Friday 12 June 2009

"Once Were Kiwis"

Based on the island of Malolo Lailai, about a 15min flight from Nadi, is once long time NZ resident Cessna U206F ZK-DXD now on the local register as DQ-DXD. It has been in Fiji with its owner, Dick Smith (Musket Cove Resort), for a number of years now however only transferred to the DQ register in April 2008. The aircraft was listed for sale since it has been in Fiji as the owner was looking to purchase a light twin however these plans have since been shelved.
The aircraft spent a good part of its life on floats while in NZ operating from Te Anau and Picton.

Malolo Lailai May 2009
And going back a year or three!
Wanaka Easter 1988
Picton 14 Aug 1990
Nelson 20 Nov 1991
North Shore 28 Nov 1998

North Shore 26 July 2001
AS350FX Squirrel DQ-HFX also has a NZ history arriving from Japan as JA6039 during November 2005 and undergoing a rebuild with Oceania at Ardmore (where it was still just a B model). It was then moved to Queenstown with the Helicopter Line as ZK-HNG in March 2006 and at some point was modified to a "FX" and its registration changed to ZK-IFX effective 03Aug 2007. It was noted at the Oceania hanger September 2008 and subsequently cancelled that same month on export to Fiji where it now flies with Island Hoppers.
Malolo Lailai May 2009
As ZK-HNG at Ardmore May 2007
As ZK-IFX at Ardmore Sep 2008

2 comments:

  1. Some good recent threads here Mike.

    I especially like the real aeroplane you now have as a header.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thought you might appreciate the new header shot BB, I chose it for you especially! Considering we had the type as a quiz I thought as a prize to myself I would change the header!

    ReplyDelete