ZK-ALB  de Havilland D.H.89B Dragon Rapide            (c/n   6655)

                                     

                                              A blurry, behind the fence, shot at Auckland, circa 1953.    This aircraft was the former
                                              RAF Dominie HG656 and RNZAF's NZ527.     In NZNAC service it was named 'Tikaka'.
                                              It was sold to Trans Island Airways in 1957 and operated briefly with Coastal Airways in
                                              1958.   Sold to Marlborough Aero Club in 1959 and then to Mount Cook Airlines where it
                                              was withdrawn from service in 1971.  Flown across Tasman Sea in 1974, it became
                                              VH-IAN registered to to C. Tracey and Co. of East Melbourne.  The end of the millennium
                                              saw it still registered in Australia, this time sporting the spurious "period" registration VH-UTV
                                              (originally a Short Scion).  This Rapide is still currently airworthy in Australia.