The world’s first AgDak, ZK-AZL, has been removed from her outdoor display area at Hamilton’s Mystery Creek events centre and taken to Hamilton Airport for repair and conservation work.
The move was carried out during the second week of February this year.
ZK-AZL at Hamilton Airport today, after the move
The history of this aircraft, as given in my NZ DC-3 coverage at
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=civil&action=display&thread=14003&page=1
“NZ3545 had served with the RNZAF from June 1945 as a C-47B-35-DK.
This aircraft was issued to NAC in April 1953, and was allotted the civil registration ZK-AZL on 14Apr1953 and the name Kuaka.
At this time, plans for the 1953 Royal Visit were being drawn up, and these included the provision of a C-47 to be used as a backup and baggage aircraft.
Consequentially, ZK-AZL was returned to the RNZAF before any conversion work took place and resumed its serial of NZ3545.
In the meantime, Ozzie James had been petitioning the Government for access to a DC-3 to try out his heavy topdressing aircraft ideas.
Consequentially, at the conclusion of its Royal duties, NZ3545 was converted by NAC to a topdressing configuration and was issued to
James Aviation in May1954 having already clocked up 4081hrs.
After a considerable period of trials, commercial operation of this aircraft commenced on 3Dec1955.
ZK-AZL in early JAL colours, presumably just an overpaint of its military colourscheme. The name ‘HiLand Duster’ has already been applied.
Refuelling ‘in the field’ courtesy of Vacuum Petroleum Company
ZK-AZL was the first DC-3 to be used in agricultural work. A number of others followed in New Zealand, and I understand that one further DC-3 was later used in this type of work in Iceland.
When the Airland consortium was formed in 1961, James Aviation lent ZK-AZL to that company.
ZK-AZL in Airland colours
Returning to the James Aviation fold in 1964, ZK-AZL was then repainted into the standard JAL fleet livery
ZK-AZL at Napier 17Feb1966
At Milson, Palmerston North, 1970s
ZK-AZL was eventually withdrawn from service on 4Sep74 at Rukuhia @ 14040hrs. The registration was cancelled on 6Jun1984.
Derelict in the James Aviation compound at Rukuhia 2Jul1978
Presented to Agricultural Heritage Museum, Mystery Creek, Hamilton, it has been on outside display there for many years in advertisers colours, with the inevitable degradation.
ZK-AZL at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, 12Oct2008. Note the name ‘Highland Duster’ has been wrongly applied
By: flyernzl - 8th October 2013 at 22:33
I have now been shown photographic proof that the James Aviation sigwriting was indeed present under the starboard wing at some stage in its active life.
Fair enough. Live and learn.
Presumably Fieldays is not an airfield?
The Fieldays site at Mystery Creek is a rural property located just a short distance from Hamilton Airport.
It’s prime function is to hold the annual four-day Field-days agricultral show, which attracts over 125,000 visitors not only from the New Zealand farming community but also from around the world.
The site also operates as a function and exhibition centre at other times of the year.
By: Newforest - 7th October 2013 at 12:33
Looks very impressive now. Presumably Fieldays is not an airfield?
By: flyernzl - 7th October 2013 at 11:52
A few days ago I managed to gain access to the Fieldays site at Mystery Creek and look at the restored ZK-AZL.
The aircraft sits in its own area, under a protective roof
The paintwork is a reasonable replication of the original but does not feature the ‘HiLand Duster’ name, and I don’t recollect the ‘James Aviation Limited’ as now painted under the starboard wing
Although the roof does provide some weather protection, our feathered friends are still able to deposit their marks in the aircraft.
Note that the front view of the engines are actually just a photographic rendition of the original. No engines are now fitted.
All in all, quite a good effort.
By: Flatcat - 23rd July 2012 at 10:58
She’s got to be one of my earliest memories of the Fielddays at Mystery Creek. Looking good.
By: DaveM2 - 23rd July 2012 at 08:24
Check out progress – looking good!
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Airshows&action=display&thread=11928&page=5
By: Newforest - 23rd July 2012 at 08:07
Great report, must have missed it first time around! 🙂
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February 12, 2012 at 8:47 am