DH82A ZK-AZQ pic inquiry

[azq]

Hello All

I'm new to this forum. I'm restoring the above aircraft at Omaka and asking if anyone might be aware of any pictures other than the two that pop up as a result of Googling ZK-AZQ please ?


A third picture of AZQ is in the book NZ Tiger Moths (p 54). Reference to its top dressing work is on p82.



I have it's ex RAF and Kiwi top dresser movements history.

As far as the current restoration status - all fuselage components are restored and currently in assembly together with new turtledeck. 2020 saw the overhaul and running-in of a former RCAF GM1C engine that I sourced a few years ago. Wings and empannage are awaiting restoration. As part of its restoration it will be fitted with an original DH NZ side hinging canopy (believed to have been installed originally on ZK-ALJ).

Thank you for your interest.

AZQ

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-AZQ history:

[Peter Lewis]

While with Air Contracts, 1952 - 54
I note it was a two-holer at the time the photo was taken.

[azq]

Peter thank you that's a new one probably taken at the same time (soon after arrival to NZ) as the front quarter shot which pops up when Googled. AZQ looks pristine there compared to the pic in NZ Tiger Moths.

AZQ is also picture and mentioned in detail in Roger Crow's book Flying Low.

I'll post it's full movements history once I figure out how to do so. Again thank you for the pic I'm very grateful.

[Peter Lewis]

Do you have the log books?


ZK-AZQ now a bit less pristine - rigged as a sprayer, Timaru 1960
Love the ding evident at the top of the rudder!

[planewriting]

Here is the brief of the accident occurring on 6 Oct 1961. 143.95.41.247/wikibase/63262 AZQ with c/n 3985 is one of the oldest Tiger Moths to serve in New Zealand.

[Peter Lewis]

And a slightly more informative description of its rather dramatic demise:

"Jack, (a former Mosquito pilot) acquired a Tiger Moth from Auster Air Services at Timaru. This Tiger was originally built for the RAF during WW-II as N6712. After the war it flew in the UK as G-AMMV but was sold to NZ in 1952. Jack had actually traded his Auster for the Tiger because he wanted to do some top dressing on his own farm. The day he brought the aircraft home however, he landed it in one paddock but was concerned that the weather was changing so decided to move it to a more sheltered location however in the strong winds the aeroplane got away from him and was damaged. He had just become airborne again, when a sudden down draught plummeted the plane into the bank of the Ribbonwood Stream, hospitalization followed for Jack. Mum & Dad went and saw Jack in hospital and his face was a mess, it was terrible. His seatbelt broke and his face hit the dashboard. He never flew again. The damaged wings he sold to Bruce Drake but the rest of the wreckage remained on the property until around 1991 until this same Tiger Moth [ZK-AZQ (De Havilland, DH 82A Tiger Moth] was unearthed from the farm rubbish tip at "Leslie Downs", and transported to Blenheim is to be rebuilt by an aviation enthusiast.”


sites.rootsweb.com/~nzlscant/air_personnel.htm#Muldrew

[thomarse]

Gee that's fascinating Peter - I wonder how many regions have documented their airmen in such detail?

[azq]

Peter and others - that's fantastic thank you very much for the information and your family anecdote. Is the date on that picture definitive please ?

That pic seems to be from a similar era to the MOTAT picture with a TEAL DC6 in the background. That pic shows AZQ with a different fin flash registration style and later model pitot tube (kinked not straight). As a hard working top dresser I'm sure it became a "bitsa".

I'm trying to ascertain whether that turtledeck colour might be yellow or a pale blue over silver on the lower fuselage.

The log books are long gone as are the wings/empannage or are they? However I have the original fuselage side frames (though unusable) and some other components that were recovered. The person who recovered AZQ from the dump wrote a detailed description of how it was discovered after so long
On this basis CAA acknowledged the mortal remains as AZQ and hence reserved the registration for my restoration.

AZQ was built as N6712 c/n3975 (Gipsy Major 80897) and took on charge by 10 MU RAF on 17.4.39. It served initially with 10 ERFTS at Yatesbury 5.9.39 before the unit moved to Western-super-Mare on 7.9.40 presumably due to invasion threat at the height of the Battle of Britain. Other wartime movements include Stoke Orchard 28.9.41, to 16 EFTS Burnastan 7.7.42 (interestingly my research shows that this was a training unit for glider pilots prior to the invasion). Finally to 20 MU 27.7.45 for storage.

Sold 31.3.51 to Aerocontacts Ltd Gatwick. Regd G-AMMV (I have a copy of the registration certificate and owner), CofA issued 29.11.51 and regd cancelled 18.1.52 as sold abroad. Regd in NZ as ZK-AZQ 15.5.52 to Air & Mercantile Ltd. Redg to Air Contracts Ltd Masterton fleet No
.2 and CofA issued 19.5.52.

There is further NZ history but I don't know how to paste the image here !

A livery timeline is now starting to emerge based on the 5 pics in existence together with the movements history, which for me is very exciting.

Of course any additional information or pictures would be greatly received for the historical record of this Tiger. Ps have sent you an email with pics of the restoration status.

[braddy]

You’re probably aware but AZQ features in the book ‘Flying Low’ by Roger Crow. He flew it spraying barley for army caterpillar in 1959. Let me know if you can’t find a copy. It’s a great yarn.