Cessna 180 ZK-BDE c/n 30459 gained its NZ C of A with Rural Aviation of New Plymouth on 14-12-1953 and went to Southern Scenic Air Services at Queenstown.. By late November of 1960 it was with Hewett Aviation of Invercargill. It went back to Rural Aviation before being acquired by Richard Raywood who traded as Air Safaris and Services. It carried the name "Mesopotamia" in the early 1970's. Next move was to Rex Aviation on 01-06-1973 and two weeks later was listed with Kiwi Holiday Cottages of Auckland. March 1976 had it with Walter Holdings of Wanganui and then to C A Rowland at Longburn on 02-02-1977. BDE Syndicate of Hanmer Springs feature from 13-12-1999 before its final move to Brian Atkinson at Hanmer from 20-08-2003. It was cancelled from our register on 10-09-08 as exported !
The three photos of rather poor quality are digital photos of the original prints taken in rather poor light this aftermoon. Above it is at Aeroteck Timaru on 03-09-1968 (Note the aircraft in the hangar behind it).
Photo in Air Safari marks with "Mesopotamia"on the cowl was shot at Wellington on 29-09-1972 (another interesting background aircraft).
ZK-BDE in more recent times at Christchurch on 05-07-2002.
Brian Atkinson now operateds the C180H ZK-SCB.
Hi, last I saw, BDE was in a hangar at rangiora and is to be rebuilt. I think it was bought by a kiwi in the states ? and is to get it flying again. I thought it was to stay in NZ but perhaps move it over to the states...
ReplyDeleteZK BDE is all airworthy and flying again, is owned by Roger Hewett,(who lives in the states) son of the late Bill Hewett, founder of Hewett Aviation.
ReplyDeleteWe have posted several shots of BDE since this posting.
ReplyDeleteEnter BDE in the search box near the top left of screen.
Then scroll down .
It was out with the other 180/185's at their Rangiora fly-in a couple of weekends ago.
Cheers.