Douglas DC-3 ZK-AZL

[flyernzl]

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...d=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ZK-AZL was eventually withdrawn from service on 4Sep74 at Rukuhia @ 14040hrs.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

[Newforest]

Great report, must have missed it first time around!

[DaveM2]

Check out progress - looking good!

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi...d=11928&page=5

[Flatcat]

She's got to be one of my earliest memories of the Fielddays at Mystery Creek. Looking good.