Whatever happened to the Yankee Zephyr?

[Dave Homewood]

What exactly happened to Dakota NZ3518 after the film Race For The Yankee Zephyr was made?

There was a lot written about the aircraft's use in the film in NZ Wings at the time. But the last article I have, written some months later, it states that the aircraft was still in the Queenstown lakeside awaiting a decision as to whether it would be preserved or whatever.

Was it removed from the beach? Was it broken up? If so, was the cockpit or engines or any useful parts kept?

The aircraft was still airworthy, though tired, at the time it was sunk into the lake. I'd hater to think the entire aircraft was destroyed just for a film.

[Peter Lewis]

According to a note I have, the cockpit section went to Wigram:
"ZK-BEU - Last flight 29Oct80. WFU at end of CofA. Used in film work on Lake Wakatipu Nov/Dec80. B/up 1981. Reg canc 8Apr81, cockpit section to RNZAF Museum"

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter. I wonder if they still have it. The 'Yankee Zephyr' nose art was great, and it'd be neat to see on display. I wonder if it could be displayed at Omaka for their movie themed airshow? Dave! Allan!

[Radialicious]

The cockpit of ZK-BEU was saved. I'm not sure where it is now but I do wonder if it is the one up in the rafters at (TGI) Fridays bar in central Chch.

[skyhawkdon]

I remember the complete aircraft (minus engines) "moured" at Kelvin Peninsular in Lake Wakatipu for several months after the film was made. It was floating about 100m off shore (not sure how it was floating but I think it had rafts of 44 gal drums under the wings and fuselage). I remember jet boaters were skimming over the partially submerged wings! We cruised around it in a jetboat but weren't game to do any wing walking! From memory the airframe was stuffed when sold by Alpine Helicopters (it had been used for carting deer around the country) to the film company and it was only authorised for a few hours flying for the movie before being scrapped.

[Dave Homewood]

Indeed it was stuffed, but still it's a shame that such a historic airframe was allowed to be cut up after the filming. I'm sure a certain museum at Wanaka would have liked it had they been around back then.