Sunday 14 September 2014

Magnamans road trip.

Below we have some pics from Magnaman's road trip around the bottom of the North.
The well known Mangaweka Douglas C-4B ZK-APK's cockpit.
This old C-47 was originally s/n 45-964 with the USAAF followed by a stint as NZ3556 with the RNZAF.
An attempt to become ZK-AOK was thwarted (must not get confused with "AO" as in All OK). It became ZK-APK with NZNAC in May of 1947 - went to Fiji Airways in 1967 as VQ-FAH - returning to NZNAC later in 67.
On 13-10-1970 it was in the Ag game until being withdrawn on 03-07-1981.
Two shots in the Whanganui Manawatu Gliding Club hangar at Feilding.
Above is the Clubs towplane Piper PA-25-235B Pawnee ZK-CIG (c/n 25-3012).
It has been with the Club since late 1987 following an ag career with Airwork (NZ) Ltd from February 1965; and a term with Manawatu Aerial Top Dressing Co Ltd from July of 1969.
Below - Club member Robert Laskey runs this Alpi Pioneer 300 ZK-LPD (c/n NZ 85). This was originally registered as ZK-SHL3 with Peter Donald.
 Also at Feilding was the Flight training Manawatu Diamond DA20-C1 ZK-FIY2 (c/n C0381).
This came in from Canada in December 2013.
Down at Palmerston North at Milson Aerospace we see the ex Nigerian Air Force Scottish Aviation Bulldog NAF 231 in a dismantled state in the hangar.
and below NAF 253 about to be taken away to Taranaki for restoration.
 At Masterton the Fletcher FU24-950 ZK-EME (c/n 256) was parked up.
This one has been around since 1978 and was converted to PWC PT6A-34AG engine and an extended fuselage to become the "Fletcher 2000 EX" in November of 2006.
 Over at Taupo sat the ex Mackenzie Aviation of Gore's Air Tractor AT-502B ZK-MAA2 (c/n 502B-2579).
This was taken up by Super Air in May this year.

 A couple from YP. Above is the Rural Aerial Co-Operative Ltd's Gippsland GA200C Fatman ZK-NTO (c/n 200C 9938).
This has been with the Co-Op since new in November of 1999.
Below is the Turbine Powered Whitney PAC Cresco 08-600 ZK-TPW (c/n 034) of Griffin Ag-Air Ltd. (Must be just about due to do its annual pilgrimage down South).
 In the main drag of Pahiatua is this North American NA66 Harvard II NZ918 (c/n 66-2711).
Certainly not a civil aircraft but certainly used by numerous small civilians. It was placed here in late 1963.
There is a ladder up into the lower fuselage and a slide out under the nose.

1 comment:

  1. We have said goodbye (for now at least) to one of the projects (NAF253) which has gone to new owners for restoration in Taranaki. One has been donated to the Feilding ATC squadron. This leaves seven with us here at Milson Aerospace Limited for restoration and sale. Also our Chipmunk should be out of maintenance soon for the collection members to start flying. Regards, David French

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