ZK-ARU  de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth             (c/n  DHNZ99)

                                            
                                        
                                                  Ex RNZAF NZ849, this machine was allocated free to the Canterbury Aero Club in 1948.
                                                  The shot above from the National Library of new Zealand collection shows it in pristine
                                                  condition right out of the paint shop.  It was originally registered to C. Hewett as part of
                                                  the " Flying Kiwis" aerobatic team.  When Mr.Hewett went to Sydney in late 1949 he took
                                                  the Tiger with him and it became VH-BNO.
                                                  Hewett returned to New Zealand in 1951 and the aircraft reverted to ZK-ARU.  It saw
                                                  service with Southland Aerial Topdressing (Hewett Aviation) in 1951.  By 1955 it was with
                                                  Airwork NZ Ltd.   ZK-ARU was written off in a crash into the Conway River on 30 March
                                                  1955.   My photo below was was taken in 1952.