ZK-BXG. Fokker F.27-1020 Friendship. c/n 10189.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by New Zealand National Airways Corporation - May 03, 1960

Entered onto the Dutch Aircraft Register as 'PH-FDD' - November 01, 1961

Registered to KNV Fokker NV, Schiphol-South, Netherlands

First flown at Amsterdam (Schiphol) as 'PH-FDD' - November 03, 1961

This was the 81st Fokker Friendship built

Accepted by New Zealand National Airways Corporation at Amsterdam (Schiphol) - ? 1961

Departed Amsterdam (Schiphol) on the ferry flight to New Zealand - ?

It arrived at Christchurch on completion of the ferry flight from Holland - November 17, 1961

Cancelled from the Dutch Aircraft Register - November 17, 1961

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-BXG - November 18, 1961

Registered to New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Wellington

The aircraft was named 'Kea' (New Zealand parrot)

This aircraft was operated on New Zealand domestic services

New Zealand National Airways Corporation merged with Air New Zealand - April 01, 1978

The aircraft was damaged in a landing accident at Gisborne - October 10, 1988

Tempory repairs were carried out on-site in order for the aircraft to be ferried back to Christchurch

On further inspection when the aircraft arrived back at Christchurch the extent of the damage became more evident

It was decided to permanently withdrawn from service at Christchurch

The aircraft remained stored at Christchurch

The aircraft had flown 60,196 hours with 80,020 cycles

It was donated to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum at Wigram - October 10, 1993

The aircraft was transported by road to its new site - November 1993

Was intended to restore the aircraft to display condition to represent one of the F.27s previously operated by the RNZAF

The restoration idea was abandoned and it was stored in the Air New Zealand livery without wings and tail assembly

Sold to Pionair Adventures Ltd for use as an airport office - 1993

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - October 23, 2003

Sold to Peter and Larraine McQuarters, owners of the Aeroview Museum, Ashburton - May 2005

The aircraft was transported to the Ashburton Aeroview Museum - May 30, 2005

Observed on display at the Ashburton Aeroview Museum in Air New Zealand livery without wings - January 17, 2007

The aircraft was painted in the 1970s NZNAC livery at Ashburton

It was observed at the Ashburton Aviation Museum in the '1970s' NAC livery - April 10, 2007

The owners reluctantly agreed to part with the aircraft as this was be best prospect to preserve the airframe

It was sold to the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, Christchurch - August 2011

It was transported by road from Ashburton to the Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch

The wings and tail have been removed permanently and the fuselage fully restored

The airframe was observed at the Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch -November 11, 2011

The restored fuselage is now on permanent display inside the Museum beside the ex NZNAC Viscount ZK-BRF

 

 

ZK-BXG. NAC National Airways - 'Kea' in the standard livery at Wellington Airport, December 12, 1971.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1991-185.)

ZK-BXG. Air New Zealand - 'Kea' in the transitional livery at Christchurch Airport, January 1983.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1991-088.)

ZK-BXG. Air New Zealand - 'Kea' in the transitional livery at Auckland Airport, February 1983.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1991-058.)

ZK-BXG. Air New Zealand - 'Kea' in the standard livery at Auckland Airport, April 1988.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1991-096.)

ZK-BXG. Air New Zealand - 'Kea' in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, January 12, 1991.

(A. Durr Copyright Image 1991-151.)

ZK-BXG. NAC National Airways - 'Kea' in the standard livery at Ashburton, circa 2007.

(P. Sheehan Collection Copyright Image 1991-187.)