Cessna 185A ZK-DPY

Cessna 185A Skywagon ZK-DPY (c/n 1850270) was allocated the US registration of N4070Y on 07-12-1961 but because it was built for export it probably never carried these US marks. Foreign bound Cessna's were often painted in their future markings and flown under the Cessna test/trade allocation of N11B. They were then flown down to Houston for shipping. 1850270 was shipped out to Rex Aviation Pty Ltd at Bankstown, Australia for onward delivery to E Pendercost of Noumea, New Caledonia, with whom it became F-OBYE on 14-06-1962. I believe it was shipped to NZ in late 1973 to be registered here as ZK-DPY, first flying as such on 08-01-1974 with Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd at Ardmore. It was listed to Southwest Helicopters Ltd of Taupo by the 18th, but did not stay long, as by 09-07-1974 it was re-listed to Woody Rouse, R G Selbie and R A Soper of Lumsden and I seem to recall that it was based on the Five Rivers airstrip.

Airflite South Ltd of Taieri acquired it as from 10-02-1982.

Above is a shot of ZK-DPY as seen at Wanaka on 08-01-1983.
Below another view, but at Momona on 17-07-1983.

 It was re-listed to Proutings Mesopotamia Ltd on 26-08-1983, with whom it remains.

Photo below was taken at Timaru on 23-09-2012.

As a mater of interest, Cessna 185A c/n 1850271 (the next on the production line) also went to New Caledonia and became F-OBYD with the Aero Club Caledonien, later becaming F-OCQB. Eventually off course it became ZK-EKA, but I guess that's another story.