Monday 29 September 2014

Requeim for Fletcher ZK-BXS.

 ZK-BXS
 C/n 77
This airframe had a manufacturing date of 01-03-1956 and was initially pencilled in to become ZK-BOZ but by the time it was assembled by TEAL in 1960 it was allocated ZK-BXS.
First registered to Air Parts (NZ) Ltd on 04-07-1960, gaining its CofA on 14-08-1960 and first flying on 25-08-1960.
Its first operator was Aircraft Service (NZ) Ltd from 09-09-1960 who gave it the fleet number "9". It is seen below at an early unknown date at Hamilton. Photograph from the Allan Wooller collection.

 It was converted to a 260hp engine from May 1963, was transferred to James Aviation Ltd on 01-02-1968 and then converted to a 300hp model in November that year.
Above - as seen at Palmerston North on 22-09-1973.
On 21-05-1974 it was slightly damaged on Rainbow Mountain.

In June 1974 it was seen at Paraparaumu by Allan Wooller.
 On 30-07-1976 it was listed as a FU24-950M and on 31-01-1983 it was withdrawn from use and stored until going on line with Associated Farmers Aerial Work Ltd of Martinborough from 21-02-1985.  
At an unknown date and place.
 And a pic from the CMM collection.
On 18-08-1987 it was listed to Central Northern Group of Hamilton and then it departed NZ for Norfolk Island on 01-04-1989.
It became VH-JIY with Burdekin Aerial Service at Ayr Queensland on 08-06-1989 and then to Minuzzo Investments Pty Ltd for ops by Liddles Air Services of Ingham, Queensland.
The Ozzie registration was cancelled on 28-10-1992 for it to re-appear in NZ as ZK-BXS again on 29-10-1992 with Super Air Ltd at Hamilton for onward delivery to Bargh and Gardner of Martinborough from 01-12-1992.
Air Services(1979) Ltd took it on from 19-06-2003 and then it joined Super Air Ltd of Hamilton on 01-11-2006.
As captured at Masterton on 08-02-2007
It went off the end of the strip and overturned at Hukerenui on 10-11-2008 and was withdrawn and was finally cancelled on 15-07-2014.

2 comments:

  1. I stand to be corrected, but I don't think she was ever on line with Associated Farmers. AFAIK she was always in a dismantled state at Martinborough.

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  2. The Picture of BXS parked on the pickets wiht the shed and fuel pump on the other side is at Taieri Air field Mosgiel Ray Young flew her then and I was his driver for 3 years +.

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