Piper PA-28 Cherokee is 50 !

On January 10th 1960 the first Piper PA-28 Cherokee N9315R c/n 28-01 had its first flight. This aircraft stemmed from the PA-10 which was a design study by John Thorpe based around his earlier Skyscooter. John as you all know went on to desighn the Fletcher 24.

The above pic shows Piper PA-28-160 ZK-BWT c/n 28-59 taken at Wellington on 27-11-1963. It was imported by the NZ agents Airwork (NZ) Ltd and registered on 01-12-1961, first flying here on the 20th and delivered to the Rotorua Aero Club on the 22nd. It was hired to the Auckland Aero Club briefly in 1962. On 23-12-1965 it was acquired by B B Cox and W J Blackwell for operation by the Manakau Flying School. A few days later (02-01-1966) it crashed in the Skippers Canyon. It was recovered by helicopter (ZK-HAQ) but its registration was cancelled on 02-03-1966.

Airwork rebuilt it in early 1967 and had it re-registered as ZK-CUB on 01-05-1967 after its first flight on 24-04-1967. Lombard (NZ) Ltd appear from 18-09-1967; hiring it back to the Manakau Flying School.

Above & below show ZK-CUB at Invercargill on 26-04-1969.

Above & below as at Palmerston North on 29-10-1970.

Below is ZK-CUB at Pukekohe on 08-01-1972; a different paint scheme and minus the Manukau Flying School markings.

After at least three woopsies it went to Eagle Aviation at Hamilton on 22-03-1972 and to General Finance Acceptance Ltd on 01-05-72 for hire to M S Arthur; then to Coyle & Griffin of Wanganui from 01-04-1973. In late September 1974 it was listed to A J G Scott & P L Withall of Christchurch.

A storm through Christchurch on 01-08-1975 damaged the aircraft and it was cancelled on 12-09-75.

This weekend at Ashburton there is to be a Cherokee fly in - I am guessing about 53 PA-28's will show up. Will we see you there ?