Pitts S 1S ZK-PUG

The "new" single seat Pitts S 1S ZK-PUG was registered on Friday, 10/5/19, to Mark J Miller of Tauranga:

ZK-PUG (c/n 1-0029) at Avspecs on 3/5/19.  It looks really great!

I did not know much about this aircraft when I saw it at Avspecs but when it was registered its previous identity of VH-PUG was recorded.  This rung a bell and after a bit of checking I found out that it was the old Pam Collings factory built Pitts that was registered as ZK-PAC in New Zealand from October 1976 to October 1981 - when it was sold to Australia as VH-PUG. 

ZK-PAC at Oamaru early on in its first New Zealand life, on 4/11/78 with Pam Collings driving.

and near the end of its first life in New Zealand, at the 1981 AACA flyin at Mt Hutt.

VH-PUG had several owner in Australia: G J Nero-Palladij of Redwood Park. SA from 27/11/81 where it wore the name Karrawirra, the Australian Aerobatic Club of Templestone Victoria from 31/12/87 where it was named Skydancer 2, and Craig John Bryson of Trancie, NSW from 23/9/99.  Its Australian registration was revoked on 6/7/06., and I guess at some time it was returned to New Zealand as a long term restoration project.

Now after 38 years it is back!