Union Airways DH 86 at Hamilton

[lemuel]

I'm a collector of historical photographs and am trying to figure out when this one from my collection was likely taken. It was simply but clearly labeled "Union Airways Hamilton". It looks to me like a de Havilland D.H.86. I understand Union Airways flew four of them between 1935 - 1946 but from what I can tell from 1938 newspaper articles, Hamilton was notably excluded from DH86 routes due to Rukuhia being unsuitable. Was Hamilton later included in any Union Airways DH86 routes? Or was this perhaps taken of a one-off special visit?

Or have I misidentified the aircraft? (Or perhaps the location misidentified by whomever wrote the original caption). Any thoughts?

NZPhotoUnionAirwaysHamiltonPM by Lemuel Lyes, on Flickr

[davidd]

No doubt it is one of Union Airway's DH 86s, but why passengers (or admirers?) seem to be giving the aircraft such a close inspection is a mystery to me! Possibly very early in career of these aircraft (lack of name on nose), although this copuld also be explained by the aircraft having just been recovered (with fabric) and the name is yet to be applied (although I admit this is rather unlikely). Believe it or not, these aircraft (early in their careers) had to be completely recovered during their annual C of A's but this was a very expensive exercise, and this requirment was almost certainly deleted in later years. Perhaps taken at some sort of ceremony (I would have thought that the school boys on extreme right would NOT be passengers for the next flight.

[camtech]

Looking at the background, probably not Hamilton. Rising ground in left hand side doesn't say Hamilton to me.

[Dave Homewood]

Definitely a de Havilland DH86 Express, but I agree with Les, the background does not look right for Rukuhia (Hamilton). These aircraft only operated till 1939, when the RNZAF took them over and they were repainted overall silver.

[martymonsta]

The lack of name on the nose suggests Sockburn/Wigram upon assembly. I have a shot that is similar with confirmation details, but then it doesn’t explain that hill. Perhaps proving flt to Tairei?

[lemuel]

Thanks all for the comments and for raising some excellent points, very much appreciated. I agree that the lack of name, and the people lining up for a look might suggest this photo was taken early in the aircraft's career. Also agree that although the photo was clearly labeled Hamilton, that whomever wrote the caption must have been mistaken. Thanks again.

[The Red Baron]

Bit of a fiddle with the image you can see theres quite high hills in the background,definitely not at Hamilton.

[davidd]

Great article in AHSNZ Journal about this aircraft type, written by the late Cliff Jenks. This was very detailed and had much information on the shipping and erecting of these aircraft in NZ. Think most were erected at Milson (Palmerston North) which was Union Airways' main servicing base (if I recall correctly). Northern terminal was Auckland, and southern was Taieri. Photo perhaps taken at latter?

[markrogers]

Interesting photo, looks like it was an open day for people to view the Heron. The old Nelson Airport at Saxton Rd was very close to hills like that in the photo, with similar trees like those in the background. Could be a different location, Taieri has a similar background.

[McFly]

While not directly related to the photo in question, perhaps these can point to a period or place where the original photo was taken and which aircraft it was? Note these are without the name yet applied.

"Side view of Union Airways Dh86 ZK-AEG in a hangar at RNZAF Station Wigram. Believed to be after arrival in New Zealand from England" (WgF96) Circa 1935



"Side view of Union Airways Dh86 ZK-AEG at RNZAF Station Wigram". (WgF51) Circa 1938