Cessna 180H c/n 51548 was allocated the US registration of N2748X but this re-allocated VH-PKD whilst on the production line at Cessna and was listed to Rex Aviation at Bankstown on 26-10-1965.
Below assembled, with hopper, and ready to go at Bankstown in late October 1965.
Pic by Mike Croker via the Ian Coates collection
I believe it was leased to several operators over the next couple of years and we see it below with spray gear fitted at Jandakot thanks to the Merv Prime collection.
Ownership was transferred to Hazelton Air Service at Cudal, NSW during 1967,
and then to R A Royds in July of 1975.
and then to R A Royds in July of 1975.
Below are two views I shot of it at Moorabbin on 18-03-1977.
It was struck off the Australian register on 28-03-1979 and was flown across the Tasman reaching NZ on 21-04-1979 having been registered as ZK-PKD to one Richard A Royds of Auckland on 29-03-1979.
Below we see her at Ardmore on 04-09-1979 with the "VH" removed from its rudder and the full ZK-PKD markings on the fuselage - as would be required for the trans Tasman flight.
Below we have a new colour scheme - as seen at Christchurch on 21-11-1980.
Below we see her at Ardmore on 04-09-1979 with the "VH" removed from its rudder and the full ZK-PKD markings on the fuselage - as would be required for the trans Tasman flight.
Richard passed it on to Airwork (NZ) Ltd at Christchurch on 26-06-1981 who in turn sold it to Airflite South Ltd at Taieri on 31-08-1981.
On 15-12-1981 it was transferred to J E Fletcher of Timaru and then to Buttercup Alpine Resorts Ltd at National Park from 16-05-1983.
Since 28-07-1983 it has been listed to G W Galpin of Marton.
Below we see it at Rangiora on 25-10-2007.
And finally at Rangiora again but on 08-02-2015.
I flew (as passenger) many times in PKD from Moorabbin to Phillip Island. There was a strip near the cliffs against the beach. We would picnic there, have a swim and fly back at the end of the day.
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