ZK BKU

[John L]

Whilst trolling through a box, I found my old log book and this photo of BKU fell out! Dairy Flat c 1973, I think. The aero clubs last cub from the 4 they had...BQQ, BKU, BTV and BSK, I think.
BQQ was my favourite, with BSK being the least so, in fact, I loathed the thing!...who says planes don't have character.



Anyone know where she is these days......

[Peter Lewis]

Ownership to M J Hayton, New Plymouth 10Sep90
Current address Mr M J Hayton PO Box 109702 Auckland 1149

[angelsonefive]

A nice picture of a nice little aeroplane.
Thanks for posting, Jon L.
I have flown two of the Cubs you mention.
First solo in BTV at Paraparaumu when it was owned by the Wgton Aero Club.
BSK was factory new back then, when the WAC got her. Finished in white with green trim, which was a pleasant contrast to the red and white of the other Wellington Cubs. Very pretty.
I have a soft spot for the 90 h.p. Continental-engine Cub.
When Piper upgraded to the 150 h.p. aircraft with flaps something indefinable was lost, in my opinion. Mind you, the 150 horse machine is still very nice!

[hardyakka]

I just looked in my logbook and saw that I started my tailwheel/cub rating on BSK. It was on loan to the Waikato Aero Club in 1995. Did about 3.5 hours in it but it had to be returned to its owner before I could finish. I hadn't flown any other Cubs (except 0.2 hours in an L-4/J-3 back in about 1992) so I couldn't express an opinion over whether it was better or worse than any of its bretheren.

I do remember having to gaffer tape my Icom handheld to the windscreen strut so I could communicate with Hamilton tower in the circuit.

I finally completed my rating in ERB a couple of years later.

[shorty]

My first flight ever was in BQQ, about 1957 out of Mangere as a birthday present

[Dave Homewood]

When did the first Cub come to New Zealand? Was it before the war?

[Peter Lewis]

ZK-BKU started life with the Waikato club, seen here at Rukuhia in 1966



Dave, the first Taylor J-2 Cubs (ZK-AFQ and ZK-AGD) arrived in 1938 - Barnard Owen, the Christchurch chemist, was the agent.
The Piper J-3s (ZK-AHC, AHD, AHE) arrived in 1939.
The PA-18s started to arrive from 1952.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter. What happened to those Cubs during the war then? Were they stored away or used by aero clubs? It's surprising the RNZAF didn't claim them for No. 42 Squadron.

[Peter Lewis]

The Air Force did not seem to be interested in them; at the time the 40/60hp Cubs were viewed a bit like microlights are today.

ZK-AFQ was in the care of the Canterbury aero club and was stored at Wigram 1939-1945.
ZK-AGD was at New Plymouth, and presumably was stored there for the duration.
ZK-AHC was at Rotorua with Stan Blackmore, and was operated by him together with Avian ZK-ACM until he was closed down from 1941 to 1946, stored in that hangar there.
ZK-AHD and 'AHE were in the Hawkes Bay and Palmerston North respectively, and were stored in those locations.

[shorty]

Possibly because at the start of the war they decided that they were too"American" and standard British hardware (nuts, bolts etc) wouldn't fit with all the attendant problems that would bring and by the time we received US aircraft there were plenty of Tigers etc if they were looking for a 2 seat hack. With the smaller motors the Cubs wouldn't have been overendowed with power. hard pressed to carry even an overnite bag especially with extra uniforms etc.
I.E most of the orphans that were impressed were British except for the Waco and Beech which being 4 seaters would be of more use.
Just a thought.

[Dave Homewood]

I think that all makes perfect sense Shorty.

[pa18]

WAC operated BKU, BTQ, and BQS in red and cream livery in the 60's

[tbf25o4]

We have ZK-BQX here at Paraparaumu. Is in almost original condition owned by one
of the resident Engineers. On the Aero Club books for those wishing to convert to
tail draggers. 90hp fun with no flaps!!

[John L]

Not having flown for a few years now, I still know all the drills for the Cub.......not that there are many. No flaps.......ahhhhh the joys of sideslipping in over the fence.
BKU had pale bluey- green stripes with flourescent orange under the wing tips

[madmax]

Aug 15, 2008 23:01:55 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

ZK-BKU started life with the Waikato club, seen here at Rukuhia in 1966



Dave, the first Taylor J-2 Cubs (ZK-AFQ and ZK-AGD) arrived in 1938 - Barnard Owen, the Christchurch chemist, was the agent.
The Piper J-3s (ZK-AHC, AHD, AHE) arrived in 1939.
The PA-18s started to arrive from 1952.

[madmax]

Just a minor correction to the above. ZK-AFQ was a Taylor J2 Cub while ZK-AGD was a Piper J2

[isc]

The RNZAF did take on three Wakos in 1939, so they weren't totally against American aircraft, also a Porterfield 35W was impressed twice, and three Rearwin 9000 Sportsters. isc

[thomarse]

Just found this "resuscitated" thread, now just over 7 years old!

So, where is BKU now? I recall seeing all 4 of those Cubs flying in formation over Takapuna one sunny day many, many years ago.

And I can't agree about BSK. I did a lot of flying in her in her PP days and loved her; however, she was the only 90hp Cub in my 700 hours of Cubbery

[chinapilot]

Yes - what a terrible thing to say about good 'ol BSK
Did my first solo in BSK ( just over 50 years ago) and then went on to do my PPL in her...

[Toko]

If my memory serves me correctly, BKU was imported for
the Stratford Aero Club about 1957