NZDF-Serials DH.86 Express

Serial	c/n	Aircraft history
NZ552	2330	Initially registered as ZK-AEF on 14 August 1935, with UK C. of A. issued on 23 September 1935. Arrived Lyttleton on board "Waipawa" 20 November 1935. Registered to Union Airways on 10 December 1935 named Kotuku. Impressed into RNZAF for a cost of 26000 pounds on 15 September 1939 as NZ552. Allocated to Air Gunners and Observers School, Ohakea on 14 November 1939 coded "1". Total flying time at handover was 3846 hours. To No.3 SFTS, Ohakea on 28 October 1940. To No.2 GR Squadron, Nelson January 1941. Shipped from Auckland on SS Karetu on 08 March for use by RNZAF Fiji Detached Flight, Nandi from 13 March 1941. To No.4 GR Squadron, Nandi 08 October 1941. To Communications Flight, Nausori 25 June 1942. Ran into ditch while being taxied by ground tradesman in strong winds at Nausori on 07 December 1943 and badly damaged. All serviceable parts crated and shipped to New Zealand in January 1944. Written off books at Nausori on 12 July 1944 as reduced to produce (TT 5174hrs 25 min.).
NZ553	2331	Initially registered as ZK-AEG on 14 August 1935, with UK C. of A. issued on 08 October 1935. Arrived Lyttleton on board "Waipawa" 20 November 1935. Registered to Union Airways on 10 December 1935 named Karoro. Impressed into RNZAF for a cost of 26000 pounds at Unit 27 Hobsonville on 13 October 1939 as NZ553. Allocated to Air Gunners and Observers School, Ohakea on 14 November 1939 coded "2". Total flying time at handover was 4021 hours and 6 minutes. To No.3 STFS, Ohakea on 28 October 1940. To No.2 GR Squadron, Nelson January 1941. Shipped from Auckland on SS Karetu on 08 March for use by RNZAF Fiji Detached Flight, Nandi from 13 March 1941. Returned to Union Airways, Milson for overhaul, leaving Fiji on HMS Monowai 21 August and arriving at Milson 11 September 1941. Test flown on 15 December 1941 and allocated to No. 1 SFTS, Wigram. To Communications Flight, Nausori August 1942. Crashed on take off Nandi 19 December 1942. Aircraft left runway in cross wind and hit a drain causing undercarriage to collapse. Returned to De Havilland Co, Rongotai for rebuild 23 February 1943. To RNZAF Woodbourne for storage 16 November 1944. Loaned to Union Airways from 28 February 1945. Registered to Union Airways as ZK-AHW on 09 March 1945 and named Korimako. Returned to RNZAF, Ohakea as NZ553 on 30 September 1946 after flying 1289 hours and 20 minutes with Union Airways. Civil registration cancelled 21 October 1946 and reduced to spares during April 1947.
NZ554	2332	Initially registered as ZK-AEH on 14 August 1935, with UK C. of A. issued on 31 October 1935. Arrived Lyttleton on board "Port Wyndham" December 1935. Registered to Union Airways on 17 December 1935 named Korimako. Impressed into RNZAF for a cost of 26000 pounds on 25 October 1939 as NZ554. Allocated to Air Gunners and Observers School, Ohakea on 14 November 1939 coded "3". Total flying time at handover was 3925 hours and 22 minutes. To No.3 SFTS, Ohakea on 28 October 1940. Crashed on take off from Ohakea 13 November 1940. Failed to get airborne and passed through a fence and line of trees before coming to rest. Damaged beyond repair written off in January 1941. Total flying time since new 4267 hours.