Cessna 172 ZK-BQG

 The Cessna 172 ZK-BQG was built at the Cessna Aircraft Company factory at Wichita, Kansas in early 1956, and was allocated the US registration of N5880A and the construction number (c/n) of 28480. It was shipped to New Zealand for Rural Aviation Ltd at New Plymouth where it was registered as ZK-BQG on 01-05-1956 - with its CofA issued the following day.

This makes it the first Cessna 172 registered in New Zealand. 

It is however just the third oldest 172 airframe in New Zealand. The oldest airframe is ZK-MGR with the c/n of 28108 and ZK-BUZ with the c/n of 28138 - registered in NZ on 05-11-2014 and 20-11-1957 respectively.

(useless fact - for some years the last two numbers of the Cessna construction numbers matched the last two numbers of the registration number. In this case '80' and '80'.)

After a period on the demonstration circuit, it settled with the North Otago Aero Club at Oamaru from 28-03-1957, working alongside the Tiger Moths ZK-BSO and ZK-BMB.

ZK-BQG at Oamaru believed to be in the late 1950's. From the John Page collection c/- MoTaT

The Club traded it back to Rural Aviation Ltd on 20-05-1960 and replaced with the new Cessna 172A ZK-BWN (c/n 47304), which was listed to the Club on 07-06-1960.

             Rural sold ZK-BQG on quickly to Duncan Rutherford of Leslie Hill, North Canterbury                    from 06-07-1960.ZK-BQG as noted at Invercargill on 21-06-1969.

Thirty years on it went to Gordon Small of Knottsberry Farm, out of Rangiora from 17-05-1999.Above we see it at Omarama on 13-11-1999.

Next we see it briefly with Patchett Ag-Air Ltd of Omaka from 21-08-2002, with a transfer to Keith Baillie at Suspension Aviation Services Ltd of Omaka on 23-12-2002.As Seen at Omaka 20-04-2003 with the Kittyhawk Club/AOPA insignia on its fin.

He in turn moved it on to James Collett and James Fowler of Red Hills Aviation Ltd from 16-06-2007.At Omaka 25-02-2008. (with the hair dryer running).Above we see it in a new colour scheme at Omaka on 08-12-2010.

It was back with Ray Patchett at Omaka from 15-06-2016 .And seen above at Omaka on 04-11-2016 still with tricycle undercarriage.

By mid 2018 was noted in a tail wheel configuration, as below.Omaka on 24-09-2018.

Above we see it performing at the Healthy Bastards Bush Pilots Champs at Omaka on 06-02-2021.

Above - caught during an inspection at Omaka 19-11-2023 with its Oceania Aviation Continental engine exposed.

And finally it is seen below parked at Nelson on 26-10-2025.