Zlin mysteries

[Peter Lewis]

While in the South Island, I found this Zlin Z-37T ZK-DOZ at Alexandra



A few yards away, inside an open-fronted shed, resides two more Zlin fuselages. Are these additional aircraft, or simply spares for the current fleet?



Shortly after, at Taieri, I found another Zlin parked up among the hangars. Although apparently complete, it bore no sign of any external markings. Any clues as to the identity? (Possibly ZK-WLO of Willow Air, Milton?)

[hairy]

Willow airs colours are yellow with a broad blue cheat line and sign writing in blue.
I think the green one was never sold when it came into NZ and has sat there ever since, unregistered. I first saw it 4yrs ago in exactly the same place.

There is another one ZK-RZN at Feilding.

Gotta be in the running for the ugliest a/c on the current register.

[turboNZ]

Yeah they ain't pretty but remember that some rather nice looking ladies come from the Czech Republic

[Martin Wienert]

'The application for New Zealand type acceptance was from Super Air Ltd dated 13 March 2002. Six Z-37T aircraft are being imported from the Czech Republic, serial numbers 004, 008, 010 (ZK-DOZ), 011, 015 and 020 (ZK-WLO).'
www.caa.govt.nz/aircraft/Type_Acceptance_Reps/Zlin_Z37T.pdf

s/n 004 (ZK-PJO)
s/n 008 ?
s/n 010 (ZK-DOZ)
s/n 011 ?
s/n 015 ?
s/n 020 (ZK-WLO) www.airteamimages.com/14661.html

s/n 039 (ZK-VIH) avia-dejavu.net/photo%20OK-VIH.htm (as OK-VIH before export)
s/n 040 (ZK-RDZ)

www.airport-data.com/manuf/Zlin.html

s/n 040 (ZK-RZN) www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1003525/

Martin

[fletcherfu24]

The Zlin has a very short life only 2-3000 hrs(off the top of my head)due to its certification or lack off.But they are cheap,so you fly them until the time runs out then junk them.
Superairs one made a forced landing and the wreckage was sold to one of the other operators after sitting behind the Superair hangar for some time.

[Peter Lewis]

wieesso said:

s/n 004 (ZK-PJO)
s/n 008 ?
s/n 010 (ZK-DOZ)
s/n 011 ?
s/n 015 ?
s/n 020 (ZK-WLO) www.airteamimages.com/14661.html

s/n 039 (ZK-VIH) avia-dejavu.net/photo%20OK-VIH.htm (as OK-VIH before export)
s/n 040 (ZK-RDZ)

s/n 040 (ZK-RZN) www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1003525/

Martin

There is also c/n 14 which became ZK-RJI/3, this was the Super Air one that was DBR in landing short of Pukekohe East airstrip 29Apr05 after two years of operations. I saw the remains at Rangiora airfield last Easter.

Given that RDZ became RZN after a life of only one month, I guess that it never operated as such.

Martin, your list give three airframes (c/ns 8 11 15) with no registration allocations. Is it possible that these are the three photographed above - two at Alexandra and one at Taieri?

Looking at the shape and colour schemes of these aircraft, I get the feeling that someone has done a larger-than-life copy of the Auster Agricola here!

[Martin Wienert]

'Martin, your list give three airframes (c/ns 8 11 15) with no registration allocations. Is it possible that these are the three photographed above - two at Alexandra and one at Taieri?'

Thanks Peter, that is very probable! Couldn't someone have a closer look at the data plates?
Martin