ZK-AIO  de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth                (c/n  3833)

                                 

                                        This was a pre-war Hatfield built Tiger exported in March of 1939 to the Wellington
                                        Aero Club as ZK-AGW.   Six months later war broke out and -AGW was impressed
                                        into service with the RNZAF as NZ703.    Civilianized again in 1946 it was sold to the
                                        Middle Districts Aero Club in whose service it is seen here.   The odd tail markings were,
                                        I believe, a patch up following a minor prang.  It was sold to Barr Brothers in 1950 and
                                        converted to a topdresser. Written off in accident at Waiuku on 07 November 1950.
                                        To Aircraft Services Ltd, Auckland for spares.  However, it was later rebuilt  using the fuselage
                                        of ZK-ASG (NZ772) but the construction number plate and log books from ZK-AIO were
                                        used.   Re-entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-BAZ on 21 April 1952.
                                        Stalled and  spun into ground while topdressing in Waimai Valley on 22 March 1953 seriously
                                        injuring the pilot, Stan Caldwell.  I would suspect that the shot below was taken after its sale
                                        to Barr Brothers.  The front cockpit has been converted to a hopper, with the chemical efflux
                                        just ahead of the leading edge..