Aircraft [Fletcher FU-24/FU-1060 ZK-CTZ]
Maker and role
Fletcher Aircraft, Manufacturer
Production date
1966
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2006.349
Maker
Production period
Description
Fletcher aircraft, single-engine, low wing monoplane. Livery is white, black and red, three bladed propeller (grey with 2 white stripes on wach blade), Logo is white shadowed plane on runway on black background with red stripe under. Red lights on tips of wings.
Brief History
The Fletcher has been referred to as the ‘mainstay’ of agricultural aviation in New Zealand, and during the 1960s it was the most used aircraft in the country.
The Fletcher, which was originally designed as a ground attack aircraft in the United States, went on to become one of the most iconic agricultural aircraft in New Zealand. In 1965, when production ceased in the United States, James Aviation purchased the production rights and the entire production line. It was installed in Hamilton, and 286 Fletchers were manufactured. Fletchers are still produced by Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd., also based in Hamilton.
Fletchers, in various versions, have been exported to countries such as Australia, Iraq, Malaysia, and Turkey. Unlike many of the aircraft in MOTAT’s collection, which had to be brought to New Zealand, the Fletcher represents aircraft that were exported from New Zealand to other countries. Cliff Tait, whose Airtourer is in MOTAT’s collection, worked for Aerospace Industries and made several pioneering long distance flights ferrying Fletchers to their final destinations.
MOTAT’s Fletcher was owned and operated by James Aviation and was the first Fletcher converted from piston to turbine engine. It was donated to MOTAT by Waikato Museum of Art & History in 2006.
Date: 1966
Manufacturer: Air Parts (New Zealand) Ltd, Hamilton
Type: Low wing monoplane agricultural aircraft
Wing span: 12.2 m
Length: 9.7 m
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 turbine engine
Accommodation: Pilot and one passenger
The Fletcher, which was originally designed as a ground attack aircraft in the United States, went on to become one of the most iconic agricultural aircraft in New Zealand. In 1965, when production ceased in the United States, James Aviation purchased the production rights and the entire production line. It was installed in Hamilton, and 286 Fletchers were manufactured. Fletchers are still produced by Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd., also based in Hamilton.
Fletchers, in various versions, have been exported to countries such as Australia, Iraq, Malaysia, and Turkey. Unlike many of the aircraft in MOTAT’s collection, which had to be brought to New Zealand, the Fletcher represents aircraft that were exported from New Zealand to other countries. Cliff Tait, whose Airtourer is in MOTAT’s collection, worked for Aerospace Industries and made several pioneering long distance flights ferrying Fletchers to their final destinations.
MOTAT’s Fletcher was owned and operated by James Aviation and was the first Fletcher converted from piston to turbine engine. It was donated to MOTAT by Waikato Museum of Art & History in 2006.
Date: 1966
Manufacturer: Air Parts (New Zealand) Ltd, Hamilton
Type: Low wing monoplane agricultural aircraft
Wing span: 12.2 m
Length: 9.7 m
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 turbine engine
Accommodation: Pilot and one passenger
Marks
Prop-Jet Fletcher Painted
ZK-CTZ Painted
James / AVIATION LTD. Painted
ZK-CTZ Painted
James / AVIATION LTD. Painted
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Fletcher Aircraft. 1966. Aircraft [Fletcher FU-24/FU-1060 ZK-CTZ], 2006.349. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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