RNZAF DHC Beavers

[Toby]

(Before I write this i would like to say i pretty sure no one has made a tread about this or if you are supposed to post these types of threads on this page). So right now i'm doing a project on expeditions to Antarctica for school. And right now i'm doing a bit about what the RNZAF (or NZDF in general) has done or is doing in Antarctica. I know the RNZAF used DHC Beavers in Antarctica. But that us basically all i know about the RNZAFs use of the beaver. I wounder if anyone can give me any information about the Beavers in use with the RNZAF in Antarctica (Like how many were used, What Squadron's did they serve with, Are Any still around, ETC). Thank you anyone who has any information that they can give.

[Dave Homewood]

The RNZAF used one Beaver, originally serial numbered NZ6001 till it was realised that number had previously been allocated to the RNZAF's first Meteor, so it then became NZ6010. It crashed on the ice and is still down there buried.

And they used one Auster T.7 Antarctic, which is now in the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

They were in their own special unit, the RNZAF Antarctic Flight, rather than part of a squadron.

[Dave Homewood]

And since those two aircraft the RNZAF has also taken Iroquois helicopters on occasions and Hercules regularly down there, and the Orions and Boeing 757's have also visited on occasions.

Plus numerous RNZAF personnel have been posted in to the US Navy unit VX6 down there on special exchanges.

Have a listen to my interview with Peter Tremayne to get a good account of working down on the ice and training in NZ with the Antarctic Flight:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2015/07/episode-82-peter-tremayne/

www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2015/07/episode-83-peter-tremayne-part-two/

Peter is a member here on the forum so can possibly answer questions if you have any.

[Toby]

Thank you so much. 

[The Red Baron]

ZK-CKH wearing the colours of NZ6001 at tauranga airport a couple of weeks ago.

[Antonio]

Interesting image on eBay (that I am bidding on)
Shows NZ6001 and a Devon on the southern end of Wellington Airport.
Image would place it behind the SAFE operational area, with the NAC hangar in the background.
Interesting that there is a tent in background.
Anyone know the significance of it - an exercixe of some sort.
Love the 'tie-downs' againt the Wellington breeze.



Thought. Given the weather - the opening of the airport???

(Same guy is also selling 7 x 35mm negs of Rukuhia graveyard aircraft so I have chucked my hat in the ring for them too. Will keep you posted).