The Mitsubishi Mu2 flies into New Zealand aviation history

Departing New Zealand on the 10th of September was the last Mitsubishi Mu2 still in service in New Zealand. ZK-PSR's flight took it from Auckland to Apia on the 10th, to Honolulu 11th, Oakland 14th,  and to Wenatchee, Homer, Anchorage 16th.

Mitsubishi Mu2s have been part of the New Zealand aviation scene off and on since 1980 and have been used in airline, corporate, calibration and air ambulance roles. This is a look at our seven active Kiwi Mu2s...

ZK-WAL - Mitsubishi MU-2B (c/n MU2-037)

24/12/1980     Wairarapa Airlines Ltd, Masterton
04/05/1981     Operated by Lakeair, Taupō
05/10/1982     Alpine Helicopters Ltd, Queenstown
09/07/1986     Departed Auckland on delivery flight to Australia
08/08/1986     Registration cancelled

As the registration suggests, ZK-WAL was initially intended for Wairarapa Airlines' services from Masterton to Auckland and Christchurch. The Mitsubishi proved unsuitable and never entered service with them. Lakeair from Taupō used it to launch Taupō-Auckland services before it being sold to Alpine Helicopters as their corporate aircraft. 

See also :  https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/11/wairarapa-airlines-revisited.html and https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2014/03/lakeair-and-mitsubishis-for-sale.html

Mitsubishi Mu2B, ZK-WAL, on a Lakeair service at Auckland on 13 May 1981

ZK-EKZ - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-519)

15/05/1981     South West Helicopters Ltd, Taupo
00/07/1981     Operated by Lakeair, Taupo
19/01/1982     Air Central Ltd, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

Air Central operated three Mitsubishi Mu2, ZK-EKZ, ZK-EON and ZK-ESM on their central North Island commuter routes. The Mitsubishis were relinquished shortly after the airline was bought by Eagle Air. See more : https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/11/air-central-north-island-commuter.html

Mitsubishi Mu2G ZK-EKZ at Tauranga on 25 November 1982. ZK-EKZ had two additional small windows towards the tail.

ZK-EON - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-513)

10/08/1981     South West Helicopters Ltd, Taupo
14/09/1981     Air Central Ltd, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

Mitsubishi Mu2Gs ZK-EON at Tauranga on 25 November 1982.

ZK-ESM - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-528)

14/05/1982     RCS International (1981) Ltd, Taupo
00/10/1982     Operated by Air Central, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

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  The third Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-ESM at Nelson in January 1983
  
  

ZK-ECR - Mitsubishi MU-2B-26 (c/n 371SA)

23/06/1995     Air National Ltd, Auckland
12/10/2000     Registration cancelled

ZK-ECR was used by Air National for a calibration contract for the Airways Corporation of New Zealand. This involved calibration work for navaids and lights throughout New Zealand as well as in a number of South Pacific nations. This aircraft was operated between June 1995 and October 2000.

Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-ECR in her calibration role at Christchurch on a wet and miserable 5th of August 1999.

ZK-KOH - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-521)

11/07/2005 Helicopter Services (BOP) Ltd, Taupo
15/10/2009 Search & Rescue Services Ltd. Taupo
15/05/2024 Registration cancelled - Withdrawn

ZK-KOH was used in New Zealand as a Westpac air ambulance before it stopped flying in 2024.

ZK-KOH at Tauranga on 17 September 2019

The Westpac Air Ambulance Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-KOH at Auckland on 11 May 2013 

ZK-PSR - Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, (c/n 1569SA)

01/06/2016     Search and Rescue Services Limited, Taupo
25/07/2024     Helicopter Leasing New Zealand Limited, Taupo
19/09/2024      Registration cancelled - Exported

ZK-PSR was employed as a Westpac air ambulance during its service in New Zealand

The Westpac Air Ambulance Mitsubishi Mu2G ZK-PSR at Gisborne on 26 February 2021 on a  medical flight. Nice seeing the rear hatch opened

In addition to these active aircraft the RNZAF acquired four Mitsubishi Mu-2B-20(F)s for use as instructional airframes with the Ground Training Wing at RNZAF Woodbourne. None of these aircraft fly.