU.
Also AZZ s/n was 30537 and BDBs is 30462.
I certainly don't know for sure which one was first, but would like to find out.
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 14, 2007 20:20:50 GMT 12
Just been back to Trademe and had a look at the photo,it appears to be one of the Manawatu Aerial Topdressing 180's looking at the paint scheme,and given the photographer is from Marton thats a possibility.I have photos of AZZ and BDD infront of me when they were new and its not either of them.
BDB or BDC would be front runners now.
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weheka
Squadron Leader
Posts: 105
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Post by weheka on Nov 14, 2007 20:31:18 GMT 12
FU24, BDB was definitely a Manawatu machine, but the photo I have is with the 1954 scheme. In the Manawatu photo, it is a bit different on the lower cowl.
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 14, 2007 21:01:26 GMT 12
Most of the original Cessna 180 are pictured here www.edcoatescollection.com/ac2/NZBA/NZCivBA.htmlNone however appear like your photo.It would appear to not be a Manawatu aircraft.Pity the photo wasn't dated,it could have been taken later in the '50's perhaps. Interesting his other photo was of the Rural 310's,which may mean the photographer had a stash of old Rural pics?. |
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weheka
Squadron Leader
Posts: 105
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Post by weheka on Nov 14, 2007 21:23:02 GMT 12
Yes I have been looking at Eds photos and have talked to him, but he can't shed any light on it. Also talked to the person that I bought it off, and it was just in a lot of old stuff he got from somewhere, the people had since moved from the district.
My photo is the 1954 scheme. Manawatu appear to have their own paint scheme, so maybe the photo was taken when the aircraft was new and before it changed to the manawatu scheme. Just the lines on bottom cowl are different, top of tail is the same as factory?
Have a look at <www.skywagons.com>
Some of Eds photos show brand new aircraft in the factory 1953 paint scheme, so my photo can't be of the first one to topdress.
Anyway, like you I am interested in anything about aircraft that drop super etc! I will get the photo reframed (keeping the old bits) and hang it on the wall.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 19, 2007 8:37:37 GMT 12
If you really wanted to follow this up, the guy to talk to would be Phil Lightband.
He was Miles King's right hand man, and did the original 'proof of concept' on the use of the 180 in topdressing. He would know exactly what where and when it all happened.
Last I heard he was living in Mangonui (Northland, not Mt Maunganui). Could be worth while tracking him down.
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Post by corsair67 on Nov 19, 2007 15:10:52 GMT 12
Isn't there an article about Phil Lightband in the latest Pacific Wings?
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