Saturday, 13 October 2012

The early days of Cessna 185C ZK-CGG

Cessna 185C Skywagon ZK-CGG (c/n 185C-0769) was built as N5869Z and crated to New Plymouth for Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd where it was assembled in September of 1964.
As a bit of usless information - in these earlier Cessna days - the last two numbers of the c/n where almost always the same as the last two numbers of the US civil registration.
Like most of these new 185's it was fitted with a "can" and sent out to earn its living on the farm. 
It was delivered to Rural Aviation (1963) Ltd on 21-09-1964. 
 Below is an early photograph of ZK-CGG which had been allocated to Peter Meek and based at Taumaranui. Pic taken in the mid 60's by Allan Wooller.
 Another view, below minus its spray bars, taken at Fielding on 12-02-1966. Photo comes from the Jim Kilsby collection - but I suspect it was captured by RJD.
  By 20-05-1968 it was listed to J K Harding of Taihape and appears below at Invercargill minus all its ag gear on 25-07-1968
OOPS ! THE PIC ABOVE AND BELOW ARE IN FACT ZK-CGC. Correction to follow.
It was soon back on ag work and was pictured below in a new paint scheme at Wanganui in February 1969. Another pic by Allan Wooller.
  By 19-07-1969 ownership had transferred to Central Aviation Co Ltd of Roxburgh and is seen below at Taieri - again minus its ag equipment on 02-11-1970
And then spied at Luggate (below) on 27-12-1970 by Allan Wooller.
  The next three shot were all taken at Taieri
Above, on 13-07-72 showing it fitted with a spreader, but no can, and same below but on 17-04-1973
  It passed to the private ownership of W Ian Sarginson of Dingleburn Station on 29-03-1974. Below as seen on an unknow date by Allan Wooller with "Kittyhawk" Club badge on fin.
  During 1982 it was noted at Southair having corroded tail section rebuilt.
In 1988 it was used on parachute dropping for the Otago Parachute Club and had migrated to the North Island for storage in 1991 followed by registration cancellation on 10-05-1991.
I next spied it stripped at Fielding in April of 2003. Aero Support at Fielding restored it to the register on 23-03-2004 for David Sarginson

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10 comments:

  1. Dean Milner13 October 2012 at 22:03

    Did CGG flip over onto her back a few years ago at all???

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  2. Dave Paull13 October 2012 at 22:10

    Sorry Dean.
    I have no record of such.
    Maybe another viewer can come aboard and confirm or deny same.
    Regards

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  3. Hawkseye13 October 2012 at 23:28

    There seems to be a bit of a mix-up here. Pics 2 and 3 show ZK-CGC.

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  4. Anonymous14 October 2012 at 08:45

    CGG flew again after an extensive rebuild by myself at Aero Support, Feilding in Febuary 05. It has not had any incident since then, other than some very minor elevator damage when it rolled backwards into a fence.

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  5. Dave Paull14 October 2012 at 09:09

    Well Lads.
    I really stuphed this one up didn't I !

    When I first started this CGG post I intended to show pics of her up to the current time period - but on closer inspection I found the later shots were all in fact CGC but did not pick up on the earlier misreads, apart from two shots of "CGG" taken within days of each of each other in different (well used) paint schemes. I thought the hopper in/out seemed a bit odd but did not think beyond that.
    So I am thinking a trip to Specsavers may be in order followed by a new posting for both CGC and CGG.

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  6. Anonymous14 October 2012 at 13:29

    Well Mr Bloo Bus - this lack of visit to spec savers is going to cost you a lot of chockie fishees

    sincerely and faithfuuly Mr & Mrs CMM

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous14 October 2012 at 16:25

    Looking at the underwing rego, pic # 1 is also ZK-CGC...

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  8. Anonymous14 October 2012 at 16:30

    When enlarged the first photo does indeed look more like CGG than CGC. A good eyeball work out though!


    Anon2

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  9. Anonymous15 October 2012 at 21:38

    podyiGreat to see some early photos of CGG, compared to alot of early 180/185s she seems to have been quite camera shy. At only 4600hrs total time most likely the lowest time old 'ag' 185, still with the Rural mods including the old intake and exit holes for the super, now covered. I am the current owner and she now resides back in wanaka for private use. Some vid clips of recent flying on '64 skywagon' at youtube for the really keen. Final bit of useless trivia the only two of the ex Rural 185s still flying with the original IO470 260hp engine are CGG and CGC. With lower fuel burn its a great engine for longish range flying in private use.

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  10. Dave Paull15 October 2012 at 22:32

    Great stuff.
    I will put a link to these video clips when I re-do the blog on your CGG.
    Tks.

    ReplyDelete

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