Cessna 180C ZK-BVV updated

 The Cessna 180C with the construction number of 50829 was allocated the US registration of N9329T with the Cessna Aircraft Company at Wichita, Kansas on 18-05-1960. 

Sold before completion to Rural Aviation Ltd of New Plymouth this US registration was not applied and the aircraft was test flown as N11B. 

This was a well worn US registration used by Cessna on numerous aircraft for test flying purpose before being exported.

Its US registration was cancelled on 23-06-1960 and it was shipped to New Zealand aboard the Cannonbank.

It was registered to Rural Aviation Ltd of New Plymouth as ZK-BVV on 31-05-1960 but didn't get its CofA until 27-09-1960 and was then used in the agricultural role. 

It is seen above at Bell Block Airfield, New Plymouth in Nov 1960.

Below - also at Bell Block but a little later on. Still with Rural Aviation titles on the door but minus the Cessna 'Chevrons" on the upper cowling.

It was damaged landing at Waverley on 19-01-1961when it went down a bank during a thunderstorm.

It was moved on to Aerial Sowing (Canterbury) Ltd of Amberley from 07-05-1962 

We see it above in the large hangar at Nelson on 05-12-1963.

The photo above was taken outside the Wellington Aero Club.

Exact date unknow.

 Central Aviation Ltd of Roxburgh acquired it from 24-03-1964 but it was damaged that September.

Rural Aviation (1963) Ltd sorted it out and listed it from 27-10-1964 and it carried Bruce Chegwidden's name on a simpler paint scheme.

It is seen above at Pahiatua in February of 1965 with large Rural markings on fuselage.

 It next moved down to Stratford to join Airspread Taranaki Ltd of Stratford from 20-09-1967.

I believe its last ag flight was on 15-02-1968 and it was listed to Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd at Ardmore from 01-03-1968.

Photo below with Airspread Taranaki of Stratford markings I suspect was taken in early 1968.

Two months later it was registered to General Finance Acceptance Ltd and went out on several leases.

These included B W Ovenden of New Plymouth, followed by The Taranaki Flying School.

At New Plymouth Airport on 06-03-1969 minus its hopper but still with its under-wing attachment points.

On 07-12-1969, it was overturned at Ardmore.

Next hire was to Auger Aircraft Ltd from 19-05-1970.

Here we have it at Dunedin's Momona Airport on 11-11-1970.

It was damaged in a forced landing near Palmerston on 05-05-1971 and during repairs had STOL mods fitted by Rex Aviation Ltd, only to be damaged again on 21-07-1972 near Morrinsville.

Noted at Ardmore in another new paint scheme on 11-10-1972.

The next operator was the Mangapa Land Company of Auckland from 16-02-1973.Above we have an interesting shot of ZK-BVV somewhere in the North Island and I suspect sometime around the mid 1970's showing it wearing spats.

And then it went back down South to Ron J Auger at Mosgiel from 25-09-1974.Captured at Momona on 08-09-1974.

And below again at Momona but in April 1975.

We then see a series of owner/operators including Allan S Drinkrow of Auckland from 04-08-1976.At an unknow site in August 1976 as captured by CMM.

On 18-03-1978 I potted it back down at Momona.

Then

A W Blair of Eskdale, near Napier from 18-07-1978
Pask Air Service Ltd at Hastings 18-01-1979.

In February of 1990 Bob Kerr noted it at Hastings.

Then we see 

David M Gribble of Putaruru from 02-12-1992.

I D Hayton at New Plymouth from 23-09-1992.

Then Bill H Innis from 23-10-1993 at Coromandel.

I next caught it on the tie downs at Christchurch Airport on 21-04-2000.

Next up was Frank R Wright at Mount Maunganui from 25-06-2014.

Ben Patterson nailed it at Hokitika on 09-10-2015.

                                                     So it never got Frank's 'blue paint scheme'.

Then Alastair R Midgley of Timaru took it on from 07-08-2017.I then noted it at Omaka during the fabulous Cessna 180/185 gathering on 27-05-2022.

It then went to its current owner James D Butler of Tikokino, near Waipapa from 24-06-2024.