Cessna 180 ZK-FDO

 The Cessna 180A Skywagon c/n 50017 went new from the Cessna factory (as N9719B) to Australia and became VH-FDG with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (West Australia), Perth from 14-10-1957. The Kodak Brownie photograph above was taken by Bob Hart after he had a flight in her at Carnarvon in West Australia in 1959.

On 20-12-1965 they changed the registration to VH-FDO; then sold it to G W and W E Newton of Wyalkatchem West Australia on 18-02-1970. It had at least eight further owners, including Hill 27 Pty Ltd of Perth from 21-01-1971, then to R F Fisher of Beverley WA on 29-8-1973.
It overturned on landing at Jandakot on 13-01-1977; returning to the register again on 25-09-1079 with F F Richard - still at Beverley. In mid November 1980 it was withdrawn from use until relisted to L W Wright of Wellstead WA on 09-03-1982.
 It moved to the dealers Rossair General Aviation Pty Ltd at Parafield, South Australia on 28-02-1985 and was on sold to R H Jackson at Riddell, Victoria on 06-03-1985.
 C Walsh of Teedale, V, took it over from 19-08-1988 followed by S Leigh of Narromine in NSW on 23-10-1991.

The photo below is from the John Wheatley Collection (via Ed Coates collection) shows VH-FDO in a white and light blue scheme with gold and black stripes.

 Pics above and below show VH-FDO at Omarama on 07-01-1995.

 

It was listed to H C McLellan of Dalefield, Queenstown, New Zealand on 14-06-1995 and was cancelled from the Australian register the same day.

It took up the ZK-FDO2 marks on 20-06-1995 for H C McLellan at Queenstown.

Below we see her at Queenstown on 14-02-1996.

It was operated by Southern Alps Air Ltd and is seen below at Makarora on 15-10-2000.

Next in line was Brian Coakley out of Cambridge from 06-03-2001; followed by Southbranch Farms Ltd of Coutts Island (near Christchurch) from 03-08-2005 and it is seen below at Rangiora on 10-07-2009, still wearing the Southern Alps Air signage.

Ownership changed to Van Asch Grigg Partnership of Blenheim on 11-09-2009. 

Below is a view taken at Christchurch on 04-02-2010.

And below is a shot from Lord Nelson showing FDO at Nelson on 28-12-2012.

Below - I spied it on 03-04-2013 at Omaka.