Friday 28 May 2010

I remember when.

This view of ZK-AYW was taken in February last year when I dropped into Te Kuiti.
The locals were busy painting the exterior of their Club House (Most were actually partaking of tea and scones).
On the wall of the Club House are several photographs. This was one of them. Alas I failed to notice the reflection from the windows.

Built as a Miles Hawk Trainer Mk111 for the Royal Air Force about September of 1938 it was allocated the RAF serial of L8353 and carried the constructors number of 779. It served well during World War Two, including time back with Miles Aircraft during 1940/1941. It also spent time with the 8EFTS (Elementary Flying Training School) during 1943 and wore the code FD-TE and flew over 3500 hours before being demobbed. It was inducted onto the UK register as G-AMMC with W A Rollason Ltd in 1953 for export to NZ for the Waitomo Aero Club. It became ZK-AYW on 18-11-1953 and received its CofA on 03-12-53. It was damaged at Raglan on 22-02-1954 but was repaired and remained with the Club until sold to R G Perry (still at Te Kuiti) on 14-02-1961. By July it was with the Piako Aero Club of Matamata until being withdrawn from use on 02-09-1962 with 4302 flying hours. Its Gipsy Major engine I believe went to the Tiger Moth ZK-DAM some years later.
It was presented by L R Nicholson to MoTaT on 20-11-1967 and its registration was cancelled on 19-12-1980. It is now preserved at MoTaT using parts from fellow Magister/Hawk Trainer ZK-ALO and wears its military L8353 colour scheme.

Photo below shows the workers at rest.

No comments:

Post a Comment