Sunday, 19 September 2010

Beavers & Beavers # 2 ZK-BFO

De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver ZK-BFO c/n 609 was imported by De Havilland New Zealand on 14-05-1954. It was  first flown and received its C of A on 13-08-1954.  It was in a six seat configuration for James Aviation Ltd of Rororua.
A hopper was fitted and it carried out it first ag operation on 17-10-1956 until damaged at Rotoiti on 26-04-1957. It went to Airwork (NZ) Ltd of Christchurch for repairs, remaining with them until damaged at Scargill on 28-02-1964. During May of 1959 it carried out some high level (For a Beaver - 20,000ft) photography work.
ZK-BFO at Christchurch  on 24-12-1963
It was rebuilt again and re-delivered to Masterton on 06-11-1964 for Air Contracts Ltd.
It had a couple more incidents, being damaged near Masterton on 17-10-1966 and was repaired at DH at Wellington and then another incident at Te Ore Ore on 28-02-1967.
ZK-BFO at Wellington (date unknown).
It was withdrawn from use at Masterton on 04-06-1968 and sold abroad to Bannock Aerospace Ltd and was cancelled from the NZ register on 26-01-1970.
ZK-BFO at Masterton on 23-09-1969.
It went to Cross Lakes Air Service Ltd of Wabowden, Manitoba and became CF-AXD in May of 1970.
On 10-06-1972 (as a floatplane) it was involved in a fatal accident near Nelson River, Manitoba.
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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous16 October 2026 at 09:42

    I have a pr photo of BFO from NZ Forest Products Ltd. Interestingly, along with a date stamped 17 Dec 1954, is a newspaper caption: “ The growing importance of the pulp and paper industries is given further prominence by a daily air service planned between Kinleith and Auckland. This Beaver six-seater monoplane is to be used on the run. The service will save time for the industries' executives and will be available to the public of Kinleith and Tokoroa.”

    A beaver in the jet-set business, I can only imagine the popularity!

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