De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth NZ 799 to NZ 850, 1939 to 1956
De HAVILLAND TIGER MOTH DH 82 A NZ 799 to NZ 850
Design:
Sir Geoffery De Havilland
Company:
De Havilland
Morris Motors
Australia
De Havilland
N Z
De Havilland
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
Wing Span:
29 ft 4 in 8.94 M
Wing Area:
239 sq ft
Length:
23 ft 11 in 7.34 M
Height:
8 ft 9 1/2 in 2.68 M
Ceiling:
13,6000 ft 4,145 M
Speed: at 1,000’ ft
109 MPH 175 KPH
Range:
302 Miles 829 KM
T/O Weight:
1,825 lb 486 Kg
Crew:
1 Pilot
1 Student / Passenger
Role:
Elementary Trainer
Light Communications
Total Manufactured:
7,000 Plus in U.K., Australia, NZ
First Flight:
26 Oct 1931
Original Order No
23 in 1931
Armament
Nil
Years Served:
1939 to 1956
Qty Served:
335
ENGINE
Type:
De Havilland Gipsy Major 1
4 Cylinder, Inverted, In-Line, Air Cooled
Horse Power:
130 HP
Bore:
4.646 in 118 mm
Stroke:
5.512 in 140 mm
Volume:
373.6 cu in 6.124 L
Compression Ratio:
5.25 : 1
Max RPM:
2350 RPM
Take Off Power:
130 HP
Fuel:
73 Octane
Oil:
OMD 370
Length:
48.3 in 1227 mm
Width:
20 in 508mm
Height
29.6 in 752 mm
Weight:
330 lb 136 Kg
Power to Weight Ratio: ]
0.393 BHP/ lb
Notes:
NAC = National Airlines Cooperation
MU = Maintenance Unit
BOC = Brought On Charge
MOTAT = Museum Of Transport And Technology
EFTS = Elementary Flying Training School/Squadron
A/C = Aircraft
NSW = New South Wales Australia
ASU = Aircraft Servicing Unit
CFS = Central Flying School
LAC = Leading Air Craftsman [one of the lower ranks]
WARB = War Articles/Assets Release Board
U/C = Undercarriage
C of A = Certificate of Air Worthiness
Inst = Instructional Non-Flying Training Airframe
TAF = Territorial Air Force
Sqn = Squadron
TTS = Technical/Trade Training School
ATC = Air Training Corp
A/F = Air Frame
GR = General Recon
CAA = Civil Airways Authority
TEAL = Tasman Empire Airways Ltd [for runner to Air NZ]
RAN FAA = Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm
NZ 658 Flown in Singapore Area With No 1 Airfield Construction Squadron 1941 Lost Feb 1941
NZ 650 to NZ 689 UK Built NZ Assembled
NZ 701 to NZ 724 Impressed from Local Aero Clubs Oct and Nov 1939
NZ 730 to NZ 749 UK Built NZ Assembled
NZ 751 to NZ 850 NZ Built
NZ 851 to NZ 900 UK Built NZ Assembled
NZ 1401 to NZ 1420 Aust Built
NZ 1421 to NZ 1500 NZ Built
NZ 1601 NZ Built
In the UK the A/C were adapted to carry 8 x 20lb [9.07 kg] bombs under wings,
If the invasion of England over the English Channel occurred there was over
500 Tiger Moths ready to attack the landing craft.
In the Far East, the Tiger Moth was further modified to be able to carry a
Stretcher, as an Air Ambulance role.
Built by De Havilland NZ Ltd Rongotai
NZ 799
Constructors No.: DHNZ 49
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 21 Feb 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth 1941
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club 10 Apr 1946
Registered ZK – AIJ 10 Apr 1946
Crashed at Tyford 1 Dec 1948
NZ 800
Constructors No.: DHNZ 50
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 22 Feb 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood
Crashed into Eyre River Bed 12 Dec 1941
Written off
NZ 801
Constructors No.: DHNZ 51
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 21 Feb 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood
Entered a spin from a left hand gliding turn at 1,000 ft,
Crashed into ground 0915 on 6 Jun 1942
Near Waimakariri River
LAC Douglas Moir killed
NZ 802
Constructors No.: DHNZ 52
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 21 Feb 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942
Issued free from Wigram
To Middle Districts Aero Club 10 Feb 1948
Registered ZK – ASC
To Manawatu Aerial Top Dressing Jul 1950
Converted to Top dresser
Entered service 26 Sep 1950
To Advance Aviation, Kaitaia 20 Feb 1955
Crashed at Punakitere, near Kaikohe 17 May 1957
Written off
NZ 803
Constructors No.: DHNZ 53
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 11 Mar 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1944
To 3 EFTS Harewood
Crashed at Harewood 21 Jun 1945
Written Off 3 Jul 1945
spreading 150 ton [1 ton = 2240 lb] in 4 days at Glencoe Station 23 Mar 1953
NZ 804
Construtors No.: DHNZ 54
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 7 Mar 1941
Issued free from Taieri
To Nelson Aero Club 3 Mar 1950
Registered ZK – AWJ 28 Jul 1950
To Aerial Projects Ltd, Hastings 12 Nov 1951
Converted to Top dresser
withdrawn from use Placed into storage 1958
Re activated Apr 1959
Company name Changed to Sherwood Aviation 1960
De Registered at Owners request
Withdrawn from Service and scrapped 25 Mar 1960
NZ 805
Constructors No.: DHNZ 55
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 14 Mar 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1941 – 1943
Failed to recover from a spin
Crashed and caught fire at Taieri 1450 on 14 Jan 1943
F/O Jack King bailed out, Parachute failed to deploy killed
LAC John Graham killed
NZ 806
Constructors No.: DHNZ 56
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 19 Mar 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri Feb 1941
Extensively damaged landing in a gale at Taieri
Wingtip hit the ground 26 Feb 1942
The A/C cart wheeled, uneconomical to repair 27 Feb 1942
NZ 807
Constructors No.: DHNZ 57
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 26 Mar 1941
To 4 EFTS Whenuapai 1941
Damaged in a ground collision with
Vildebeeste NZ 132 at Gisborne
While being used by 8 GR Sqn 16 Nov 1942
Repaired And returned to service
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Otago Aero Club 31 Jul 1946
Registered ZK – AKH 31 Jul 1946
To E Moffat, Timaru mid 1950s
To R Fenton, Timaru Oct 1958
To J Rolleston, and others, Timaru 1959
To E Moffat, Geraldine 1961
To J Hanlon, Dunedin 1 Dec 1965
Stored in pieces 1971
Re assembled
Crashed and burned, destroyed by the fire
At Waimate Aerodrome 31 Mar 1975
Pilot killed
The A/C was part of a formation flight when it dropped astern,
Lost altitude, entered a steep dive and crashed into the Airfield
NZ 808
Constructors No.: DHNZ 58
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 14 Mar 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1943 – 1944
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Nelson Aero Club 27 Jun 1946
Registered ZK – AKD Jun 1946
Missing on a flight from Takaka 16 Nov 1946
Wreckage subsequently washed up on Whariwharangi Bay
This was the first Civilian Tiger Moth Accident in N Z
Missing – Chris Rudge -
Mr. Max John Richard Heath. age 25, with 4 years of flying in RNZAF and over 1000 hrs total flying time
After a quick check flight with the Nelson Aero clubs instructor, he departed Takaka airfield for a 1 to 1.5 hr solo flight.
The A/C had 2 hrs fuel on board at the time.
The search was commenced at 1515hrs when ZK - AKD failed to return.
At 1800 on 17 Nov, a report was received from a constable who had discovered a piece of what he thought to be an A/C
near Separation Point.
On Mon 18 a launch carried a search party to Whariwharangi Bay to the west of separation point where further wreckage was found.
The main wreckage and the body of Mr. Heath have not been found.
NZ 809
Constructors No.: DHNZ 59
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 4 Apr 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942
Issued free from Taieri
To New Plymouth Aero Club 13 Feb 1949
Registered ZK – AXA
Not used by Aero Club
To Southland and Otago Aerial Top Dressing Co
Converted to Top dresser
Entered service 1951
To Air Services Wairarapa Ltd, Masterton 26 Dec 1955
Hit a hill at Timaru 13 Apr 1956
To Air Contracts Ltd, in a damaged state
To Aerial Superspread Ltd, after rebuild 23 Sep 1956
Withdrawn from use 1957
To Aerial Spraying NZ Ltd. Feilding
Broken up for spares 1958
De Registered 8 Apr 1958
NZ 810
Constructors No.: DHNZ 60
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 10 Apr 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942
Damaged propeller and wing after hitting
Fence at Outram during forced landing practice 29 Sep 1942
Repaired And returned to service
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1944
Transferred to Taieri for storage 14 Oct 1944
Issued free from Taieri
To Marlborough Aero Club 21 Sep 1948
Was used for spares and never registered
Fuselage sold and transported to Hawkes Bay
For use in rebuild of ZK – BEF
NZ 811
Constructors No.: DHNZ 61
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 24 Apr 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942 – 1944
From 42 Sqn
To De Havilland Rongotai,
Incomplete and dismantled 16 Jan 1946
Written off 20 Feb 1946
NZ 812
Constructors No.: DHNZ 62
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 24 Apr 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942 – 1943
Crashed at Harewood 12 Jul 1943
Written off reduced to spares 27 Jul 1943
NZ 813
Constructors No.: DHNZ 63
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 2 May 1941
Issued free from Taieri
To Middle Districts Aero Club 13 Mar 1949
Registered ZK – ASD
To Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club Jun 1949
Crashed near Hastings 20 Aug 1949
Remains sold to W Bower and Co Ltd to be used as spare parts
NZ 814
Constructors No.: DHNZ 64
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 7 May 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1943 – 1944
Sold from Whenuapai
To Marlborough Aero Club 2 Oct 1946
Registered ZK – AIT 1946
To Airlift NZ Ltd, Wellington
Converted to Top dresser 1 Oct 1954
Crashed into trees near Ekatahuna 30 Jun1955
Damaged beyond repair
Canceled from register 6 Jun 1957
NZ 815
Constructors No.: DHNZ 65
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 15 May 1941
To 4 EFTS Whenuapai 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1944
Sold from Taieri
To Aircraft Services Ltd 19 Mar 1947
Registered ZK –AOU
To Auckland Aviation Services Ltd 1950
Converted to Top dresser
Hit fence on take off during top dressing
Operations at Poutu 12 May 1953
Written Off
Total 5 accidents recorded
NZ 816
Constructors No.: DHNZ 66
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 15 May 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1943 – 1944
Sold from Taieri
To W Harding 13 Feb 1948
Registered ZK – ARO
Converted to Top dresser
To Wanganui Aerial Work
Entered service 27 Apr 1950
Crashed at Hurleyville
14 Km East of Hawera 27 Apr 1950
Mr Doug Hollaway killed
NZ 817
Constructors No.: DHNZ 67
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 20 May 1941
Issued free from Taieri
To Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club 26 May 1950
Used for spares, never registered
NZ 818
Constructors No.: DHNZ 68
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 21 May 1941
Fitted with canopy early 1943
Sold from 42 Sqn
To New Plymouth Aero Club 27 Jun 1946
Registered ZK – AKE
To Aerodress Ltd, Dannevirke
Converted to Top dresser Dec 1951
To J Richardson, Feilding 24 Jun 1957
Crashed near Feilding 13 Sep 1961
NZ 819
Constructors No.: DHNZ 69
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 2 Jun 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1942
Destroyed by fire while on the ground 8 Nov 1942
A spark from the funnel of a traction engine passing
Down the road near the Airfield set the grass on fire
This fire in turn ignited the A/C, destroying it
NZ 820
Constructors No.: DHNZ 70
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 25 Jul 1941
Sold from Wigram
To Wellington Aero Club 25 Jul 1947
Registered ZK – ALX
To Aerial Work Marlborough Ltd
Converted to Top dresser 1 May 1950
To Farmers Aerial Top Dressing Co Ltd 26 Sep 1956
To E McIvor, Te Anau 19 Feb 1960
To B Meehan, Karitane 9 Oct 1961
To Wigram Gliding Club Jan 1965
Last flight 8 Jan 1965
Used for spares, stored in hanger at Wigram
De Registered withdrawn from use 24 Feb 1965
Re Registered S Tantrum, Levin
After restoration 7 Jan 1981
To Johnston/Harvey Syndicate, Taupo 31 Aug 1981
To S Tantrum, Levin Mar 1985
Crashed at Foxpine Aerodrome,
Dived into ground, A/C described as destroyed 5 Jan 1986
Pilot and passenger had serious injury
To N and K Smith, Taupo 31 Aug 1993
To Johnston/Harvey Syndicate, Tauranga 2 Feb 1994
Crashed after diving into orchard near Tauranga
Serious injury to pilot 2 Feb 1994
De Registered 22 Dec 1994
To S Tantrum, stored at Omaka waiting it’s eighth major rebuild
NZ 821
Constructors No.: DHNZ 71
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 4 Jun 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1942 – 1944
Sold from Wigram
To Aircraft Services Ltd 10 Nov 1947
Registered ZK – ARI
Overhauled by Aircraft Services
To F Mc Keever, Onehunga
Used as a Company Hack
Named “ Monkey Airways” on engine cowling
To Auckland Aviation Service
Converted to Top dresser Mar 1950
Re converted To original configuration used for pilot training Dec 1956
Crashed at Waimaramara during a
Non top dressing flight 2 Feb 1957
Mr Euan Bowman killed
NZ 822
Constructors No.: DHNZ 72
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 7 Jun 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1942 – 1944
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Middle Districts Aero Club 30 Jan 1946
Registered ZK – AIH 13 Jan 1946
Crashed at Rongotea 3 Jun 1951
Remains sold to W Bower and Co Ltd
Used for parts
De Registered 6 Jun 1957
NZ 823
Constructors No.: DHNZ 73
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 13 Jun 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1944
Issued free from Taieri
To New Plymouth Aero Club 28 May 1949
Registered ZK – ATQ
The club did not use the A/C but on sold
To Miles King
Converted to Top dresser
For Rural Aviation Ltd New Plymouth
Named “ TIPITOUT”
Crashed at Awakino 29 Apr 1953
De Registered 9 May 1953
NZ 824
Constructors No.: DHNZ 74
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 25 Jun 1941
First flight at Rongotai 23 Jun 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 13 Jul 1941
Suffered extensive damage landing
Out of wind at Silverstream 12 Aug 1941
Fuselage to Rongotai for repair 15 Sep 1941
Test flown after the repair/rebuild 11 Dec 1941
To Taieri 23 Dec 1941
Stored May and Jun 1942
To Rongotai for complete overhaul
Flown 1734.20 hrs 28 Apr 1944
To 1 EFTS Taieri 14 sep 1944
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Tauranga Aero Club 25 Jun 1946
Registered ZK – AJU Jun 1946
Total hours 2126. 15 hrs
Crashed at Opotiki 31 Oct 1954
NZ 825
Constructors No.: DHNZ 75
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 25 Jun 1941
Issued free from 42 Sqn
To Middle Districts Aero Club 11 Jan 1946
Registered ZK – AIB
To W Bower and Company
Converted to Top dresser Jan 1954
Stalled in a turn at Putara and crashed
Not rebuilt 17 May 1954
To Aviation Sales and Services
To Hawera Aero Club Jun 1957
To Aircraft Sales And Service Palmerston North Jun 1958
Fuselage in Kairanga 1961
De Registered as dismantled 2 Nov 1962
To Colin Smith, Gore 1980
Re Registered C Smith, Gore 5 Jun 1987
De Registered withdrawn 31 Aug 2001
Believed under restoration at Mandeville
NZ 826
Constructors No.: DHNZ 76
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 27 Jun 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1941 – 1944
To 42 Sqn
At Rotorua On fire watching duties Aug 1945 – Apr 1946
Destroyed by fire in Exhibition Buildings, Rongotai 25 Sep 1946
NZ 827
Constructors No.: DHNZ 77
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 7 Jul 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942
Stalled on final approach and crashed into
Ground half mile south of airfield 0805 on 20 Oct 1943
Lt John Richter Killed
ZK - APL
NZ 828
Comstructors No.: DHNZ 78
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 14 Jul 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1944
Sold from Woodbourne
To F Eustage, Palmerston North 30 Dec 1946
Registered ZK – ANI 9 Jan 1947
This sale did not proceed
De Registered 14 May 1947
To J Gould, Paraparaumu 2 May 1947
Re Registered ZK – APL 6 May 1947
Used by Paraparaumu Flying school
Crashed near Paraparaumu 24 Dec 1947
NZ 829
Constructors No.: DHNZ 79
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 17 Jul 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood
Crashed 4 Km north of Harewood 3 Mar 1942
Written off 26 Mar 1942
NZ 830
Constructors No.: DHNZ 80
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 16 Jul 1941
To 4 EFTS Whenuapai 22 Jul 1941 – 7 Mar 1942
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth
Moved to Ashburton 1942 – 1943
To 3 EFTS Harewood 9 Dec 1943 – 7 Nov 1944
To Woodbourne for storage 7 Nov 1944
Sold from Woodbourne
To Marlborough Aero Club 4 Mar 1947
Registered ZK – AON 13 Mar 1947
To Willmotts Aerial Top Dressing Co Ltd, Aug 1951
To Auster Air Services 9 Dec 1959
To Aerial Sowing Canterbury Ltd, Timaru Late 1961
To Auster Air Services, Timaru
Converted to A sprayer until 1965
To Aerotech Ltd, Timaru
To S Brodie, Rangitata Island
De Registered 29 Jul 1968
Stored at Timaru
Re Registered
To W and Y Lamb, West Melton 10 Aug 1988
Currently still airworthy
NZ 831
Constructors No.: DHNZ 81
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 18 Jul 1941
To 3 EFTs Harewood Early 1942
To 2 EFTS Ashburton Late 1942
Issued free from 42 Sqn
To Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club 20 Feb 1946
Registered ZK – AID 20 Feb 1946
Crashed near Pakowai, near Hastings 22 Jan 1949
De Registered 28 Mar 1949
Remains purchased by Robertson Air Services Ltd, Hamilton
Rebuilt as Top dresser
Re Registered ZK – AVD 8 Jun 1950
To W Bower and Co
Delivered 22 May 1953
To Aviation Sales and Service Ltd 20 Jun 1958
De Registered broken up for parts 24 Jun 1958
NZ 832
Constructors No.: DHNZ 82
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 22 Jul 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri
Mid air at 500 ft with NZ 781 near Taieri
The lower wing collapsed and the
A/C spun into the ground 22 Mar 1944
LAC Andrew Downie killed
Written off 15 Apr1944
NZ 833
Constructors No.: DHNZ 83
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 19 Aug 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942
Spun into ground at Harewood 15 May 1945
Written off 6 Jun 1945
NZ 834
Constructors No.: DHNZ 84
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 19 Aug 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton Jan 1944
Issued free from Wigram
To Auckland Aero Club 4 Mar 1949
Used for spares and never registered
NZ 835
Constructors No.: DHNZ 85
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 25 Aug 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth
Moved to Ashburton 1942 – 1943
Issued free from Wigram
To Otago Club 1 Apr 1948
Not used by aero club but on sold
To Southland and Otago Aerial Top Dressing Co
Registered ZK – AVO 8 Jun 1950
Hit fence and over turned during a down
Wind take off at Pukerau 14 Apr 1951
Repaired And returned to service until first
Fletcher’s A/C’s arrival 1955
NZ 836
Constructors No.: DHNZ 86
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 29 Aug 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1942 - 1943
Issued free from Wigram
To Southland Aero Club 3 Mar 1947
Registered ZK – AYF 7 Mar 1951
Crashed At Gore 1 Apr 1956
NZ 837
Constructors No.: DHNZ 86
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 30 Aug 1941
To 4 EFTS Whenuapai 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942 – 1943
During a forced landing practice at Brighton
The A/C lost 6 inches from the tip
Of the propeller 29 Sep 1942
Sold from Taieri
To C Roscoe, New Brighton 20 Feb 1947
Registered ZK – AOQ 19 Mar 1947
To Aerial Sowing Canterbury Ltd
Converted to a Top dresser end of 1950
Crashed near Oamaru 21 Sep 1955
De Registered at owners request 24 Aug 1962
NZ 838
Constructors No.: DHNZ 88
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 4 Sept 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1943 – 1944
Issued free from Wigram
To Kaitaia Aero Club 18 Mar 1949
Registered ZK – ATC 5 May 1949
To Northern Air Services Jun 1953
To Wanganui Aero Club May 1955
To Stratford Aero Club Mar 1956
To Piako Aero Club Oct 1957
To J Rees and A Rasmussen, Te Ahoha 1958
To W Vallis, Matamata 1961
To Auckland Flying School, Ardmore 1966
To D Stirling Feb 1967
To D Schroeder, Auckland 1 May 1967
Crashed at Tinopai after hitting fence on
Take off, the A/C stalled and struck a creek bank
And according to accident report “ was destroyed” 19 Oct 1969
Rebuilt At Matamata early 1970s
To M Broadbent, Auckland 11 Jan 1978
Dismantled at Ardmore and shipped to Australia early 1991
De Registered Exported to Australia 11 Sep 1991
Registered VH – DOC
To M Broadbent, Southport, Queensland 5 Feb 1992
Rebuilt And overhauled Mar 1992
Currently airworthy in Australia
NZ 839
Constructors No.: DHNZ 89
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 5 Sept 1941
To 4 EFTS Whenuapai 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1942
Mid air with Tiger Moth NZ 1429 at
Harris field near Harewood 0945 on 27 Jul 1942
LAC R Knight serious injury
Written off reduced to spares 20 Aug 1942
NZ 840
Constructors No.: DHNZ 90
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 17 Sept 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth
Stalled in a turn near Bell Block 26 Jan 1942
Written off at Ashburton
NZ 841
Constructors No.: DHNZ 91
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 12Sept 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1942 – 1943
Sold from Whenuapai
To Tauranga Aero Club 21 Dec 1946
Registered ZK – ALM
To Airspread Ltd, Tauranga
Converted to Top dresser 11 Aug 1950
Airspread became part of James aviation
A/C was retained by Ron Graham 1962
Converted for Spraying
Nucleus of new Company
New Airspray Company became part of James Aviation
A/C retained by Ron Graham Mar 1967
To Tauranga Gliding Club 13 Jun 1972
To B Crispin and B Emerson, Masterton 14 Aug 1974
To B Emerson, Gisborne 28 Jun 1977
To J Moore, Hamilton 1978
Stalled and dived into the ground during a “ go around”
Following an aborted landing at Te Kowhai
Accident report described the A/C as destroyed 24 Jan 1981
Rebuilt by Charlie Liddell and test flown on 2 Dec 1983
To J Taylor, Auckland 15 May 1984
To M Lincoln, Auckland Aug 1984
To King, Ives, Doherty Syndicate, Auckland 21 Jun 1985
Took part in the Millenium Air Rally from
North Cape to the Bluff between 9 to 18 Feb 2000
Currently airworthy
10 accidents in it’s career 1 RNZAF Service 9 Civilian
Crashed while aerial spraying, repaired
NZ 842
Constructors No.: DHNZ 92
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 22 Sept 1941
Issued free from Wigram
To Otago Aero Club 18 Dec 1946
Registered ZK – ATL
Not used by club on sold
To R Geddis, Willowbridge
To Aerial Fertilising Ltd
To Aerial Agriculture Ltd, Hastings 16 Oct 1951
Disappeared, took off for a 20 min spraying flight in
Perfect weather conditions 20 miles from Napier,
No trace of A/C or pilot Mr. Bob Taylor ever found
Presumed to have flown out to sea and crashed but
No reason for this action has been found 27 Sep 1958
A/C had Flown 3633.00 hrs on disappearance
Missing without trace – Chris Rudge
Pilot D’Arcy Robert Taylor age 35 took off in good visibility and no wind to carry out a
spraying flight of 20 min,
Taylor had flown out to Ridgemont Station, north of Napier, to inspect the strip and the area,
he had been requested to spray100 acres of thistle with a non-toxic mixture of hormone and diesel.
He then returned to Bridge Pa to make the necessary arrangements to send the pumping gear by road,
this was delivered by 1300 hrs,
Taylor spoke with the farm manager and it was hoped, weather permitting, that the job would be carried out the following morning.
That night Taylor phoned the manager of Aerial Agriculture Ltd and outlined the deal he had made,
he estimated the job would take 3 hrs but to be on the safe side he had instructed the loader driver to bring two additional four gal tins of aircraft fuel out with him.
Next day [Sat 27 Sept ] Taylor left Hastings after an early breakfast of biscuits and coffee,
he drove to Bridge Pa to pick up the Tiger, which had been refueled to its maximum 19 gals the previous day.
Taylor then flew up to Ridgemont Station arriving there at 0550. The loader driver and his father noticed that Taylor was “suffering from the cold” and not wrapped up as warm as usual.
Taylor started spraying at 0600 hrs, then after four 20 min flights he stopped around 0720 hrs to refuel his A/C
and have some tea and sandwiches before resuming spraying.
He did another 3 flights then took off on his final flight about 0830 hrs.
This departure was not noticed by the loader – driver as he was busy mixing chemicals at the time and the sound of the pump drowned out the sound of the a/c engine.
It was not until he switched the pump off 4 or 5 minutes later that he realized he could not hear the
sound of the A/C in the valley.
He waited 10 min beyond the normal time of return, then accompanied by his father,
searched the valley from various vantage points finally arriving at the main road some 10 miles distant
at 0930 hrs where telephoned for assistance.
Eight farmers who were familiar with the ground began a ground search immediately.
NZ 843
Constructors No.: DHL 93
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 23 Sept 1941
To 3 EFTS Harewood 1943 – 1944
Sold from Wigram
To Mr Stevenson 25 Feb 1948
Registered ZK – AQN 1 Sep 1947
To J Dobson
Crashed near Highbank 16 Jan 1949
NZ 844
Constructors No.: DHNZ 94
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 30 Sept 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth
Caught in bad weather and descended through a gap
In the cloud to attempt a forced landing on a football field,
Stalled on final approach, crashed and burned at
Tokirima near Taumarunui 1200 7 Mar 1943
LAC Ronald Jones killed
Written off
NZ 845
Constructors No,: DHNZ 95
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 30 Sept 1941
To 2 EFTS Ashburton 1943
Crashed 4 Km from Mayfield 10 Oct 1944
Written off Ashburton
NZ 846
Constructors No.: DHNZ 96
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 30 Sept 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942
Sold from 42 Sqn
To Tauranga Aero Club 2 Aug 1946
Registered ZK – AJT Jun 1946
Crashed in Kaimai Ranges 31 Dec 1948
NZ 847
Constructors No.: DHNZ 97
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 10 Oct 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942
Fitted with canopy early 1942
With ATC Touring flight 11 Jan – Jul 1944
Sold from 42 Sqn
To New Plymouth Aero Club 9 Aug 1946
Registered ZK – AKC 24 Jun 1946
To J Wells, Dargaville late 1957
To J Harvey
To North Otago Gliding Club 1958
To J Hanlon, Dunedin
Crashed and overturned at Wanaka 4 Jan 1965
Stored in pieces at Dunedin 1971
De Registered withdrawn from service 13 Nov 1973
To T Grant, Mosgiel for restoration 19 Nov 1974
To T Grant and J Hanlon, Mosgiel 11 Feb 1975
To T Grant, Mosgiel 24 Apr 1975
To J Crosbie, Pukekohe 19 Jan 1982
To Allied Press Ltd, Dunedin 3 May 1990
Severely damaged in fence strike during
Precautionary landing at Waitahun, Otago 5 Dec 1999
Repaired by Croydon Aircraft Co, Mandeville
Regained air worthiness 26 Nov 2001
Stalled during take off with banner at
Taieri Airfield 3 Nov 2001
The A/C flipped onto it’s back causing substantial
Damage to fuselage and wings
Repaired by Ray Goulding, Rangiora
Regained air worthiness Nov 2003
Operating from Taieri
Julian Smith, Allied Press Ltd
NZ 848
Constructors No.: DHNZ 98
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 18 Oct 1941
To 1 EFTS Taieri 1942 – 1943
Sold from Wigram
To Canterbury Aero Club 19 Jul 1946
Registered ZK – AJG
To James Aviation top dresser Oct 1949
To Hauraki Aero Club May 1956
Entered a spin and dived into the ground
At Thames Airfield 19 Jan 1958
Killing the pilot
NZ 849
Cnstructors No.: DHNZ 99
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 22 Oct 1941
To 1 EFTS Taihape 1941 – 1943
Issued free from Wigram
To Canterbury Aero Club 15 Apr 1948
Registered ZK – ARU 25 May 1946
To C Hewett 30 Nov 1948
Part of “ Flying Kiwi’s” aerobatic team
De Registered Exported to Australia late 1949
Registered VH – BNO
To C Hewett, Sydney, NSW 16 Dec 1949
De Registered Exported to NZ
Registered ZK – ARU 2 May 1951
To Southland Aerial Top Dressing Ltd
[ Hewett Aviation] 1951
To Airwork
Crashed in Conway River and written Off 30 Mar 1955
NZ 850
Constructors No.: DHNZ 100
Built at Rongotai
B O C Unit 18 Rongotai 24 Oct 1941
To 2 EFTS New Plymouth
Moved to Ashburton 1941 – 1944
Issued free from Wigram
To Hawera Aero Club 5 Jul 1948
Registered ZK – ASB
To Rotorua and Bay Of Plenty Aero Club Jul 1948
Clipped a tree during landing approach lost wing
Crashed at Whakarewarewa 7 Apr 1951
Pilot suffered minor injury
unsourced photos ex Ohakea Museum
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner
It is a pity that the biplanes were forgotten
There are still a few here in NZ. The cost of maintainence has helped to stop them flying. Modern pilots would sooner be in a warm cockpit rather than an open cockpit with the wind racing past at 100 + miles an hour, not nice in winter.
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