NZDF-Serials DH.60 Moth Series

NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RNZAF de Havilland DH.60G,DH.60M,DH.60GIII Moth,Moth Major
870 to 873, 995, 1560 & 1567 & NZ501 to NZ522

Serial	Type	c/n	Fate
NZPAF870	DH.60G	870	First flight at Stag Lane on 07 December 1928 before being shipped to New Zealand where it was unpacked at Wigram on 16 March 1929. First flight in NZ was on 21 March 1929. Loaned to Canterbury Aero Club from 29 October 1929 and flew about 100 hours with the club before returning to NZPAF on 31 January 1930. Transferred to Hobsonville on 18 February 1930. Fitted with floats from 08 June 1931 until 27 July 1931 when it reverted once again to wheels. Refitted with floats for a period in November 1931 and again from 07 March 1933 until 12 May 1933. Damaged in landing accident on 27 January 1939 and withdrawn from service.
NZPAF871	DH.60G	871	Arrived in New Zealand in early 1929 and was assembled and test flown at Wigram early that year. Transferred to the West Coast United Aero Club on 12 March 1936 as ZK-ADZ. Crashed into the sea 200 yards offshore from Blaketown Beach, Greymouth at about 1400 hours on 11 April 1937. The aircraft was carrying out aerobatic practice when it went into a spin from a height of about 900 feet and failed to recover. The pilot suffered only minor injurise and swam ashore but the aircraft was extensively damaged and written off.
NZPAF872	DH.60G	872	Arrived in New Zealand in early 1929 and was assembled and test flown at Wigram early that year. Transferred to the Marlborough Aero Club on 23 January 1936 as ZK-AEM. The aircraft overturned after a heavy landing on a first solo flight on 14 December 1937. It was not repaired and was written off on 12 December 1938.
NZPAF873	DH.60G	873	Arrived in New Zealand in early 1929 and was assembled and test flown at Wigram early that year. A force landing near Geraldine on 23 February 1931 resulted in the aircraft being dismantled and returned to Wigram by road for repairs. Withdrawn from service in late 1936.
NZPAF995	DH.60G	995	Arrived in New Zealand in July 1929. On 17 November 1929 it became the first aircraft to fly non-stop between Wellington and Hobsonville. Fitted with floats between 06 and 08 January 1930 and embarked on HMS Dunedin to Samoa. Carried out a number of military duties in Samoa including leaflet dropping, aerial photography and passenger flights commencing from 16 January 1930. It was armed with a Lewis gun and home-made bombs. Re-embarked on HMS Dunedin for Auckland on 02 March 1930. Aircraft was dropped during lifting operations on the voyage and was destroyed, only the engine and floats being salvaged. The floats were later fitted to Francis Chichester's Moth ZK-AKK for his trans-Tasman flight.
NZPAF1560	DH.60M	1560	Assembled at Wigram in late 1930. Collided with Hawker Tomtit NZ51 at Hobsonville on 25 March 1932 but repaired. Declared surplus to requirements in 1936 and gifted to Canterbury Aero Club as ZK-AEB on 28 May 1936. Impressed into RNZAF on 13 October 1939 as NZ520. For details of NZ520 see below.
NZPAF1567	DH.60M	1567	Purchased by the NZPAF as a floatplane on 23 September 1930, but the floats were found to be unserviceable on arrival due to rust in the rivets. The aircraft was thereafter operated as a landplane. Declared surplus to requirements and gifted to the Auckland Aero Club as ZK-AEP on 29 May 1936. Crashed into Auckland Harbour near Waiheke Island on 12 January 1937. The aircraft sank in about 40 feet of water but was salvaged the next day only to be written off on 11 April 1937.
NZ501	DH.60G	866	Assembled at Wigram as G-NZAW as a Government gift aircraft allocated to the Auckland Aero Club. Re-registered as ZK-AAL on 01 December 1929. Ownership was transferred to the club on 22 March 1935 after 1000 hours had been flown. Impressed into RNZAF on 01 October 1939 for a cost of 350 pounds as NZ501 for use by No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Damaged in landing accident at New Plymouth on 22 February 1941 when a wingtip hit a fence, and was written off.
NZ502	DH.60G	922	Originally owned by Ian Horton publisher of the NZ Herald prior to being purchased by the Government and allocated as a gift aircraft to the Wellington Aero Club on 18 March 1932, registered as ZK-AAO. Ownership transferred to the club on 22 March 1934 after the requisite 1000 hours had been flown. Impressed by the RNZAF at a cost of 300 pounds on 15 September 1939 as NZ502. Converted to INST21 at the TTS Rongotai in June 1940 although it is believed to have ended up at the No.2 Stores Depot at Mangaroa near Wellington. Allocated to the Wellington ATC and broken up prior to the end of World War 2.
NZ503	DH.60GIII	5121	Shipped to New Zealand on "Port Fairey"and arrived on 18 April 1935. Assembled and tested at Wigram prior to being allocated to the Wellington Aero Club as a Government gift aircraft. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ADP on 20 May 1935. Ownership passed to the club in August 1938 after the requisite 1000 hours had been flown. Impressed by the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 12 September 1939 as NZ503 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. It was retained on their books until November 1942 when it was converted to instructional airframe INST47 at Ashburton and allocated to the Wanganui ATC.
NZ504	DH.60G	1217	Allocated as a Government gift aircraft to the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club in early 1930 as ZK-ABB. Ownership passed to the club on 22 March 1935 when the thousand hours had been reached. Extensively damaged in an accident on 25 May 1937, and sold to New Plymouth Aero Club. Impressed into RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 11 October 1939 as NZ504 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Crashed at New Plymouth 19 April 1941 and scrapped.
NZ505	DH.60M	1562	Assembled at Wigram and allocated to the Southland Aero Club on 17 December 1930 as ZK-ACF. Ownership passed to the club on 22 March 1935. Sold to the Western Federated Flying Club on 16 April 1937. Ownership then passed to the New Plymouth Aero Club on 25 May 1937. Impressed into the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 11 October 1939 as NZ505 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. The aircraft was badly damaged in a landing accident at New Plymouth on 19 February 1941 and was written off on 29 July of that year.
NZ506	DH.60G	1202	Ordered by the New Plymouth Aero Club in 1929 and assembled at Wigram in January 1930. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-AAX. To Western Federated Flying Club in April 1930. Crashed into a hill near Wellington on 25 October 1932 killing pilot and passenger. Aircraft was later repaired. Damaged at Te Rapa on 09 December 1933 when it collided with a car while taxiing. The aircraft was trucked back to New Plymouth, but unfortunately the truck caught fire at Ohaupo and the aircraft was almost completely destroyed. Rebuilt as a DH60M using a metal fuselage from ZK-ABT by January 1935. To Wanganui Aero Club on 02 November 1938. Impressed into the RNZAF for a cost of 350 pounds on 11 October 1939 as NZ506 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Withdrawn in mid 1941 and BOC as instructional airframe at New Plymouth. Transferred to Levin as INST40 and later to the Gisborne ATC. Broken up during World War 2.
NZ507	DH.60G	1250	As ZK-ABP this aircraft was owned by Air Survey and Transport until bought by the Western Federated Flying Club in 1931. This Moth became the first aircraft to fly from North Cape to Bluff in one day on 01 December 1933. Later sold to the New Plymouth Aero Club. Impressed into the RNZAF for a cost of 250 pounds on 11 October 1939 as NZ507 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. BOC as instructional airframe at New Plymouth as INST39 and transferred to Taieri in June 1941. Declared surplus on 26 November 1953 by which time it was the last DH60 in the RNZAF. Broken up.
NZ508	DH.60GIII	5114	Shipped from the United Kingdom on "Rangitane" and arrived on 18 March 1935. Trucked to Wigram where it was assembled and test flown before being allocated to the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club on 03 April 1935. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ADK on 11 April 1935. Impressed into the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 20 May 1940 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth and given the serial NZ508. Suffered a landing accident at New Plymouth on 28 April 1941 and was written off the books on 17 September 1941.
NZ509	DH.60M	1561	Allocated to the Otago Aero Club on 03 December 1930 as ZK-ACE. Became the property of the club after the 1000 hours on 22 March 1935. Hired to Middle Districts Aero Club from 31 March 1939 and sold to them on 08 June of that year. Impressed into RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 06 October 1939 as NZ509 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Crashed at New Plymouth after suffering an engine failure on takeoff on 09 July 1940 and was written off the books on 21 November 1940 as reduced to spares. Parts recovered and sent to the South Island as spares. Fuselage and other parts recovered from barn at Balclutha during 1980s by Colin Smith. Believed to be under restoration at Croydon Aircraft Company in Gore.
NZ510	DH.60M	1438	Originally registered G-AASA on 09 November 1929, Flown from the UK to Australia by Oscar Garden between 17 October and 04 November 1930. Shipped to New Zealand and registered ZK-ACK on 03 March 1931. Moth was onsold to T. Mullen of Hamilton on 25 May 1931. To M. Scott, Hamilton on 17 May 1933. To Auckland Aero Club on 12 September 1933. To Waikato Aero Club on 05 December 1937. Impressed into RNZAF for a cost of 350 pounds on 11 October 1939 as NZ510 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Converted to INST37 in mid 1941 with Whangarei ATC. Written off books at Hobsonville on 11 June 1946 and broken up.
NZ511	DH.60M	1549	Originally registered G-ABAN on 09 September 1930 and sold to NZ Government the same month. Allocated to the Auckland Aero Club on 23 December 1930 as ZK-ACC. Officially handed to the club on completion of the thousand hours on 22 March 1935. To Hamilton branch of the club on 04 December 1937 which later was reconstituted as the Waikato Aero Club. Impressed into RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 11 October 1939 as NZ511 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Withdrawn from service in July 1941 and BOC as instructional airframe INST41 at New Plymouth. Later with Napier ATC. Scrapped in February 1945 with the engine being transferred to the Christchurch ATC.
NZ512	DH.60GIII	5118	Shipped from the United Kingdom on "Rangitane" and arrived on 18 March 1935. Trucked to Wigram where it was assembled and test flown before being allocated to the Southland Aero Club on 30 March 1935. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ADM on 13 April 1935. Became the property of the club in August 1938 at the completion of the thousand hours. Impressed into the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 27 September 1939 as NZ512 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. in landing accident at New Plymouth on 04 September 1941 and written off 26 November 1941.
NZ513	DH.60G	1910	Allocated to the Southland Aero Club on 02 March 1933 as ZK-ADB. Ownership transferred to the club on 11 March 1936 after the thousand hour mark had been reached. Impressed into RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 27 September 1939 as NZ513 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Withdrawn from service in mid 1941. Written off books at New Plymouth on 19 September 1941.
NZ514	DH.60G	1909	Allocated to the Marlborough Aero Club on 09 March 1933 as ZK-ADA. Ownership transferred to the club on 11 August 1936 after the thousand hour mark had been reached. Impressed into the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 05 October 1939 as NZ514 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Damaged in landing accident at New Plymouth on 09 September 1940. Written off books on 18 December 1940.
NZ515	DH.60GIII	5119	Shipped from the United Kingdom on "Rangitane" and arrived on 18 March 1935. Trucked to Wigram where it was assembled and test flown before being allocated to the Otago Aero Club in early April 1935. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ADN on 17 April 1935. Ownership transferred to the club on 31 March 1938 after the 1000 hour target had been reached. Impressed into the RNZAF as a gift aircraft on 26 September 1939 as NZ515 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Damaged in a landing accident at New Plymouth on 22 July 1941. Wwritten off the books on 04 September 1941.
NZ516	DH.60M	1447	Purchased from Air Survey and Transport by National Airways (NZ) early in 1930 ZK-ABF was used to survey a route between Auckland and Dunedin. Political changes dictated that the airline did not eventuate and the aircraft was sold to Cadbury Fry Hudson on 19 June 1930 and painted a chocolate colour. "The Chocolate Plane" spent the next 6 months flying all around the country before being sold to the Otago Aero Club on 23 January 1931. Impressed into the RNZAF for a cost of 350 pounds on 26 September 1939 as NZ516 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Damage in a landing accident at New Plymouth on 05 February 1941 resulted in the aircraft being written off.
NZ517	DH.60G	1925	Constructed for the Canterbury Aero Club by De Havilland apprentices after production of the model had terminated. Registered ZK-AGU on 24 November 1938. Impressed into the RNZAF on 31 October 1939 as NZ517 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Damaged when it dived into a paddock near New Plymouth after a stall turn on 19 January 1940 and written off on 15 August that year.
NZ518	DH.60G	1926	Constructed for the Canterbury Aero Club by De Havilland apprentices after production of the model had terminated. Registered ZK-AGV on 14 August 1939. Impressed into the RNZAF on 31 October 1939 as NZ518 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. With No2 EFTS until October 1941. After overhaul at De Havillands, Rongotai it was despatched to Nausori, Fiji in November 1941. It served there as a light communications aircraft with "Unit 20" and later No.4 Squadron. Scrapped due to deterioration of the structure caused by the humid climate. It maintained an accident free record during it's time with the RNZAF. Written off books at Nausori on 04 July 1943 as reduced to produce.
NZ519	DH.60G	1102	Registered originally as ZK-AAR to Air Survey and Transport on 14 May 1929. Sold to Falcon Airways on 05 September of that year. J. Hewett flew the aircraft non-stop from Dunedin to Auckland in 10 hours on 15 March 1930 to set a New Zealand record for distance flown in a day. Repurchased by Air Survey and Transport on 29 August 1934. Rebuilt and sold to Canterbury Aero Club on 23 August 1935. Impressed into RNZAF on 31 October 1939 as NZ519 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Withdrawn and converted to INST36 with the TTS at Rongotai in July 1941. Broken up during World War 2.
NZ520	DH.60M	1560	Previously ZK-AEB. Was ex NZPAF1560. Impressed into RNZAF as a gift aircraft from Canterbury Aero Club on 13 October 1939 as NZ 520 with No.2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Written off books on 06 September 1940 and BOC as instructional airframe INST38 at New Plymouth in mid 1941. Later served as an instructional airframe at Harewood, and with the ATC in Christchurch. Scrapped on an unknown date (the engine was scrapped in November 1952).
NZ521	DH.60GIII	5115	Shipped from the United Kingdom on "Rangitane" and arrived on 18 March 1935. Trucked to Wigram where it was assembled and test flown before being allocated to the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club on 05 April 1935. Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ADL on 03 May 1935. Ownership transferred to the club by June 1938 after the thousand hours had been reached. Impressed into RNZAF on 09 October 1939 as NZ521 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. Collided with Tiger Moth NZ745 while landing at at New Plymouth on 06 September 1940. Converted to instructional airframe INST25 at New Plymouth. Later allocated to Rongotai. Written off books at Woodbourne.
NZ522	DH.60M	NZ-1	Constructed at Wigram by the RNZAF for the PWD from spares purchased from De Havilland. Delivered to the PWD in late July 1937 without a serial number or registration. It was then given the serial number NZ-1 and registered ZK-AFR. Ownership finally passed to the PWD on 29 August 1938. Impressed into the RNZAF for a cost of 702 pounds on 08 November 1939 as NZ522 with No. 2 EFTS, New Plymouth. BOC 25 January 1940 with No. 2 EFTS. Shipped to Fiji on 01 December 1940 to serve with "Unit 20". Crashed into the sea off Nadi Bay, Fiji on 04 October 1941. The aircraft was flying at 2000 feet when it suddenly nosed down and dived into the water. It is thought that the pilot may have been hit by a bullet from Vincent NZ358, which was testing it's guns in the area at the time. Pilot Officer Ronald Williams and Pilot Officer Francis Pillans killed.

Author: Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan)

SourcesAHSNZ publications 1959-1988. NZ Wings 1982-1992. RNZAF Records."For Your Tomorrow" by Errol Martyn.

Emails: Guilherme Pereira, John Andrade, Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan,

Updated 10 December 2013

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