Sunday 23 May 2010

De Havilland DH94 Moth Minor ZK-AKM

De Havilland DH94 Moth Minor ZK-AKM , c/n 94012 , first flew in the UK as G-AFON on 11-07-1939 and was registered to the London Aeroplane Club on the following day. It managed to avoid being impressed into UK military service and was cancelled as exported to Australia in February of 1940.I next have it as being listed as ZK-AHK with the New Plymouth Aero Club with its first flight in NZ on 12-09-1941.
It was impressed into RNZAF service in 1942 (I have two dates - 13-09-1942 and taken on charge on 07-10-1942). It is know to have served with 22 Squadron at Norwood and the Communications Flight at Rongotai from 19-02-1943.
Post war (I assume) it was overhauled by Aircraft Services and returned to the New Plymouth Aero Club but re-registered ZK-AKM from 20-02-1947.

It then passed through a series of private owners - dates and locations are uncertain - This includes H H Wood; G C Roberts of Tauranga and about here became "The Happy Wanderer"; B E Smith; Otaki and Districts Aero Club (1960?); J E Moon & B J Farrell, Woodbourne; L Gatehouse, Blenheim; D K Lilico, Auckland & was ground looped at Raglan on 02-03-1969; to P E Thwaites, H D Kidd & R Stanley at Auckland on 03-05-1971; Myles Robertson, Dairy Flat in 1977 & about here was painted as NZ597; To H Wallace McNair, R Stanley & G Stan Smith of Auckland from 08-12-1983: Finally to G S & G A Smith (Smith's Tech-Air [NZ] Ltd, North Shore on 11-12-1991.

Again, any additional information would be most welcome.
Both pics taken at Paraparaumu on 21-02-1971.

4 comments:

  1. My father Bruce Smith owned this plane in 1959/1960. I have colour pics of it taken on his farm at Eskdale, Albury, South Canterbury.

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  2. Good evening there Besley.
    Any further history or copy of photos from that period would be much appreciated.
    Thanks
    Cheers Dave P (Blue Bus)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dave
      How do I upload or copy pics to this site. Nothing seems to work for me

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    2. In a couple of words - You Can't - unless you are a signed in Author.
      I can get you signed in - but then you have to learn how to enter up the posts.
      Or you could send me the pics etc and I could post them for you !

      If you want to have a go just send your email address direct to me at paulldj@xtra.co.nz

      Don't put it on these remark pages or all our readers will get to see it.
      Cheers
      Dave

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