Fortunatly a quick afternoon trip to Mt Maunganui was possible, and this was rewarded with the sight of two visiting aircraft. The most travelled was Piper PA-28-161 ZK-LJJ, all the way from Christchurch:
Rather closer to home was Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah ZK-JER, a long-time Gisborne resident.
New (to me) among the locals was this AESL Airtourer T3A ZK-XXI/2, operated by Euroflight International Ltd. This airframe has a complex history, starting out as a Victa 100 in 1964 as ZK-CGP with the Auckland Aero Club. Come late 1973 they had it rebuilt as a T3A and re-registered as ZK-DSZ. Several private owners, mostly in the South Island, then followed from 1978 until 'DSZ was bought by Euroflight in late 2008 and the registration changed to ZK-XXI
The colours applied seem to be an attempt to replicate Airtourer T6/24 NZ1760 (c/n A542) which was operated by the RNZAF 1970 - 1993 before very briefly becoming ZK-JBX to facilitate export to Australia where it is still current as VH-AMX.
The real NZ1760 at Hamilton 27Mar1978:
Robinson R44 ZK-HOA/2 has been active in the Tauranga area since 2004 (apart from Jul2005 - Jul2006 when it became VH-HLK) but this is the first time I have seen it:
Auckland-based Cherokee Lance ZK-EIB was snugly tied down, but yes there is something odd there:
looking closely at the prop, I'm sure its not meant to be like that:
No doubt there is a story behind that work of art.
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