Aircraft [Commonwealth Aircraft CA-28 Ceres ZK-BPU]
Maker and role
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Private Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
Sep 1959
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1982.735
Production period
Description
CAC CA-28 Ceres - ZK-BPU - ex VH-CED. Ceres Agricultural aeroplane, monoplane. Low wing radial engine aircraft. Cockpit extended to provide room for rear passenger compartment. The aeroplane could accommodate pilot and engineer or loader. Cockpit includes a Perspex canopy that slides to allow access to the cockpit. Engine is a 9-cylinder Pratt and Whitney Wasp radial engine built by CAC. There is a 3-bladed, constant speed propeller, painted black with yellow tips. The engine is stamped R12304F, 79693. Landing gear consists of 2 wheels at the front and one wheel at the tail. On the port side of the aeroplane, there are toe holds for the pilot and loader to climb into the aeroplane. On the elevator, the internal structure has been left exposed and a panel has been left off to show the inside of the Ceres. The aeroplane has been painted white with red, black and yellow markings. There is a red light directly behind the cockpit. The wings of the Ceres have not been reattached.
Brief History
Originally this aircraft was manufactured in Australia as a CAC Wirraway. In late 1959 it was deregistered in Australia, sold to Aerial Farming (NZ) Limited and imported and registered in New Zealand from February 1960. It was used predominantly in the North Island for agricultural tasks such as the distribution of solid or liquid fertilizer or insecticides.
After operating for a couple of years, ZK-BPU was damaged during an approach to land and following this the aircraft was modified to a Ceres C cockpit configuration. In 1965 James Aviation purchased Aerial Farming, and the livery was repainted in the red and white colours of James Aviation.
The aircraft operated by James Aviation for a number of year, through until April 1970 when the plane crashed after takeoff. It was deregistered in May 1970 and in 1971 was donated in its damaged state to MOTAT. Since 1971 the plane has been repaired and restored to its current condition.
After operating for a couple of years, ZK-BPU was damaged during an approach to land and following this the aircraft was modified to a Ceres C cockpit configuration. In 1965 James Aviation purchased Aerial Farming, and the livery was repainted in the red and white colours of James Aviation.
The aircraft operated by James Aviation for a number of year, through until April 1970 when the plane crashed after takeoff. It was deregistered in May 1970 and in 1971 was donated in its damaged state to MOTAT. Since 1971 the plane has been repaired and restored to its current condition.
Marks
ZK-BPU Painted
Ceres Painted
Ceres Painted
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Private Limited. Sep 1959. Aircraft [Commonwealth Aircraft CA-28 Ceres ZK-BPU], 1982.735. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
The correct Australian registration for this aircraft was VH-CED, not VH-CEL.
- Stewart Kedar posted 3 years ago.