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Post by harrysone on May 8, 2020 11:43:57 GMT 12
This wee 1/72 AZ Model Argus has been sitting around looking for an NZ livery... I finally found one for it... ZK-ASZ which was based out of Rotorua around 1947 till 1951 flown by "Hunter Air Tourist"...  Untitled by Harry Follas, on Flickr  Untitled by Harry Follas, on Flickr  Untitled by Harry Follas, on Flickr |
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Post by harrysone on Jan 13, 2022 7:27:06 GMT 12
I've recently come across some more photos of 'ASZ, & have been able to do some additional decals to put my version of NZ's only Argus a bit more into local context  It still need the name 'Rangi' in small script silver font on the cowl, I may have to wait until I can get some Alps decals run off at some stage  IMG_5134 by Harry Follas, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 13, 2022 7:34:28 GMT 12
Given that red and silver colour scheme and the fact it was based at Rotorua, was there any connection to the James Aviation tourism operation there, with silver and red aircraft (Waco, etc)?
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Post by harrysone on Jan 13, 2022 7:41:17 GMT 12
There was an association at some point:
This is from 'Marcus's Old Aircraft Photos' on Facebook
Fairchild UC-61A Argus II, ZK-ASZ.
Originally ordered as Fairchild UC-61A Forwarder 43-14895 for the USAAF it was diverted to Britain under lend-lease and became Fairchild UC-61A Argus II HB622 with the RAF.
After the war HB622 was returned to USAAF on 10 April 1947 and became 43-14895 again.
The USAAF quickly sold 43-14895 as suplus to Solomon Yager of Wooburn in Buckinghamshire and it joined the UK civil register for him as G-AJSM on 8 May 1947.
Later in 1947, Yager sold G-AJSM to Solar Air Services Ltd. based at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire and was registered to them on 9 September 1947.
In late 1948, G-AJSM was sold to New Zealand and it's British registration was cancelled on 1 December 1948 as 'sold overseas'.
After arriving in NZ, the Fairchild was assembled at Mangere and joined the NZ register as ZK-ASZ for A.V. Hunter of Rotorua in February 1949.
Hunter christened ZK-ASZ 'Rangi' and began using it for scenic flights and charters from Rotorua's old Fenton Street airfield under the auspices of the Rotorua Aero Club's 'Tourist Division'.
Unfortunately on 17 April 1949, not long after starting the scenic flights, ZK-ASZ was badly damaged when the engine failed just after takeoff, Hunter attempted to return to the airfield but stalled and crashed just outside the airfield.
After being repaired, ZK-ASZ returned to service on scenic flights with Hunter this time with the titles 'Hunter Air Tourist, Rotorua'.
Not long after, the company name was changed to Rotorua Air Tourist Ltd. and the titles were changed accordingly.
On 8 March 1951, ZK-ASZ was damaged again in another incident with A.V. Hunter at the controls.
Around this time, ZK-ASZ was sold to Blackmore's Air Services Ltd. and it was refinished in their colours.
In September 1951, James Aviation of Hamilton bought out Blackmore's operation including ZK-ASZ.
James Aviation continued to operate ZK-ASZ out of Rotorua for a couple of years until they sold it to B. Hedley of Wairoa.
ZK-ASZ was withdrawn from use after being damaged beyond reasonable repair in a forced landing at Wairoa in April 1957 after an engine failure.
(all photos by Whites Aviation taken at Rotorua's old Fenton St. Airfield unless otherwise noted)
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 14, 2022 9:17:28 GMT 12
Another beautiful job Harry, she's a stunner! Those extra details were worth the effort. I'll need to get one of these to build Graham Orphan's ZK-AUN.
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Post by Antonio on Jan 21, 2022 22:04:59 GMT 12
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Post by madmax on Jan 22, 2022 11:08:15 GMT 12
During the 1980s I delivered an aircraft to a member of the Wairoa Aero Club and while there met a club member who, as a young lad, had been a passenger in ZK-ASZ in April 1957 when it crashed at Wairoa. Regrettably I'm unable to recall his name.
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