Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer. ZK-EEL

Following yesterdays post on marine aircraft in Warbirds Over Wanaka Catching Up - 6, 

I thought this a good time to drop in some more details on the Lake LA-4 Amphibian ZK-EEL2.

This airframe, c/n 1045, was manufactured by Aerofab Inc at Sandford, Maine and placed on the US register as N8007B with Lake Amphibian Inc on 31-10-1980.

N8007B was shipped to Australia and is seen above at Adelaide's, Parafield Airport on 27-10-1981 thanks to David Tanner.

It was seen below by Tony Arbon at Bankstown, Sydney on 24-11-1983 still in its US markings. 

(I have a note that the US registration was cancelled on 09-03-1981 ?).

It was placed on the Australian register as VH-XPS on 06-12-1984 for Eddystone Exploration Pty Ltd of Sandringham, Victoria.

Why did it take three and a half years to get registered in Australia ?

As VH-XPS it was noted at Moorabbin 29-01-1985 thanks to AustAirData.

Adams Aviation Pty Ltd at Bankstown, Sydney were listed owners from 05-11-1988 followed by Wyong Air Services at Tuggerawong, NSW from 23-03-1994, operating off Tuggerah Lake under the East Coast Amphibians name.

A move to Mount Tamborine, Queensland for La Rochelle Pty Ltd took effect from 07-02-1997.

Then in late May of 1998 it was relisted to Aaron Whiting of Smithfield, Queensland to be cancelled from the Australian register on 13-08-1998.

Four days later it became DQ-ACA with Aaron Whiting of Nadi, Fiji.

And operated under the Coral Air label.

Above we see DQ-ACA at Nadi in July of 2003, thanks to Peter Ricketts.

My next reference is that it was sitting engineless at Nadi in September of 2005.

At the Northern Aviation facility at Whangarei on 10-03-2008 I took the above photo of it. Still referred to as ex DQ-ACA. 

This registration was cancelled on 22-04-2008 for it to become ZK-DQN for Mike Chubb of Seabird Aero Marine Ltd of Whangarei on 22-04-2008.

My next viewing of it was as ZK-DQN at Kerikeri 06-03-2009.

Ownership passed to Paul Dalley of Christchurch from 20-11-2009 and it was noted, below, at Rangiora on 07-01-2010, in a full Vanuatu Sea Planes colour scheme and I seem to recall the name 'Missy' 

Following NZCAA requirements (a certain number of hours to be flown and water landings to be carried out) it is expected to soon fly north on its way to Vanuatu. The Company now has new owners and are replacing their previous floatplane Maule (YJ-NZ20) with this Buccaneer. 

So I imagine we will see it in "YJ " marks in due course.

On 31-01-2010 It arrived at West Melton, below.

Above and below. ZK-DQN arriving at West Melton 31-10-2010.

Below is a close-up view of its manufacturers data plate.

ZK-DQN departed from Rangiora for Wanganui and Tauranga on 02-02-2010. From Kerikeri it moved on to Norfolk Island on the 13th and to Magenta and Port Vila on the 14th.

Its New Zealand registration was cancelled on 23-02-2010 for it to take up the YJ-VSL1 makings with Vanuatu Sea Planes of Port Vila.

YJ-VSL1 at Vila on 07-2011 thanks to Peter Lewis.

On 17-02-2023 ZK-EEL2 appeared on the NZ Civil Register to a private owner.

It was April of 2023 that I next heard of YJ-VSL1 when the weary looking fuselage arrived at Rangiora to take up residence in the Rangiora Aircraft Engineering hangar for a major rebuild. 

I was advised that the wings, tailplane and pontoons had already been completed.

Follows is a selection of photos taken during its rebuild.

Above and below.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 12-05-2023. Squeezed between the Westland Bell 47 ZK-HJH4 and the Cessna U206F amphibian ZK-DXC.

ZK-EEL2 Rangiora, also on 12-05-2023 clearly showing VJ-VSL1 instead of YJ-VSL1.

ZK-EEL2 on 01-09-2023. Interior work under way.

ZK-EEL2 on 20-10-2023 with rear upper skin replaced..

ZK-EEL2 on 06-01-2024 work is underway on its lower regions.

ZK-EEL2 on 01-03-2024 with nose recovered and being prepped.

ZK-EEL2 on 03-05-2024.

ZK-EEL2 on 16-08-2024 with rear fuselage panel 'clecoed' into place, with the lower nose panel being secured.

ZK-EEL2 back from the paint shop and its EEL registration applied by 04-10-2024.

ZK-EEL2 with its tail attached and nose wheel gear doors on 05-02-2025.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 07-05-2025 with wings and undercarriage attached.

ZK-EEL2 on 26-05-2025 with canopies fitted and engine mounts and bit being installed.

ZK-EEL2 on 03-10-2025 with the Cessna 206 amphibian on the left and the Lake Renegade wing and pontoon mid screen.

ZK-EEL2 on28-11-2025 showing a data plate on the cockpit edge with its old Fijian registration           of DQ-ACA crossed out.

ZK-EEL2 Rangiora 10-02-2026 almost ready for its first post rebuild flight which I believe was on the 27th of February 2026.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 20-03-2026 

ZK-EEL2 spent a few hours at the Wanaka Air show 03-04-2026

The factory data plate for ZK-EEL2 as seen on14-04-2026.

Note :  Corrections and additional information most welcome please.