ZK-DAK

Cessna 177 Cardinal ZK-DAK was c/n 177-00675.

It was allocated the US registration of N3375T followed by VH-EFK. 

This Australian registration was not taken up and it popped up on the NZ register as ZK-DAK on 18-12-1969 with James Aviation Ltd of Hamilton.

The first 1164 Cardinals were powered with the 150hp Lycoming O-320-E1D engine

James Aviation (or was it Air New Zealand) upgraded ZK-DAK to a 200hp engine and the wording "Experimental" was applied to its vertical tail. Also note the extra bulge on the side of theengine cowling and an intake on top.

Cessna 177 Cardinal ZK-DAK and Cessna 150/150 ZK-DAL at Hamilton.

ZK-DAK at Hamilton

After a period as a demonstrator ZK-DAK went to the Aorangi Aero Club at Taihape from 11-12-1972.

Allan Wooller Captured it above in magic monochrome in February of 1973 at Dannevirke.

Now minus its "Experimental" label.

ZK-DAK at Tauranga also from Allan Wooller but in January of 1975 in a new colour scheme and some unreadable script below the passengers window.

Sometime during 1975 is was with Dennis Thompson International.

And then by September 1976 it was in another colour scheme.

 Then we see it at Masterton thanks in January 1977 thanks to Allan Wooller.

On March 23rd 1977 the ownership changed to G L G Richardson, I G Spicer and D M Strongman of Auckland.

Alas it overshot on landing at the Ruakituri Golf Course, about 30km north of Wairoa, and struck a building and some motor vehicles on 10-06-1978.

As seen in July 1978 from CMM.