Bonanza ZK-EDJ out to pasture

The Beech V35B Bonanza ZK-EDJ c/n D-9224 was imported into New Zealand by Dennis Thompson Intenational Ltd of Auckland.

A 1970 model it was initially listed in the US as N1GN with G B Nuckols Jnr of Noblesville, Virginia.

It was re-registered as N100CS to Currey-Sanders Aircraft Company Inc of Minden, Louisiana and then to Clarck & Roberts Co of Pecos, Texas.

It had a power line incident at Abilene, Texas on 20-03-1974 and was sold to G Hampton Corporation of Belvedere, California on 13-11-1974.

Its US registration was cancelled on 10-12-1974 and it was ferried into Auckland.

It became ZK-EDJ to DTI on 11-12-1974 for onward delivery to Hikurangi Fisheries Ltd at Whangarei from 30-01-1975 to replace their Beech B95-B55 Baron ZK-DQQ.

At Ardmore on 13-01-1975 - not long after delivery to Hikurangi Fisheries - Photo by Ray Deerness.

ZK-EDJ was flicked off to the NZ Beechcraft agents, James Aviation Ltd of Hamilton on 07-08-1978. 

Above. I noted it at Oamaru on 04-11-1978.

   Hikurangi Fisheries replaced it with factory new "V" tailed Bonanza V35B ZK-YAV (c/n D-10166) in November 1978. This was actually registered to Alan Yovich who traded as Hikurangi Fisheries.

James Aviation hung on to ZK-EDJ until April of 1982 when it was sold to D G Hodge of Hamilton. I believe it was available on line with the Waikato Aero Club.

It had an undercarriage event at Whangarei on 23-12-1982.

Boats & Motors Ltd (CH) Ltd (Ron Connell) took it over from 31-01-1985 with it quickly going to Goldfields Air Ltd of Alexandra from 18-04-1985.

In August 1986 Keith Neylon of Blenheim, then Winton, and Invercargill, took it over -  retaining it until 2021.

On the tie downs at the Canterbury Aero Club, Christchurch on 23-11-1988 in a different paint scheme.

And then at Alexandra on 09-12-1998, showing the colours better.

At Momona on 10-10-2000 receiving a paint touch up.

A nice air to air from Andy Heap on 08-05-2001in its new colours.

Noted on 08-11-2001 at Christchurch.

19-10-2002 at Momona.

19-04-2012 at Christchurch.

12-09-2015 at Rangiora.

At Rangiora 26-12-2015.

At  Momona 15-04-2021 just prior to its sale to Eric Pratt of Karamea from 20-04-2021.

It was transferred to the Pratt Family Trust on 31-08-2021.

Above. As captured at Nelson by Bill Mannix on 18-07-2023.

Photo above from CMM shows ZK-EDJ in a dismantled state at Motueka on 05-01-2025.