NZDF-Serials DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Serial	Type	c/n	Aircraft history
NZ555	DH.89	6334	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.