Topdressing DC 3s (2) ZK-APB

All of these topdressing DC 3s have long previous histories before ending their flying days dropping fertiliser:

ZK-APB above at Masterton 25/3/67 (Don Noble Photo)

and below at Oringi on 8/1/72 (unknown).

Douglas C 47B-25-DK (c/n 15945/32693)

Built by The Douglas Aircraft Co, Tulsa, OK with 2x 1200HP 14-cyl R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radial 44-76361 engines. 

15 Feb 1945 USAAF but diverted under “lend-lease” Exported to New Zealand 

NZ3534 7 Mar 1945 RNZAF 1 ASU, Hamilton 

RNZAF 41 Sqn, Whenuapai USAAF B-24 taxied into stationary NZ3534 at Morotai 9 Sep 1945 

19 Jun 1946 RNZAF 40 Sqn, Whenuapai 

Struck Off Charge Harewood 22 Mar 1947 

ZK-APB 28 Apr 1947 Air Secretary, Air Department, Wellington 

 9 Sep 1947 New Zealand National Airways Corp. “Popekotea” converted to passenger configuration by ANA, Melbourne 

6 Sep 1947 First service 30 Oct 1947 “Popotea” 

 wfu 31 Aug 1965 @ 33,685 hrs FT 

5 Jan 1965 Airland (NZ) Ltd, Palmerston North (del 10 Dec 1965) converted for topdressing 

20 Feb 1978 Fieldair Ltd, Gisborne “Popotea” 

18 Nov 1980 Fieldair Holdings (Central) Ltd, Palmerston North “Popkea” Last flight 16 Nov 1981 @ 41,588 hrs FT (7904 hrs Topdressing) 

Cancelled 19 Dec 1983. 

6 Mar 1985 transported to Wellington for use as a restaurant and bar at Miramar 

Dismantled with nose section to Sport and Vintage Aviation Society, Masterton.

15 Dec 2003 Athol Murray, Dipton (moved Feb 2014).