Census of New Zealand DC-3s

NEW ZEALAND

Flying	3
Non-Flying	-
Preserved	12
Wreckage	1
TOTAL	16

C/N	Regn	Previous Identities	Owner	Location	Status	Note
4363	ZK-JGB	4703 (BuNo) N1699M N69D N1699M N234Z HZ-TA3 N234Z ZS-MRU N451ZS	Airscapade Affairs Limited	Wanaka, NZ	F	17
9420	NZ3503	42-23558	Hector McLean	Tokanui, NZ	W	1 13
13319	17221	42-93410	Ferrymead Aero. Soc.	Christchurch, NZ	P	2
13506	ZK-AMY	42-93579 VH-ASD VH-CAN	Southern DC3 Limited	Ashburton, NZ	P	15
13521	ZK-BKD	42-93592 VH-ANU	Smash Palace Wine Bar	Gisborne, NZ	P	3
18923	ZK-CAW	42-100460 VH-ANM ZK-CAW VQ-FAI	McDonald's Restaurant	Taupo, NZ	P	4
20051	ZK-BYF	43-15585 NC65393 "NZ3547"	Tairawhiti Aviation Museum (previously G.A.P.S.)	Gisborne, NZ	P	5
15035/ 26480	ZK-DAK	43-49219 PI-C486 VH-PNM VH-SBT	Future Flight Limited	Ardmore, NZ	F	6
15699/ 27144	ZK-AZA	43-49883 NZ3531 ZK-AZA VQ-FBF DQ-FBF	Unknown	Aitutaki (Cook Islands)	P	16
15945/ 32693	ZK-APB	44-76361 NZ3534	Athol Murray	Dipton, NZ	P	7
16387/ 33135	ZK-AWP	44-76803 NZ3543 ZK-AWP 5W-FAI ZK-AWP A3-AWP	Air Chathams Limited	Tauranga , NZ	F	9 15
16567/ 33315	ZK-BQK	44-76983 NZ3544 ZK-BQK 5W-FAH	M.O.T.T. & S.H.	Auckland, NZ	P	10
16568/ 33316	ZK-AZL	44-76984 NZ3545	Te Kowhai Airfield	Hamilton, NZ	P	18
16732/ 33480	ZK-AWO	44-77148 NZ3548	C. Rudge	Omarama, NZ	P	11
16963/ 34223	NZ3551	45-960	Air Force World	Wigram, NZ	P	.
16967/ 34227	ZK-APK	45-964 NZ3556 ZK-AOK ZK-APK VQ-FAH	Brendan Cottle	Shannon, NZ	P	12

DELETED

C/N	Regn	Previous Identities	Owner	Location	Note
15995/ 32743	ZK-AXS	44-76411 KN372	Wellington Airport	Wellington, NZ	8
There have been no recent sightings of this airframe so it was removed from the list on 30NOV19 as presumed scrapped.

AMENDMENT RECORD

[The latest amendment is at the top]

ISSUE

DATE

REMARKS

07APR23

On 01APR23 ZK-JGB was noted in storage in the compound of the National Transport & Toy Museum at Wanaka. The aircraft is in good condition and is seemingly being stored on behalf of the owners.

08JUL22

The previously unidentified nose section at Tokanui is now thought to be NZ3503 which was previously listed under the ownership of Air Force World at Wigram. The aircraft was parted out at Wigram and components have been observed at South Island locations. Notably the cockpit section has been at the Air Force Museum and by process of elimination it is believed that the large shed in the Catlins also originated from NZ3503's fuselage. As this aircraft was previously listed twice the total has been reduced from 17 to 16.

19MAY21

ZK-APK has been moved to Shannon for restoration before being returned to Mangaweka.
ZK-AWP is expected to spend the winter hangared at Mangere.
Thanks to Peter Layne for these updates.

01DEC20

Updated the status of ZK-JGB. The Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society, owners of ZK-BYF, are now known as the Tairawhiti Aviation Museum. Thanks to Peter Layne for these updates.

16SEP20

Updated the status of ZK-JGB and ZK-AWP and ZK-BYF. Thanks to Peter Layne.

30NOV19

ZK-AXS has been deleted as there have been no recent sightings and it is presumed that the airframe has been scrapped. The details of this aircraft are retained in a new "DELETED" table. See Note 8

16MAY19

ZK-AZL has been moved from Mystery Creek to Te Kowhai Airfield. See Note 18

31OCT15

ZK-AWP has inaugurated a weekly scheduled service from Auckland to Whakatane. See Note 9 .

14OCT15

The nose section of ZK-APB now belongs to Athol Murray of Dipton. See Note 7.

12MAR15

The Airscapade DC-3 ZK-JGB has been advertised for sale. See Note 17.

23FEB15

The Airscapade DC-3 N451ZS was registered ZK-JGB on 16FEB15. See Note 17.

25JUN14

ZK-AMY was retired to the Ashburton Aviation Museum on 26JAN14. See Note 15.

04JAN14

The nose section of ZK-APB was sold to an unknown buyer on 15DEC13. See Note 7.
Added the Airscapade DC-3 N451ZS as it has seemingly taken up residence. See Note 17.

23DEC13

ZK-AWP has returned to NZ, arriving at Auckland on 22DEC13. See Note 15.

08DEC13

ZK-AWP has been reinstated. See Note 15.

01APR08

Chris Rudge confirms that he is still the owner of the nose section of ZK-AWO. See Note 11.

31MAR08

The nose section of ZK-AWO was noted at Omarama on 24MAR08. See Note 11.

29JUL07

Added ZK-AZA. See Note 16.

06APR07

ZK-AMY was registered to Southern DC-3 Limited on 23FEB07. Peter Layne, the compiler of this page, is a member of the syndicate. See Note 15.

28MAR06

The former ZK-AWP has been re-registered A3-AWP and continues to serve with Peau Vava'u of Tonga.

27MAR06

The former ZK-AMS has been re-registered VH-CWS and as a result has been transferred to the Australian census page. See Note 14.

04MAR06

ZK-AMS was removed from the New Zealand Register on 03 MAR 06 as exported. It is reported that the aeroplane has been sold to a new owner in Perth, Western Australia. Accordingly, the aircraft will be transferred to the Australian census page after it appears on the Australian Register. See Note 14.
ZK-AWP was removed from the NZ Register on 21 NOV 05 as exported. See Note 15.

31JAN06

ZK-AMY returned to NZ from Tonga on 02OCT05. See Note 15.
ZK-AWP is believed to be still in Tonga. See Note 15.
ZK-AMS is still in Australia but is advertised for sale. See Note 14.

05JAN05

This page has undergone a major update. The most significant change is that ALL Previous Identities are now listed in chronological order from the top. The most recent identity is that which appears in the column headed Regn.

Identities commencing "VH" but without a hyphen are radio call-signs which were carried concurrently with an RAAF A65 serial. In many cases, these radio call-signs were painted on the fin/rudder of the aircraft, otherwise they appeared only on the instrument panel.

Another significant change is that aircraft which were mistakenly allocated dual constructor's numbers are now listed under both numbers. The first number listed is the incorrect c/n and the second number after the slash is the correct c/n. The Index table below is linked to the correct c/n.

12DEC04

ZK-AMY and ZK-AWP have been sold to Peau Vava'u of Tonga. See Note 15.

26JUN04

ZK-AMS is operating in Australia on lease to Pionair Australia. See Note 14.

03JAN04

Added an unidentified fuselage section in use as a garden shed at Tokanui.

05FEB03

Update on ZK-AWP:
The aircraft was rolled out after repairs on 18OCT02. The NAC livery has now been replaced by the Pionair livery.

26JUN02

Ownership of ZK-DAK changed on 24JUN02 (new company name).

Update on ZK-AWP:
The aircraft suffered a much-publicised take-off accident at Glentanner, NZ on 19JUN02. Pionair advise that the aircraft will be temporarily repaired in situ and flown out to Fieldair for full repairs. It is expected that the aeroplane will be back on line within four weeks.

27MAY02

Layout changed to show "Previous Identity" column after the "Regn" column.

24MAY02

Ownership of ZK-AWP changed to Pionair Adventures Ltd on 24MAY02.

23DEC01

Ownership of ZK-AWP changed to Flight 2000 Ltd on 21DEC01.

19SEP01

Updated ownership of ZK-DAK & ZK-AWP.

17SEP01

Original Issue

NOTES

1	Nose section only held in storage. This is thought to be the previously unidentified nose section held by Hector McLean at Tokanui. The aircraft was parted out at Wigram and components have been observed at South Island locations. Notably the cockpit section has been at the Air Force Museum and by process of elimination it is believed that the large shed in the Catlins also originated from NZ3503's fuselage. This aircraft was previously listed twice. See also Note 13.
2	U.S. Navy LC-47H on display at the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society (Inc).
3	Fuselage only in use as a wine bar.
4	In use at a McDonald's Restaurant. In Viewmaster configuration. Had been leased in Fiji as VQ-FAI.
5	While with Fieldair, ZK-BYF was named Kotuku. The aircraft was retired in 1981 and went to Silverstream in 1982. Currently preserved as "NZ3547" by the Gisborne Aircraft Preservation Society.
6	Operated in RNZAF markings. Was once VH-PNM with Bush Pilots Airways.
7	Nose section only held by the Sports and Vintage Aviation Society (Inc). Sold on trademe.co.nz to an unknown buyer on 15DEC13. New owner is Athol Murray who collected the nose section in FEB14 and transported it to his property in Dipton, NZ.
8	Derelict cabin section used for fire-fighting drills. Deleted from the list on 30NOV19 as there have been no recent sightings and it is presumed to have been scrapped.
9	On 21DEC01 ownership changed from N.Z. Aerial Mapping Ltd. (Historic Flight) to Flight 2000 Ltd. On 24MAY02 ownership changed to Pionair Adventures Ltd. The aircraft had been operated in NAC colours but during the repairs after the Glentanner accident it was repainted in Pionair colours and rolled out on 18OCT02. On 24OCT15 ZK-AWP inaugurated a scheduled service each Saturday from Auckland to Whakatane, returning on the Sunday. This service was discontinued circa 2017. The aircraft is primarily based at Tauranga Airport from where it does charter or scenic flying.
10	Preserved by the Museum of Transport, Technology and Social History in NZNAC colours.
11	Cockpit section mounted on a trailer. On 24MAR08 the cockpit section was noted in use as a roadside sign promoting glider flights at Omarama. The owner, Chris Rudge, stated on 01APR08; "AWO is still owned by me and is parked out near the highway in front of the Countrytime Hotel at Omarama to advertise glider flights. I have a shareholding in Southern Soaring Omarama Ltd and am the CFI and Manager. The nose section will be stored inside a hangar here over winter and be back out on the road next season starting in September."
12	In use as a tea room. On 06MAY21 the aircraft was moved to the owner's property at Shannon where it will be restored before being returned to Mangaweka and placed under cover.
13	A camouflaged fuselage section of an unidentified RNZAF C-47A is in use as a garden shed at Tokanui. This aircraft is believed to be NZ3503 which was previously shown under the ownership of Air Force World at Wigram. The aircraft was parted out at Wigram and components have been observed at South Island locations. Notably the cockpit section has been at the Air Force Museum and by process of elimination it is believed that the large shed in the Catlins also originated from NZ3503's fuselage. This aircraft was previously listed twice. See also Note 1.
14	ZK-AMS "Dulcie" departed Christchurch for Kaitaia and Lord Howe Island on 02MAY04. The aircraft arrived in Sydney on 03MAY04 on lease to Pionair Australia Pty Ltd. ZK-AMS entered service with Pionair Australia on 05MAY04. It is expected that the aircraft will be transferred to the Australian Register, at which time the aeroplane will be moved from the NZ Census page to the Australian Census page. In late 2005, ZK-AMS was advertised for sale at NZ$550,000. The aircraft is expected to be replaced on its Australian tour operation by a Convair 580. It is reported that the aircraft has been sold to an operator in Perth, Western Australia for use on tourist flights. ZK-AMS was removed from the NZ Register on 03MAR06. The aircraft was re-registered VH-CWS on 14MAR06 and as a result has been transferred to the Australian census page.
15	ZK-AMY "Lady Jane" and ZK-AWP "Lucille" were sold to Peau Vava'u Air of Tonga in December 2004. Both DC-3s had been operating in Tonga under charter since June 2004. (ZK-AWP arrived on 02JUN04 and ZK-AMY arrived on 24JUN04). Pioneer has a four year contract to manage Peau Vava'u Air. Both aircraft will remain in this census while they continue to operate under New Zealand registrations. ZK-AMY returned to NZ on 02OCT05 and is parked at Wigram awaiting sale. ZK-AWP was removed from the New Zealand Register on 21NOV05 and is believed to be still in Tonga. During MAR06, ZK-AWP was placed on the Tongan Register as A3-AWP (this was incorrectly shown as T3-AWP until 24AUG06 when the typo was corrected). The company expects to receive its Tongan Air Operator's Certificate in late March or early April 2006. ZK-AMY was registered to Southern DC-3 Limited on 23FEB07. New Zealand correspondent, Peter Layne, is a member of this syndicate. A3-AWP was placed back on the NZ Register on 25NOV13 to Air Chathams Limited, Chatham Islands. The aircraft has taken up its original name "Powhaitere". The aircraft arrived at Auckland on 22DEC13. ZK-AMY made her final flight to Ashburton on 26JAN14 after which she was retired to the Ashburton Aviation Museum where the aircraft will be maintained in a potentially airworthy condition. Accordingly, the status for ZK-AMY has been changed from F to P.
16	What remains of ZK-AZA ex RNZAF NZ3531 still exists at Aitutaki (NZ territory of Cook Islands). It sits on a trailer and comprises the cockpit section and lower fuselage sufficient to include the entire centre section. It arrived there many years ago with engines operational for use as a wind machine for a film. The engines have since been sold in the USA.
17	The Airscapade DC-3 N451ZS departed Lydd, UK on 25OCT12 to retrace the route of Jean Batten's 1936 flight from England to NZ. Carrying paying passengers, the aircraft arrived in Auckland on 16NOV12. By December 2013 it was still US registered, airworthy and hangared at Omaka. It has been included in this census having seemingly taken up residence in NZ. The aircraft was registered ZK-JGB (Jean Gardner Batten) to Airscapade Affairs Limited of Te Anau on 16FEB15. The aircraft was advertised for sale in MAR15. As of JUL20 the aircraft is based at Napier and is expected to commence air tours in the Hawke's Bay region. UPDATE 01DEC20: ZK-JGB will not be operating scenic flights from Napier as reported previously. Air Chathams will operate the Napier flights in 2021 using ZK-AWP, at the conclusion of AWP's Tauranga scenics. UPDATE 01APR23: ZK-JGB was noted stored in the compound of the National Transport & Toy Museum at Wanaka. However there is no indication of a change of ownership.
18	ZK-AZL has been moved from Mystery Creek to Te Kowhai Airfield. The aircraft was not available for viewing at Mystery Creek so it is hoped that more people will see it at the new location. The aircraft remains in the ownership of Lynnette James.

For more historical information on New Zealand DC-3s, see Phil Treweek's
Kiwi Aircraft Images

INDEX

Note: This index lists only the most recent identity or that currently appearing on the aeroplane. Registrations in inverted commas are fictitious markings used for display purposes. It should be noted that many of the aircraft no longer appear on the New Zealand Civil Register. The Constructor's Numbers in the following table are linked to the relevant entry in the census table above.

REGN	C/N	REGN	C/N
NZ3503	9420	ZK-AZA	27144
"NZ3547"	20051	ZK-AZL	33316
NZ3551	34223	ZK-BKD	13521
ZK-AMS	Note 14	ZK-BQK	33315
ZK-AMY	13506	ZK-BYF	20051
ZK-APB	32693	ZK-CAW	18923
ZK-APK	34227	ZK-DAK	26480
ZK-AWO	33480	ZK-JGB	4363
ZK-AWP	33135	17221	13319
ZK-AXS	32743