JZ-PTC Cessna 180D Skywagon
(c/n 18050949)
When Indonesia became independent in
1949, the Netherlands retained the western half of Papua
New
Guinea in what was then named Dutch New Guinea. Since Indonesia
had taken over the PK-
series
of registrations, a new JZ- series was allotted to this territory.
Correspondent Larry Cole,
who
provides the shot above, grew up on a mission there as a child.
The photo was taken at Ilu,
in
the highlands of Irian Jaya. This Cessna was registered at this
time to the Christian and Mission-
ary
Alliance When Indonesia eventually annexed New Guinea this
aircraft was re-registered in 1962
as
PK-MPA. Also, like many missionary
craft, when sold off by the
Missionary Aviation Fellowship
they were
traded in in Australia and wound up on the Australian register.
This one became VH-PHS
where it is currently still
registered and flies as a crop duster in Victoria.