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Post by Antonio on Jun 15, 2021 20:46:22 GMT 12
Ex NZ 814 (c/nDHNZ64) and was demobbed in 1946.
To Airlift NZ Ltd, Wellington on 01 October 1954 and converted to topdresser.
Crashed into trees near Ekatahuna on 30 June 1955.
My question was this crash captured on film?
At High School in the mid-60's, we were shown a film that was all about (or included) aerial topdressing.
In it, a Tiger Moth crashed into a very large tree, not captured on film but the immediate aftermath with the pilot still sitting in the cockpit was.
Anyone else see this film?
I assume the film still exists somewhere.
If not 'AIT, what was the inadvertent star?
Over to you, team.
Slainte
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Post by McFly on Jun 15, 2021 21:24:30 GMT 12
This one perhaps...? (ZK-APQ)   Starts at about 1:02min And again here (at about 14:38min) Some additional info on ZK-APQ used in the films above: "Built by de Havilland New Zealand at Rongotai for the RNZAF it was brought on charge as NZ1428 on 8 May 1942. After serving as trainer with the RNZAF, NZ1428 was sold to the Wellington Aero Club on 13 January 1948 and it joined the NZ civil register as ZK-APQ. At some point prior to 1949, the Aero Club had ZK-APQ fitted with a canopy. ZK-APQ was used by the Wellington Aero Club until December 1953 when it was sold to Airlift NZ Ltd. of Wellington who converted it into a topdresser. On 30 September 1955 was badly damaged in a crash near Masterton while being flown by Otto Gram, who survived. After being repaired and returned to service, ZK-APQ was written off after hitting high tension wires and crashing in the Tararua foothills near Reikorangi, south-east of Waikanae on 1 November 1955. The pilot, Claude Stevenson, survived the crash." The wreckage was used very prominently in the National Film Unit production called "Land from the Sky."
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Post by Antonio on Jun 16, 2021 11:49:44 GMT 12
McFly - Brilliant.
Thanks so much.
1: For the info
2: Putting my mind at ease (I 'aint going potty)
I'm DH afflicted at the moment, updating a very outdated excel library I have acquired.
(another puzzle coming soon)
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Post by thomarse on Jun 23, 2021 19:26:26 GMT 12
Strange coincidence that AIT and APQ both met their ends when operated by Airlift
In the early 60s there was a great heap of ex-Airlift bits and pieces alongside "Mac" McGregor's hangar at PP including an Agricola engine cowling. Many of the Tiger bits had registrations scribbled on them, AIT APQ BEY and BFC all being represented by some bit or other
A while ago someone put up a link to a movie made by someone in the Wairarapa which started with AIT and progressed through every stage of Airlift/Associated Farmers/Bargh and Gardner but I've lost it.
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Post by madmax on Jun 23, 2021 21:56:06 GMT 12
Thomarse, Prior to the Tiger components you mention above going to Paraparaumu they had been stored in a shed across the road from Rongotai airfield. Amongst the pieces was the fuselage of BNC and several wings still carrying RNZAF serial numbers. Miles Robertson bought some of the parts including the fuse of BNC. I've no idea what happened with the rest
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