© 2002 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved| c/n | Model | Serial | NZ Rego | Identities | hours | cycles | notes |
| 12793 | Mk.IA | G-AIMC | G-AIMC | ? | ? | Named Merchant Venturer; visited Australasia on demonstrator tour - arrived Aus Mar 20, 1947 - arrived NZ Jul 23, 1947 Whenuapai; crew R.Ellison (Bristol pilot), F.E. Sander (Qantas Empire Airways nav. officer), J.Lamsdale (Marconi Corp radio officer), A.E. Davis and W. Burns (Bristol engineers), and M.F. Elliott (Bristol representative); visited 10 airfields; Jul 29, 1947 loaned NZR to trial Cook Strait freight; first load port wine and household effects from Paraparaumu - Woodbourne; Jul 30, 1947 carried first car over Cook Strait; Incident Woodbourne - removed part of boundary fence Woodbourne; Aug 9, 1947 departed via Norfolk Is., chartered QANTAS for use in PNG, crashed Wau Nov 23, 1947 - park brake failed on sloping airstrip and ran into ditch, written off. | |
| 12826 | Mk.21 rebuilt as Mk.31 | ZK-AYG | G-AINK, WH575, G-18-92, ZK-AYG | 16768 | 31910 | Built as Mk.21; allocated G-AINK 1947 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; to WH575 1950 for Ministry of Supply winterisation trials in Edmonton Canada - not used; displayed Farnborough Sep 5-10, 1950; incident Oct 4, 1950 crashed on takeoff Filton, UK - both engines cut during simulated single engine failure; rebuilt as Mk.31; reg G-18-92 1950 to Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; reg ZK-AYG Mar 8, 1951 to SAFE; first flight 19 Mar, 1951; reg G-AINK cancelled Apr 51; CoA issued 6 Apr 51; delivered Woodbourne May 19, 1951 (delivery crew H. Boyes from SAFE, D. Woolf - chief pilot Airwork); entered service May 31, 1951 named Captain Cook; incident Jul 27, 1951 brake failure on landing, overshot runway and hit ditch Paraparaumu - repaired (port wing replaced) Nov 14, 1951; incident Nov 1951 CAA hangar Paraparaumu - while under repair four hangar doors blown in on wing during storm; early 1954, received spar mods; incident Feb 3, 1954 hit ditch after aborted takeoff Woodbourne - sent to Weston-Super-Mare, UK for repair - rebuilt without windows; returned to NZ Mar 13, 1955; returned to service Mar 31, 1955; incident Aug 21, 1955 crashed during airshow display Omaka, pilot feathered propeller away from crowd then feathered other before other was up to speed and sank into Taylor riverbed - rebuilt Woodbourne (required new floor, nose doors, u/c - delivered by ZK-BMA) and returned to service Jul 20, 1956 (renamed Merchant Porter); wfu Sep 9, 1967; reg cancelled Sep 19, 1967; fuselage to ZK-CWF | |
| R12826 | Mk.31 | ZK-CWF | fuselage 12826
(AYG), wings 13156 (CLU), ZK-CWF | 31996 | 51103 | building commenced Oct 1967; reg ZK-CWF Jan 12, 1968 to SAFE; entered service Sep 20, 1968 (named Merchant Freighter); wfu Feb 2, 1985; reg cancelled Mar 12, 1985; Scrapped 1986; cockpit section salvaged by John Fell and Doug Thynne - displayed Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, Christchurch.. | |
| 12828 | Mk.31 | ZK-AYH | G-AINM, ZK-AYH | 7898 | 12964 | alloc G-AINM Jan 27, 1947 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; reg ZK-AYH Mar 8, 1951 to SAFE; first flight Apr 29, 1951; reg G-AINM cancelled Apr 30, 1951; CoA issued May 2, 1951; delivered Woodbourne May 19, 1951 (crew R.Hamilton, D.Marson); entered service May 31, 1951 (named Endeavour); incident 1951 - nose doors opened during takeoff at Paraparaumu (doors replaced); early 1954, received spar mods; Mar 1955 grounded (all 4000hr+ aircraft) and modified; crashed Russley Golf Course Nov 21, 1957 - at 3000 feet approx about 11.30am the aircraft the starboard outer wing folded up and back before separating from the aircraft, crew R. Hamilton, H. Torgerson and passengers T. O'Connell and J. McLaggen killed; reg cancelled Mar 3, 1958. | |
| 12832 | Mk. 31M | NZ5901 | G-AINR, G-18-98, NZ5901 | ? | ? | alloc G-AINR Jan 27, 1947 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; alloc G-18-98 51 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. (not used?); RNZAF boc as NZ5901 Dec 21, 1951 Whenuapai; reg G-AINR cancelled Apr 14, 1952; incident Apr 19, 1954 crashed Mauripur, Pakistan - repaired UK; returned to service Nov 7, 1955 Changi, Singapore (41 Sqn); crashed Dec 10, 1956 Cameron Highlands, Malaya. The aircraft mistakenly entered the wrong valley in poor visibility where it crashed and burned (position 0420N:10125E 28 miles SE Ipoh). Killed were S/L A.S. Tie (CO 41 Sqn), F/O W.A. Devescovi, and F/O D.E. Nelson, two Malayan Film Unit camera crew, and three 55 Cpy RASC dispatchers. Driver Thomas Lee, 55 Cpy RASC dispatcher walked out from the crash site. | |
| 12833 | Mk. 31M | NZ5902 | ZK-EPA | G-AINS,
G-18-99, NZ5902, ZK-EPA | ? | ? | alloc G-AINS Jan 27, 1947 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Nov 19, 1951; alloc G-18-99 51 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. (not used?); RNZAF boc as NZ5902 Dec 13, 1951 Whenuapai; reg G-AINS cancelled Apr 17, 1952; Nov 1960 appeared Manila air show; Aug 5, 1975 during NAF862 (1 Sqn) photographed in formation with F-111C of 1 Sqn RAAF; wfu Mar 23, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPA Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Sep 2, 1978 Ardmore; broken up for scrap Aug, 1986, reg cancelled Mar 1, 1988 |
| 12834 | Mk. 31M | NZ5903 | G-AINT, G-18-100, NZ5903 | ? | ? | alloc G-AINT Jan 27, 1947 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; alloc G-18-100 51 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. (not used?); RNZAF boc as NZ5903 Mar 10, 1952 Whenuapai; reg G-AINS cancelled Apr 17, 1952; 1975 - based at San Ton Nhut, Saigon Apr 4-13, 1975 carrying food aid and refugees before the fall of Saigon; last scheduled RNZAF B.170 flight May 20 1977 (1 Sqn) pilot F/L K.Byrne; wfu May 20, 1977 Whenuapai; delivered Wigram Mar 16, 1978 for RNZAF Museum. | |
| 12927 | Mk. 31M | NZ5904 | ZK-EPB | G-AMCR,
G-18-101, NZ5904, ZK-BEV, NZ5904, ZK-EPB | ? | ? | alloc G-AMCR Jul 11, 1950 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Jan 18, 1952; alloc G-18-101 51 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. (not used?); delivered April 16, 1952; reg G-AMCR cancelled Apr 17, 1952; RNZAF boc as NZ5904 May 5, 1952 Whenuapai; loaned to SAFE - reg ZK-BEV Mar 19, 1954 to SAFE; CoA issued Mar 24, 1954; used for 60 hours aerial top dressing trials (from Mar 28?); returned RNZAF Jun 28 54; civil reg cancelled Jun 27, 1956; allocated 3 & 41 Sqns; Incident Feb 1974 engine failure due to ejected spark plug from cylinder 20 miles north of Whenuapai, F/L Forster pilot (1 Sqn); Incident Feb 1974 engine failure due to ejected spark plug from cylinder over Wigram S/L C.Jenks pilot (1 Sqn); Incident 1975 power fluctuations port engine on flight from Singapore - landed Darwin, metal in filters; wfu Feb 10, 1977 Whenuapai; registered ZK-EPB Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd.; delivered Sep 1, 1978; broken up Aug, 1986, reg cancelled Jul 29, 1988; fuselage only survives - stored Brook Rd, Awhitu. |
| 12937 | Mk.31 | ZK-BMA | G-ALSJ, EI-AFQ, ZK-BMA | 16352 | 30466 | alloc G-ALSJ Jun 19, 1949 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; reg cancelled Jun 4, 1952; reg EI-AFQ Jun 10, 1952 to Aer Lingus; named Saint Finbarr; reg cancelled Oct 26, 1955 - sold to Airwork; reg ZK-BMA Oct 21, 1955 to SAFE; delivered Nov 22, 1955; CoA issued Dec 55; named Marlborough; wfu Jul 10, 1967; reg cancelled Nov 9, 1967; fuselageto ZK-CVY, mainplanes to ZK-CRM. | |
| R12937 | Mk.31 | ZK-CVY | fuselage 12937
(BMA), mainplanes 13192 (CVL), ZK-CVY | 26889 | 44383 | building commenced Oct 1967; reg ZK-CVY Nov 23, 1967 to SAFE; entered service Dec 18, 1967 - named Merchant Wayfarer; wfu Mar 25, 1982; reg cancelled Mar 25, 1982; Scrapped | |
| 13058 | Mk. 31M | NZ5905 | ZK-BEO | G-18-112, NZ5905, ZK-BEO | 17293 | 32834 | alloc G-18-112 Aug 21, 1952 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Aug 21, 1952, delivered Aug 21, 1952; RNZAF boc as NZ5905 Sep 8, 1952 Whenuapai; loaned to SAFE Feb 2, 1954; CoA issued Feb 2, 1954; reg ZK-BEO Feb 10, 1954 to SAFE; entered service May 31, 1954 named Resolution; purchased May 12, 1955 by SAFE (who bought replacement); wfu May 27, 1967; reg cancelled Sep 19, 1967; Parked up Woodbourne, then scrapped. |
| 13059 | Mk. 31M | NZ5906 | ZK-EPC | G-18-113, NZ5906, ZK-EPC | 14996 | 11527 | alloc G-18-113 Sep 11, 1952 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Sep 11, 1952, displayed Farnborough Sep 1-7, 1952; RNZAF boc as NZ5906 Oct 23, 1952 Whenuapai; incident Oct 13, 1965 overflew Indonesian border during supply mission from Kuching - received hits from 4x12.7mm & 1x.45 (crew F/L N.J. Rodger Captain, F/L G. Thompson co-pilot, F/L N.J. Barr navigator, F/Sgt M. Southam signaller; plus British Army dispatchers); 1st 1 Sqn o/sea flight Oct 3, 1972 (Whenuapai - Richmond, NSW); Mar 6-7, 1975 transported 4 Police & 5 prisoners Chathams to Wigram; wfu Mar 23, 1977 Whenuapai (14,693 hours / 11,385 cycles) with 41 Sqn); reg ZK-EPC Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Sep 1, 1978 Ardmore; change of owner Jun 27, 1984 to National Air Freighters NZ Ltd, change of company name Nov 12, 1984 to Hercules Airlines Ltd; operated in 'TNT Overnite' colours; route predominantly Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch; wfu 1986 (303 hours); replaced in Canadian sale by ZK-CLT ; reg cancelled Jul 29, 1988; purchased by J & A Black - disassembled and transported by road to Waihi Beach, Sep 2, 1994; reassembled and repainted in RNZAF colours; used as a 38 seat restaurant; later used as clubhouse before sitting derelict; purchased 2001 Billy Black/Barry Woods; transported by road Dec 18, 2001 to Woodlyn Park, Waitomo Valley; to be converted for use as two unit motel. |
| 13060 | Mk. 31M | NZ5907 | ZK-EPD | G-18-114, NZ5907, ZK-EPD, G-AMLK, ZK-EPD, C-GYQS | ? | ? | alloc G-18-114 Dec 1, 1952 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Dec 1, 1952 - dual controls; RNZAF boc as NZ5907 Dec 22, 1952 Whenuapai; 1975 - based at San Ton Nhut, Saigon Apr 4-21, 1975 carrying food aid and refugees, one of the last aircraft to depart before the fall of Saigon; wfu May 20, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPD Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Sep 2, 1978 Ardmore; ferried to UK August, 1982; reg cancelled Sep 8, 1982; reg G-AMLK Sep 10, 1982 to Instone Air Line Ltd; reg cancelled Apr 4, 1984; reg ZK-EPD Apr 5, 1984 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; change of owner Aug 27, 1984 to Hercules Airlines Ltd; departed Auckland Sep 19, 1987 for ferry to Canada; reg cancelled Sep 26, 1987; reg C-GYQS to Trans-Provincial Airlines Ltd (Port Rupert, BC); wfu 1990; change of owner 1993 to MRS4000; given to Hawkair Jul 1994 (in return for restoring 13218 and 13157); restored to airworthy Jul 9, 1997 (utilising parts from 13157); wfu 2000; 2002 - stored airworthy. |
| 13061 | Mk. 31M | NZ5908 | G-18-115,
NZ5908 | ? | ? | alloc G-18-115 52 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; built with dual controls; RNZAF boc as NZ5908 Jan 12, 1953 Whenuapai; while serving with 41 Sqn crashed May 27, 1953 - the aircraft departed from Woodbourne at 0853hrs and after apparently drifting off track in cloud struck the summit of hills six minutes later approximately 7 miles SSE of Woodbourne. Killed were F/L J.A. Brookes, Gp/Capt R. Webb, Sgt J.B. Collins, Sgt T.P. Dean, and F/Sgt P.G. Deibert. | |
| 13075 | Mk.31 | ZK-CQD | G-AMLM, EC-WHN, EC-AHN, G-41-2-66, ZK-CQD | 22007 | 26893 | alloc G-AMLM Aug 23, 1951 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; cancelled Oct 17, 1952; reg EC-WHN 52 to Aviacion y Comercio SA, rereg EC-AHN; sold Jan 18, 1965 to Aviation Traders; reg G-41-2-66 Feb 1966 to Aviation Traders; new mainplanes and centre-section fitted; reg ZK-CQD Oct 31, 1966 to SAFE; delivered Nov 14, 1966 Wellington in SAFE colours (by West London Air Charter crew); entered service Dec 13, 1966 named Merchant Ambassador; wfu Aug 19, 1976; reg cancelled Jul 9, 1981; Scrapped. | |
| 13080 | Mk. 31M | NZ5909 | ZK-EPE | G-AMLS,
NZ5909, ZK-EPE | ? | ? | alloc G-AMLS Aug 23, 1951 to Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; cancelled Jun 29, 1953; participated in Royal Coronation Review RAF Odiham; RNZAF boc as NZ5909 Aug 25, 1953 Whenuapai; 1st 1 Sqn shuttle flight Aug 3, 1972; wfu Feb 10, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPE Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Sep 2, 1978 Ardmore; wfu Sep 2, 1978, partially broken up Jul 89; reg cancelled Jun 14, 1990. |
| 13125 | Mk.31E | ZK-CPU | G-AMRP, G-18-126, EC-WHH, EC-AHH, G-41-1-66, ZK-CPU | 13973 | 15257 | alloc G-AMRP Apr 1, 1952 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; cancelled Nov 14, 1952; alloc G-18-126 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. - not used; reg EC-WHH Mar 26 53 to Iberia; rereg EC-AHH; used 1962-1963 by Spanish Air Taxi (Spantex); sold Jan 23, 1965 to Aviation Traders; reg G-41-1-66 Feb 24, 1966; reg ZK-CPU Jul 8, 1966 to SAFE; delivered in SAFE colours by West London Air Charter crew; entered service Jul 23, 1966 named Merchant Freighter; incident Apr 10, 1968 damaged in 'Wahine' storm, Wellington - lifted from restraints and landed on both wingtips ; w/o by insurance assessor; cancelled May 31, 1968; used for fire-training; scrapped (fin noted behind SAFE's Wellington depot for some time). | |
| 13126 | Mk.31E | ZK-CPT | G-AMRR, G-18-127, EC-WHI, EC-AHI, ZK-CPT | 27679 | 33338 | alloc G-AMRR for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. - not used; alloc G-18-127 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. - not used; reg EC-WHI to Iberia; rereg EC-AHI; sold Jan 28, 1965 to Aviation Traders; reg ZK-CPT May 2, 1966 to SAFE; delivered May 26, 1966 Woodbourne (crew J.Howard, R.Alexander); entered service Jul 18, 1966 named Merchant Courier; wfu Feb 7, 1986; reg cancelled Apr 28, 1986; donated (some reports sold for $1.50); delivered Jun 15, 1986 to Omaka for Marlborough Aero Club (12 min for 2 mile flight, including go-around); reg Oct 22, 87 to Marlborough Aero Club; reg cancelled Apr 5, 91; aircraft displayed Omaka. | |
| 13134 | Mk. 31M | NZ5910 | ZK-EPF | G-AMPJ,
NZ5910, ZK-EPF, C-GYQY | ? | ? | alloc G-AMPJ for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. - not used; manuf.date Aug 13, 1953 - dual control; RNZAF boc as NZ5910 Apr 24, 1954 Whenuapai; Dec 1973 - supply drop Raoul Is (1 Sqn); wfu Dec 14, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPF Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Sep 1, 1978 Ardmore; change of owner Aug 27, 1984 to Hercules Airlines Ltd; 1987 used in Disney production 'The Rescue'; departed Auckland Dec 9, 1987 for ferry to Canada; reg cancelled Jan 12, 1988; reg C-GYQY Feb 28, 1988 to Trans-Provincial Airlines Ltd (Port Rupert, BC); crashed Jun 21, 1988 on approach Bronson Creek, BC - with cargo 1600US Gal jet fuel (no fire); reg cancelled Nov 1988; Scrapped. |
| 13135 | Mk. 31M | NZ5911 | ZK-EPG | G-AMPK,
NZ5911, ZK-BJP, NZ5911, ZK-EPG | ? | ? | alloc G-AMPK for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. - not used; manuf.date Apr 10, 1954 - dual control; RNZAF boc as NZ5911 May 5, 1954 Whenuapai; CoA issued Mar 9, 1954; reg ZK-BJP Mar 30, 1955 to SAFE (on loan Apr 55); restored RNZAF Apr 22, 1955; ZK-BJP cancelled Jun 27, 1956; Incident Sep 1973 starboard engine failure Nowra (1 Sqn); wfu Dec 14, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPG Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Aug 31, 1978 Ardmore; currently in open air 'storage'. |
| 13154 | Mk.31M | ZK-CAL | G-18-146, S4401, ZK-CAL | 17458 | 22779 | alloc G-18-146 Dec 22, 1953 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Dec 22, 1953; delivered 54 RPAF - serialled S4401; reg ZK-CAL Jun 7, 1961 to SAFE; delivered Dec 9, 1961 Woodbourne (crew A. Forbes, J. Wright, J. Kundycki, plus radio op.); entered service May 12, 1962 named Merchant Trader; wfu Dec 12, 1980; reg cancelled May 14, 1981. | |
| 13155 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CAM | G-18-147,
S4402, ZK-CAM | 20289 | 27722 | alloc G-18-147 Dec 22, 1953 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Dec 22, 1953; delivered 54 RPAF - serialled S4402; used as passenger aircraft - approx 1500hrs; reg ZK-CAM Jun 7, 1961 to SAFE; crew (K.Beattie, R.McKenzie, J.Kundycki, plus radio op.) to Karachi Jul 30, 1961 - departed Aug 18, 1961; delivered Sep 3, 1961 Woodbourne; entered service Oct 30, 1961 named Merchant Venturer; incident Jan 14, 1981 Woodbourne - right undercarriage collapsed at end of landing roll (fatigue failure of centre fitting) - not repaired; reg cancelled May 14, 1981; rear fuselage to ZK-CLT; used as fire training aid; scrapped. | |
| 13156 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CLU | G-18-148,
S4403, mainplanes/ centre section 13170 (CRM), ZK-CLU | 21315 | 25982 | alloc G-18-148 Dec 22, 1953 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Dec 22, 1953; delivered 54 RPAF - serialled S4403, coded 'A'; delivered Jun 1, 1966 Auckland for SAFE; reg ZK-CLU Jul 1, 1966 to SAFE; entered service May 3, 1967 named Merchant Buccaneer; final Cook Strait flight Sep 26, 1986 (crew S. Petersen, L. Gollop); final SAFE commercial flight Sep 30, 1986 Christchurch - Invercargill - Woodbourne (crew T. Allen, R. Guard, G. Batchelor); wfu Sep 30, 1986 (21314hrs, 25978 cycles); delivered Nov 20, 1986 Wakapuaka for Nelson Founders Museum - landed on Wakapuaka sandflats, aircraft bellied after a bridge over a creek collapsed, wings removed then towed to Museum; reg cancelled Dec 4, 1986; reassembled and on public display. | |
| 13157 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CLT | G-18-149,
S4404, ZK-CLT, (rear fuselage from 13155 (ZK-CAM)), ZK-CLT | ? | ? | alloc G-18-149 Dec 22, 1953 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Dec 22, 1953; delivered Dec 22, 1954 RPAF - serialled S4404; reg ZK-CLT Jun 1, 1965 to SAFE; delivered Aug 24, 1965 Auckland (crew J. Fleming, N. Pirie); entered service Dec 17, 1965 named Merchant Hauler; 1968 - used on Chatham run (kept windows, fitted DME and HF radio); incident Mar 1981 - u/c failure during retract test on Argosy ZK-SAE resulted in wing landing on port tailplane of CLT, and rear fuselage up to stern frame w/o - replaced with rear portion of 13155 (ZK-CAM); into storage Dec 29, 1983 (16614hrs/15117 cycles); returned to service date?; wfu Sep 23, 1986 (19022 hours, 18720 cycles); delivered Sep 27, 1986 Woodbourne for RNZAF Museum; reg cancelled Jan 7, 1987; unofficially serialled NZ5913; delivered 21 May, 1987 Wigram; 1987 - proposed swap with CWH for a Bolingbroke project did not eventuate; delivered Jun 25, 1988 Woodbourne for overhaul (using engines from NZ5903); restored to register Jul 25, 1988 to Trans-Provincial Airlines Ltd (Port Rupert, BC); departed Auckland Oct 7, 1988 for ferry to Canada; reg cancelled Jan 12, 1990; reg C-FTPA to Trans-Provincial Airlines Ltd (Port Rupert, BC); re-engined with Hercules 265 powerplants; change of owner 1993 to MRS4000; leased to Hawkair Jul 1994; crashed Apr 24 1997 Bronson Creek, B.C. after flight from Wrangell - ground looped and ran off runway into ditch (suspected failure of bolts on starboard undercarriage strut); 2002 - hulk reported at Bronson Creek. | |
| 13159 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CRK | G-18-151,
S4406, ZK-CRK | 18399 | 19075 | alloc G-18-151 Jan 30, 1954 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Jan 30, 1954;; delivered Jan 30, 1954 RPAF - serialled S4406, coded 'L'; personal aircraft of RPAF Chief of Staff; delivered Jul 6, 1966 for SAFE (delivered by Pakistani crew, still in camo colours); reg ZK-CRK Jul 6, 1966 to SAFE; entered service Dec 13, 1966 named Merchant Wayfarer; entered Chathams service 1968 named Merchant Islander (kept windows, fitted DME and HF radio); into storage Feb 6, 1984 (17034hrs/17511cycles); restored to service Feb 13, 1985; wfu Jan 3, 1986; reg cancelled Apr 28, 1986; scrapped; nose section rescued by John Fell & Doug Thynne - stored Ferrymead Aeronautical Society. | |
| 13160 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CRL | G-18-152,
S4407, ZK-CRL | ? | ? | alloc G-18-152 Mar 30, 1954 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Mar 30, 1954; delivered Mar 30, 1954 RPAF - serialled S4407, coded 'J'; personal aircraft of RPAF Chief of Staff; delivered Oct 3, 1966 Woodbourne; reg ZK-CRL Oct 24, 1966 to SAFE; named Merchant Porter; used for spares; reg cancelled Apr 27, 1983; scrapped Apr 1983. | |
| 13170 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CRM | G-18-162,
S4421, centre section 12826 (AYG), wings 12937 (BMA), ZK-CRM | 18801 | 22784 | alloc G-18-162 Sep 18, 1954 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Sep 18, 1954; delivered 54 RPAF - serialled S4421, coded 'K'; reg ZK-CRM Aug 9, 1966 to SAFE; delivered Aug 13, 1966 Woodbourne; received centre section from 12826 (AYG) and wings from 12937 (BMA); entered service Aug 16, 1967 named Merchant Herald; wfu May 4, 1984 Woodbourne; reg cancelled Jul 5, 1984; mainplanes and centre section to ZK-CLU. | |
| 13179 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CVK | G-18-171,
S4416, AP-AMN, VH-BFA, ZK-CVK | ? | ? | alloc G-18-171 Jun 29, 1954 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Jun 29, 1954 - paratroop rather than freight door; delivered Sep 26, 1954 RPAF - serialled S4416; reg AP-AMN Jul 61 to Pakistan Govt for ferry; reg VH-BFA Oct 10, 1961 to Ansett-ANA; transferred May 22, 1964 to Ansett-MAL; wfu Apr 67 Goroka PNG; reg cancelled Oct 30, 1967; reg ZK-CVK Nov 3, 1967 to SAFE; delivered Nov 11, 1967 Woodbourne in Ansett colours with NZ rego (crew V.Powell, G.Stuart); only used for spares; reg cancelled Apr 5, 1972. | |
| 13192 | Mk. 31M | ZK-CVL | G-18-184,
S4436, AP-AMP, VH-BFB, ZK-CVL | ? | ? | alloc G-18-184 Jun 29, 1955 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Jun 29, 1955 - paratroop rather than freight door; delivered 55 RPAF - serialled S4436; reg AP-AMP Sep 61 to Pakistan Govt for ferry; reg VH-BFB Sep 17, 1961 to Ansett-ANA; transferred Jan 22, 1962 to Ansett-MAL; wfu Apr 67 Goroka PNG; reg cancelled Nov 6, 1967; reg ZK-CVL Oct 27, 1967 to SAFE; delivered Nov 5, 1967 Woodbourne in Ansett colours with NZ rego (crew C. Fantham, D. Williams); used for spares; mainplanes to ZK-CVY; reg cancelled Apr 5, 1972. | |
| 13218 | Mk.31M | NZ5912 | ZK-EPH | G-18-194, NZ5912, ZK-BVI, NZ5912, ZK-EPH, G-BISU, C-FDFC | ? | ? | alloc G-18-194 Mar 17, 1955 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; manuf.date Mar 17, 1955 - dual control; RNZAF boc as NZ5912 Mar 31, 1955 Whenuapai; to SAFE May 9, 1955 for re-engining; returned RNZAF May 30, 1955; reg ZK-BVI Dec 14, 1957 to SAFE (on loan); CoA issued Dec 16, 1957; restored RNZAF Mar 58; ZK-BVI cancelled Apr 8, 1958; Incident July 12, 1962 during Operation Scorpion - engine failure while enroute Udorn to Korat; allocated 3 & 41 Sqns; wfu Dec 14, 1977 Whenuapai; reg ZK-EPH Aug 17, 1978 to Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd; delivered Aug 31, 1978 Ardmore; ferried to UK Mar 1981 reg cancelled Apr 2, 1981; reg G-BISU May 6, 1981 to Instone Air Line Ltd; used Air Atlantique for North Sea oil operation support 1986-87; wfu Nov 4, 1987 Coventry - due major overhaul, delivered Nov, 1987 Duxford - loaned Duxford Aviation Society; Feb 1988 offered for sale, departed Duxford Dec 8, 1988 for ferry to Canada; reg cancelled Dec 20, 1988; delivered Jan 25, 1989 Edmonton; reg C-FDFC Feb 2, 1989 to Trans-Provincial Airlines Ltd (Port Rupert, BC); Incident May 28, 1989 direction control lost on takeoff from Johnny Mountain B.C.; change of owner MRS4000; ferried to UK Sep 1994; displayed Heathrow, Cranfield; crashed Enstone, UK Jul 18, 96 - swing developed on takeoff and crew applied elevator to avoid control tower and spectators resulting in stall at 50 feet -port wingtip touched ground and undercarriage collapsed as aircraft slewed onto the grass severely damaging the aircraft, 8 POB incl 2 crew - 3 passengers injured; fuselage scrapped - 2002 tail section reported at Enstone. |
| 13255 | Mk.31 | ZK-BVM | G-18-202, ZK-BVM | 21141 | 39328 | alloc G-18-202 1956 for Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd.; ordered Nov 28, 1957 by SAFE; reg ZK-BVM Jan 23, 1958 to SAFE; last Mk.31 built; delivered Mar 18, 1958 named Blenheim (by Airwork over a two week period); entered service Mar 18, 1958 renamed Merchant Carrier; CoA issued Mar 19, 1958; wfu Dec 21, 1978; reg cancelled Feb 21, 1979; blown up by NZ Army (bomb disposal training exercise) at Woodbourne; scrapped. |
Abbreviations:
SAFE : Straits Air Freight Express (changed to SAFE Air Ltd Oct 31 1967)
RPAF: Royal Pakistan Air Force (became PAF in 1956 when Pakistan became a
republic)
alloc: allocated
reg: registration
boc: brought on charge
wfu: withdrawn from use
Sources:
AHSNZ Journal (29,3)
AHSNZ Aerolog (var issues)
Bentley, G. RNZAF A Short History. Reed 1969
Bentley ,G. & Conly, M. Portrait of an Air Force. Grantham 1986
Hope, L. et al SAFE in the Skies. L.Hope, 2000
Jenks, C.F. New Zealand Military Aircraft and Serial Numbers. AHSNZ,
1981
Martyn E.W. For Your Tomorrow Vol 2. Volplane Press, 2000
Sanders, J. A Long Patrol. Century Hutchison 1986
NZ Wings Directory (var issues)
Whites Aviation (var issues)
Last Update:- 21 July, 2002
© 2002 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved