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Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan ZK-AHO
Image from a Christmas card sent out by NZ Aerial Mapping showing the Kansan taking off from Milford airstrip in 1964. Leo White Collection, Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT.
In 1936 the Government set up a programme to photograph and map the whole country. Originally the RNZAF was given this task, but when World War II broke out the contract was given to New Zealand Aerial Mapping Ltd. These first photographs were used to produce maps for the Defence Department.
Photographer at work in the Kansan’s cockpit. Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.
The Kansan was retired in 1980 and donated to MOTAT in 1982. It still retains its original paint.
Date: 1937 Manufacturer: Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas Type: Bombing and gunnery trainer Wing span: 14. 5 m Length: 10.4 m Engine: Two 450 HP Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engines Accommodation: Eight
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New
Zealand Aerial Mapping Ltd had been started by Piet Van Asch in 1935 and
the Kansan was used from 1943. It was the company’s second aircraft, the
first being a Monospar. The Beechcraft Kansan was initially manufactured
as a military training aircraft. Piet van Asch thought the aircraft
would be appropriate for photography because it offered good vision and
performance, and it provided a stable platform and long range. It was
modified for its new role - the bomb bay was converted into a
photographic dark room and bomb racks were removed so that cameras could
be installed.