Cessna 185D Skywagon ZK-CKP

Since we have been talking about ZK-CKP - I may as well give it a good thrashing with some photographs of it taken over the years.This Cessna 185D ZK-CKP Skywagon (c/n 185D-0796) was built by Cessna with the test registration of N5896T. It was imported by the NZ agents, Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd of New Plymouth and registered on 12-03-1965 and transferred to Mount Cook Air Services Ltd of Timaru on March the 16th. It went through the Company name changes of Mount Cook Airlines; Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Co Ltd and Mount Cook Group during which time it had the fleet number "15".

Two views of ZK-CKP at Timaru on 14-03-1966. Mount Cook had their own hangar and maintenance team here.

Below: In July of 1971 it was in this mainly blue scheme.

 On 08-04-1972 it was still the same.

 The two views below. By 31-12-1977 it was in the  blue & white with dayglo bands and fleet number.

On 11-12-1986 I caught it in this scheme at Mount Cook.

 Below. Seen at West Melton during 1996, minus tailwheel - by 17-12-1987 it was in the hands of Hugh Cameron of Otematata Station.

 Below as seen at Christchurch on 24-06-2010.