KP Models Cessna "Bamboo Bomber" ZK-ART

[harrysone]

Was looking for a local context to build KP model's 1/72 Cessna Bobcat kit

Then I found it...ZK-ART. The NZ Government bought 2 Bobcats for the Works Dept from USAAF stores in 1948, These were to be ZK-ART and ZK-ARS. As the story stands only 'ART was ever flown, once at Mangere Aerodrome and again on ferry to Wellington so that the aircraft could gain certification with the Air Dept. On arrival it was found that the wooden wing spar and other structures were rotten & cost to repair it deemed too great. 'ARS never flew in NZ and it would seem that somebody must in turn have felt like a great "ARS" for not having done their due diligence at the time both were acquired

Not a bad wee model, builds easily, however the main wheel landing gear struts need to be shortened considerably.

IMG_7380 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7391 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7446 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

[harrysone]

from Aeropedia.com.au

aeropedia.com.au/content/cessna-t-50-bobcat/

"Two were imported to New Zealand. It seems after World War II the New Zealand Government bought a shipload of war assets from the Pacific area, and included were two Cessna Bobcats which had been used as communications aircraft in the Pacific region during the war by the US services. They had never been hangared and spent most of their lives in the tropics in the open. Records show that Certificates of Airworthiness were issued to two Cessna Bobcats ZK-ARS (c/n AC.3668 – ex 42-58176) and ZK-ART (c/n AC.3667 – ex 42-58177) which were registered on 27 April 1950. One had artwork ‘Forever Amber’ on the nose.

In 1948 Aircraft Service (NZ) at Mangere took delivery of the two Bobcats on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority. They were shipped from Fiji on the vessel ‘Wanganella’ and prepared for civil service, eventually to be based in Wellington. A number of flights were made by the local CAA surveyor with staff. However, when the delivery pilot from the Public Works Department prepared to fly the first aircraft to Wellington he found a section of fabric had come adrift from near one of the engines. Repairs were effected and the aircraft was flown to Paraparaumu. However, there it was found the flaps were jammed. The next day the aircraft continued on to Wellington and was delivered to de Havilland for a major overhaul. Subsequently it was found the centre-section spars were water damaged and, as the cost of repair was too great, it was decided to scrap the aircraft. It was shipped back to Mangere through Onehunga and for many years the one-piece wing hung on the wall of a hangar.

The second aircraft was stored in the open for many years and broken up around 1952. One of the Jacobs engines was used to replace the Continental radial in the Auckland Aero Club Beech 17, the original Jacobs unit having been replaced by a Continental radial from a Sherman tank during World War II. It is believed the remains of these aircraft, three of their engines, and other aircraft parts were buried near Mangere Airport."

[Dave Homewood]

Nice work!

[Antonio]

Couldn't resist   


Photo:  MoTaT

[markrogers]

Great work!

[Antonio]

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