ZK-CHS Update

                                                               ZK-CHS 

We have some more pics from Anonymous, Dave Paull and Allan Wooller of the Cessna 185D Skywagon ZK-CHS (c/n 185-0793).

This 185 was first listed with Cessna at Wichita in Kansas as N5893T. 

As a useless snippet of information the last two numbers of the c/n and the last two numbers of the US registration on these earlier Cessna aircraft where normally the same.

It was imported and registered by the NZ agents Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd at New Plymouth as ZK-CHS on 22-02-1965 and then moved over to Rural Aviation (1963) Ltd from 11-03-1965.

 Here we have two shots from Allan Wooller showing ZK-CHS in its Rural Ag set up in 1967.
The above shot was taken at Hood, Masterton.
Whilst lower view is at Feilding.

At the end of its Ag days it was listed to General Finance Acceptance on 17-09-1968. 

In the mid to late 60's General Finance had about thirty aircraft on their books - mostly leased out.

ZK-CHS was leased to the Rex Flying School at Paraparaumu and then to the Taupo branch from late 1967.

ZK-CHS at the Oamaru strip

 

As captured at Taupo in September of 1969.

On 18-08-1971 it was listed to the Taupo Flying School and Air Services.

 Seen naked at Wellington on 07-12-72.

Back at Taupo on 09-06-73.

Taupo again - date unknown.

Air Central Ltd of Taupo feature from 30-01-1976 and it was painted up in  Fred Ladd's colour schemes for his Dynamic Volcanic SnoFlites.

Above a 1977 shot from Allan Wooller of CHS at Taupo.

At North Arm in January 1978.

Below we have a better angle showing the paint scheme for Fred Ladd's "Dynamic Volcanic SnoFlites Service.

From 08-03-1979 it was under the Taupo Air Service Ltd name.

A few days later - 19-03-1979 - it crashed alongside the Desert Road near Rangipo with the loss of all six lives.

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=64296

It was previously briefly mentioned at :-

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2015/06/three-anonymous-185-pics.html

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2011/01/more-missing-freinds.html