Other Siroccos in New Zealand

Following from Blue Bus's post on Sirocco ZK-FNQ, and seeing that it is the middle of winter and I haven't been to an aerodrome for yonks - I though I would post the history of other Siroccos in New Zealand. The first Sirocco to be completed was Ron Keyte's ZK-DAF (c/n AACA18) which was first registered in January 1975 and first flew in January 1976. It is photographed here at the AACA fly-in at Kaikohe in 1976 I think. This was the second aircraft built by Ron Keyte, the first being Turbulent ZK-CDD. In the 1970's Ron Keyte was a padre in the RNZAF at Ohakea, where the aircraft was completed. Tragically ZK-DAF broke up in mid-air at Masterton on 11 March 1978 killing Ron Keyte and also Manfred Schaeffer who had just finished building Taylor Monoplane ZK-EDZ at Lower Hutt. This Sirocco was painted orange and white.

The second Sirocco to be registered was Neville Stronach's ZK-ECW which was registered in February 1975. I recall that this aircraft was built in a very short time. It had the optional lower tail and rudder and also had a fixed undercarriage. It was painted red and white and is photographed here at Manpouri early on in its life. It is still currently registered but may have been damaged in a hangar collapse at some point. Does anyone know if it is still operational?

The third Sirocco to be completed was Rex Krammer's ZK-EDQ (c/n AACA 141), which was first registered in January 1976. This was the first Sirocco with a retractable undercarriage and I think it probably was the first New Zealand homebuilt aircraft with a retracting undercarriage. This aircraft was built at Motueka where I think this photograph was taken. I do not have a record of the photographers of ECW and EDQ. This aircraft was quite heavy and was withdrawn from use and cancelled at Christchurch on 21/2/03.

The fourth Sirocco to fly was ZK-FNQ as covered in Blue Bus's post, and the fifth and so far latest to fly is Lindsay Wheelers ZK-PTR (c/n AACA 148/1) which was first registered in December 1999, and is currently based at Kerikeri. I think this is the aircraft that was built by Steve Rankin over many years at Whangarei. Thanks to Lindsay Wheeler for the photo