Previously ZK-AEC "Mercury" with Cook Strait
Airways. Shipped to New Zealand on "Tamaroa" arriving in early
October 1936.
Assembled and test flown at Nelson on 07 October of that year and
entered service on the following day.
Impressed into RNZAF at Ohakea on 15 October 1939 for a cost of
20,500 pounds as NZ555.
Converted to navigation and bombing trainer and operated by Air
Gunners and Observers School at Ohakea.
Dismantled and shipped to Fiji on "Kaiwarra" in October 1940. Arrived at Lautoka on 06 November to
serve with the RNZAF Detached Flight at Nandi.
Transferred to No.4 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron from 08 October
1941. To Communications Flight at Nausori on
25 June 1942.
Scrapped in Fiji on 19 September 1945 due to airframe
deterioration caused by tropical conditions and written off books
at Fiji on 19 November 1945.
NZ556
DH.89
6305
Previously ZK-AED "Venus" with Cook Strait
Airways.
Arrived in Auckland on the "Huntington" on 09 December 1935. Assembled at Hobsonville by Air Survey
and Transport Company.
Flight tested on 21-22 December and flown to the airline's Nelson
base on Boxing Day of that year.
Commenced operations on 30 December 1935 with an 0745 departure
from Nelson to Rongotai.
Impressed into RNZAF on 15 October 1939 for a cost of 20,500
pounds as NZ556.
Converted to navigation and bombing trainer and operated by Air
Gunners and Observers School at Ohakea.
Dismantled and shipped to Fiji on "Kaiwarra" in October 1940. Arrived at Lautoka on 06 November to
serve with the RNZAF Detached Flight at Nandi.
Torn from pickets during hurricane at Lautoka on 20 February 1941
and wrecked.
Written off books at Fiji.
NZ557
DH.89
6306
Previously ZK-AEW "Mars" with Cook Strait
Airways.
Arrived in Nelson on the "Durham" in February 1937 and assembled
in the airline's hangar at Stoke.
Test flown on 18 February 1937 and entered service shortly after.
Impressed into RNZAF AT Ohakea on 15 October 1939 for a cost of
20,500 pounds as NZ557.
Converted to navigation and bombing trainer and operated by Air
Gunners and Observers School at Ohakea.
Dismantled and shipped to Fiji on "Kaiwarra" in October 1940 Arrived at
Lautoka on 06 November to serve with the RNZAF Detached Flight at
Nandi.
On 15 March 1941 it made the first flight into the new aerodrome
at Tonga, returning to Fiji on the 17th.
Assigned to No.4 Bomber reconnaissance Squadron on 04 October 1941. To the Communications Flight at Nausori
on 25 June 1942.
Scrapped in Fiji due to airframe deterioration caused by tropical
conditions and written off books on 04 July 1943.
NZ558
DH.89A
6423
Built at Hatfield in 1938 and issued with it's
British C of A on 19 September of that year. Shipped to New Zealand on the
"Rangitata" arriving on 16 November 1938. Delivered to Cook Strait Airways on 23
November 1938.
Registered as ZK-AGT "Neptune", it was test flown on 30 November
of that year.
Impressed into RNZAF at Ohakea on 15 October 1939 for a cost of
20,500 pounds. Left Nelson for Ohakea at 2.30 pm on 10
November 1939 along with ZK-AEE.
It was allocated the serial NZ558 on 18 February 1940. Operated by No.42 Transport Squadron as
a communications and training aircraft. February 1944 sold to Air Travel (NZ) Ltd.
Overhauled and rebuilt by DH Aircraft of NZ at Rongotai. Restored to the civil register as ZK-AHS
on 30 November 1944.
Operated by them until the company was taken over by NZNAC on 01
November 1947.
To NAC as "Huia" and later "Mokai" from June 1948 until sold to
West Coast Airways in January 1957.
To Tourist Air Travel as a result of a takeover in 1965.
To Mount Cook Airlines when they took over TAT in March 1967.
Retired in 1973 and ferried to Ardmore on 05 June 1974 for
presentation to MOTAT where it remains on display as New Zealand's
oldest airliner.
NZ559
DH.89
6343
Previously ZK-AEE "Jupiter" with Cook Strait
Airways.
Arrived in Auckland on the "Tamaroa" on 11 December 1935. Assembled at Hobsonville by Air Survey
and Transport Company.
Flight tested on 23-24 December and flown to the airline's Nelson
base on Boxing Day of that year.
Impressed into RNZAF on 15 October 1939 for a cost of 20,500
pounds as NZ559 and left Nelson for Ohakea at 2.30 pm on that day
along with ZK-AGT.
Converted to navigation and bombing trainer and operated by Air
Gunners and Observers School at Ohakea.
Dismantled and shipped to Fiji on "Kaiwarra" in October 1940,
arriving at Lautoka on 06 November to serve with the RNZAF
Detached Flight at Nandi.
Torn from pickets during hurricane at Lautoka on 20 February 1941
and wrecked.
Written off books in Fiji.
Author:
Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan)
Sources:
AHSNZ Journals
1960-1974. Vic's Aviation History website. "Strait Across" by R. Waugh.
RNZAF records.
Emails: Martin
Edwards, Brendan Cowan,
Updated
11 December 2013
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