NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

Fairey Gordon Mk.I & II
NZ601 to NZ641 & RAF Serials

     
 

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As the individual aircraft conversions from the RAF serials to the NZ serials are unknown except for a few exceptions, the aircraft histories are displayed in two complete parts.

 
     
 

Listing by RAF Serial

 
     
 
Serial c/n Type RNZAF.Serial
(Where known)
Aircraft History
K1161 F.1305 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 933798/29 in July 1930.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 19 July 1930.
To No.35 Squadron on 19 January 1931.
To Aircraft Repair Section Henlow on 27 July 1932.
Converted to Gordon in August 1932.
To No.207 Squadron on 24 October 1932 coded "A4" at Bircham Newton and later in Sudan.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 15 January 1936.
To Station Flight, Eastchurch on 23 September 1937 and converted to Target Tower.
To No.8 Squadron, Air Training Corps. on 30 November 1937.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 30 June 1939. to RNZAF.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland on September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by January 1940.
Hit by Gordon NZ619 while parked at Wigram on 29 January 1940.
NZ 619 swung on landing to avoid a Union Airways Lockheed Electra and collided with K1161.
The aircraft may have been written off as a result of the collision.
K1715 F.1414 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract35535/30 between August and December 1930.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 15 December 1930.
To Packing Depot on 29 April 1931.
To Aircraft Depot Aboukir on 09 June 1931 for No.45 Squadron.
To Aircraft Depot Aboukir. Converted to Gordon in December 1934 as KR1715. To No.14 Squadron by 1937.
To RNZAF in April 1939 when it had flown 1405.55 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
K1757 F.1456 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 15 June 1931.
To No.207 Squadron on 30 July 1931.
To ARS Henlow on 18 July 1932.
Converted to Gordon in September 1932.
To No.207 Squadron at Bircham Newton and later in the Sudan coded "C1".
To Packing depot on 09 March 1936.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 28 December 1936.
To Station Flight Eastchurch on 27 September 1937 to be converted to Target Tower.
To No.8 Squadron, Air Training Corps. on 14 December 1937.
To No.365 Maintenance Unit on 22 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K1765 F.1464 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 27 June 1931.
Converted to Gordon.
To No.207 Squadron on 18 February 1932 at Bircham Newton and later in the Sudan.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 13 January 1936.
To Packing Depot on 09 March 1936.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 25 March 1936 as reserve.
To RNZAF in April 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K1767 F.1466 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 03 July 1931.
Converted to Gordon.
To Royal Aircraft Establishment on 25 January 1932 for target towing trials.
To Air Armourment School on 27 February 1932.
To Home Aircraft Depot on 12 January 1933.
To No.2 Flying Training School on 21 March 1933.
To Home Aircraft Depot on 01 August 1933.
To No.40 Squadron on 20 June 1934.
To No.35 Squadron on 15 March 1935.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 09 December 1935.
Shipped to Middle East on 01 April 1936 as reserve.
To RNZAF in April 1939 when it had flown 310.5 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
Tested for drogue towing at Wigram on 06 October 1939.
K1770 F.1469 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 14 July 1931.
To Royal Aircraft Establishment on 30 January 1932 for fitting target towing gear.
To Air Armament School on 23 February 1932.
To Cardington on 11 January 1932.
To Home Aircraft Depot on 11 January 1933.
To No.2 Flying Training School on 15 March 1933.
To Cardington on 02 August 1933.
Converted to Gordon in May 1934.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 19 December 1935.
To Packing Depot on 09 March 1936.
Shipped to Middle East on 01 April 1936 as reserve.
To RNZAF in April 1939. Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by January 1940.
K1772 F.1471 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 21 July 1931.
To Air Armament School on 16 February 1932.
To Home Aircraft Depot on 20 January 1933.
Converted to Gordon in July 1933. To eastchurch on 18 March 1935.
To Leuchars on 29 March 1935.
To No.1 Flying Training school on 08 July 1936.
To No.36 maintenance Unit for RNZAF on 19 October 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
K1775 F.1474 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey IIIF to Contract 33535/30 between May and July 1931.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 10 August 1931.
Converted to Gordon in July 1932.
To No.35 Squadron on 29 July 1932.
Damaged at No.3 Air Training Corps. on 02 May 1935.
To No.2 Air Support Unit on 21 January 1936. to Station Flight, Eastchurch on 22 September 1937 for fitting of target towing gear.
To No.8 squadron, Air Training Corps. on 30 November 1937.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 04 July 1939.
To RNZAF on 26 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2620 F.1601 MK.I NZ613 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between March and May 1932.
Delivered to Packing Depot on 16 April 1932.
To Aircraft Depot Aboukir on 05 July 1932 for No.35 Squadron coded "4".
To RNZAF in April 1939 with 1078.15 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
Became NZ613.
K2633 F.1614 MK.I NZ615 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between March and May 1932.
Delivered to Packing Depot on 04 May 1932.
To Aircraft Depot Aboukir on 22 July 1932 for No.14 Squadron coded "J".
To RNZAF in April 1939 with 1574.35 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
Became NZ615.
K2636 F.1617 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between March and May 1932.
Delivered to Packing Depot on 04 May 1932.
To Aircraft Depot Aboukir on 09 August 1932 for No.14 Squadron coded.
Collided with K2621 in formation near Ma'an on 16 February 1933 and landed safely.
To No.6 Squadron coded "E".
To RNZAF in April 1939 with 1121.55 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2694 F.1766 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Depot on 17 June 1932.
To No.2 ASU on 06 January 1933.
To No.35 Squadron on 25 July 1933.
To No.2 ASU on 12 December 1935.
To Air Observers School on 24 September 1937.
To No.8 Air Training Corps on 18 November 1937.
To No.8 Armament Training Station on 01 April 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 30 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939. Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by January 1940.
K2706 F.1778 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Aircraft Storage Section, Kenley on 07 July 1932.
To Packing Depot on 16 December 1932.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 24 January 1933 for No.14 Squadron.
Collided with K2816 in formation near Amman on 25 October 1934 but landed safely.
To RNZAF in April 1939 with 1197.45 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2709 F.1781 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Aircraft Storage Section, Kenley on 11 July 1932.
To Aircraft Storage section on 24 April 1934.
To No.3 Air Training Corps where it was damaged on 21 December 1936.
To No.1 Air Training Corps on 08 October 1937.
To No.1 Armament Training Station on 01 April 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 11 July 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939. Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2715 F.1787 Mk I NZ625 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Aircraft Storage Section, Kenley on 19 July 1932.
To No.40 Squadron on 12 December 1933.
To No.2 ASU on 10 December 1935.
To No.35 Squadron on 05 June 1937.
To No.1 Air Training Corps on 09 August 1937.
To RNZAF on 26 August 1939. Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
Became NZ625.
K2716 F.1788 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Aircraft Storage Section, Kenley on 09 August 1932.
To Aircraft Storage Section on 20 April 1934.
To No.1 Flying Training School on 31 May 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 19 October 1939.
To RNZAF.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2717 F.1789 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Aircraft Storage Section, Kenley on 09 August 1932.
To Aircraft Storage Section on 20 April 1934.
To No.3 Air Training Corps.
Collided with Moth K1883 after take off at Sutton Bridge on 24 May 1937 but landed safely.
To No.1 Armament Training Station on 28 April 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 26 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
K2723 F.1795 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 25 August 1932.
To Packing Depot on 01 November 1934.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 04 January 1935.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.8 Flying Training School on 07 September 1937.
Fitted out as target tower.
To No.8 Air Training Corps on 28 November 1937.
To No.8 Armament Training Station on 01 April 1938.
Hit by Swordfish L2726 while parked at Evanton on 19 May 1938 and repaired on site.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 13 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2726 F.1798 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 15 September 1932.
To Packing Depot on 05 November 1934.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 04 January 1935 for No.47 Squadron.
Taxied into another aircraft at Khartoum on 31 October 1935, and repaired on site.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.8 Flying Training School on 07 September 1937.
Fitted out as target tower.
To No.8 Air Training Corps on 30 November 1937.
To No.8 Armament training station on 01 April 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 30 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by January 1940.
K2727 F.1799 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 16 September 1932.
To Air Armament School on 04 April 1935.
To No.3 Air Training Corps on 05 April 1937.
To Air Training Corps Leuchars on 16 june 1937.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 19 October 1939.
To RNZAF in 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2731 F.1813 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 11 October 1932.
To No.207 Squadron on 24 September 1935.
Shipped to Middle east with Squadron on 25 September 1935.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.8 Flying Training School on 07 April 1937.
Fitted out as target tower.
To No.8 Air Training Corps on 30 November 1937.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 30 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939. Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2742 F.1824 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 31 October 1932.
To Packing Depot on 22 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936 as reserve.
To RNZAF in April 1939 with 402.4 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K2759 F.1886 MK.I NZ629(?) Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Department on 12 January 1933.
To No.35 Squadron on 19 September 1935.
Shipped to Middle east with Squadron on 23 September 1935.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.35 Squadron on 01 december 1936.
To No.4 ASU on 08 October 1937.
To No.1 Anti-aircraft Co-operation Unit on 28 June 1938.
To No.24 Maintenance Unit on 01 October 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 06 september 1939.
Allocated instructional serial 1254M but not taken up.
To RNZAF.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
Possibly became NZ629.
K2763 F.1890 MK.I NZ630 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Department on 27 January 1933.
To No.207 Squadron on 19 September 1935.
Shipped to Middle East with Squadron on 23 September 1935.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.207 Squadron on 04 December 1936.
To No.1 Air Training Corps on 21 September 1938.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 26 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939. Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
Became NZ630.
K2767 F.1894 MK.I   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 126629/31 between May 1932 and January 1933.
Delivered to Home Aircraft Department on 17 February 1933.
To No.35 Squadron on 23 September 1935.
Shipped to Middle East with Squadron on 23 September 1935.
Returned to United Kingdom.
To No.207 Squadron on 15 December 1936.
To Air Observers School on 23 September 1937.
To No.8 Air Training Corps on 16 November 1937.
To No.36 Maintenance Unit on 22 June 1939.
To RNZAF on 05 August 1939.
Shipped to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland in September/October 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K3987 F.1941 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 26 January 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 July 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 11 September 1935.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 1565.4 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by January 1940.
K3993 F.1947 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 13 February 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936 for No.14 squadron coded "L".
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 169.15 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K3995 F.1949 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 21 March 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 30 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 134.25 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K3998 F.1952 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 06 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To Iraq on 24 May 1938 for Iraq Conversion Flight.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K3999 F.1953 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 09 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K4000 F.1954 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 11 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K4001 F.1955 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 13 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
Collided with K2763 on the tarmac during a night flying exercise at Wigram on 20 December 1939.
K4002 F.1956 MK.II NZ612 EX RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 17 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by November 1939.
Became NZ612.
K4003 F.1957 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 19 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
K4004 F.1958 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 24 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K4005 F.1959 MK.II NZ609 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 27 April 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
Departed Hobsonville on 30 June 1939 and was delivered to Wigram on 04 July.
Became NZ609.

Fairey Gordon 
K4005
RNZAF Photo

K4006 F.1960 MK.II NZ611 Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 01 May 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 30 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by November 1939.
Became NZ611.
K4007 F.1961 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 03 May 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 30 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
To No.1 FTS, Wigram by December 1939.
K4008 F.1962 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 09 May 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
K4009 F.1963 MK.II   Ex RAF. Built originally as a Fairey Gordon MK.I to Contract 258005/33 between January and May 1934.
The final Gordon to be built.
Delivered to No.2 ASU on 14 May 1934.
To Packing Department on 23 December 1935.
To Aircraft Depot, Aboukir on 20 January 1936.
To RNZAF on 15 April 1939 with 00.30 hours.
Shipped to New Zealand from Egypt on the Federal Line steamer "Huntingdon" and arrived at Auckland on 04 June 1939.
Trucked to Hobsonville for assembly and test flying at No.1 Aircraft Depot.
Departed Hobsonville 30 June 1939 and was delivered to Wigram on 04 July.

Fairey Gordon 
K4005
RNZAF Photo

 
     
  Listing by RNZAF Serial  
     
 
Serial c/n Type RAF.Serial
(Where known)
Aircraft History
NZ601   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January 1940-May 1942.
Force landed at Bankside on 14 August 1940 but undamaged.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ602   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January 1940-May 1942.
Coded "13".
Force landed in Christchurch on 29 April 1940 damaging the wing, propellor and undercarriage.
Returned to Wigram and repaired.
Reduced to spares at Wigram in August 1942.
NZ603   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January-August 1940.
Crashed at Wigram after stalling during takeoff on 20 August 1940 and was badly damaged.
Force landed on 10 September 1940 with no damage.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ604   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January 1940-May 1942.
Reduced to spares at Wigram in June 1942.
NZ605   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram December 1939-May 1942.
Swung on landing at Birdlings Flat on 22 January 1941 and collided with Gordons NZ616 and NZ631 causing considerable damage to all three.
With No.1 OTU, Ohakea by March 1943 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ606   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January 1940-May 1942.
Overturned on landing during night flying at Wigram on 06 June 1940.
Repaired and returned to service.
To No.10 OTU June 1942 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ607   MK.II   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram January 1940-May 1941.
Coded "13".
Force landed after losing direction in fog during a flight from Wigram on 26 June 1941.
Written off books at Wigram on 28 August 1941 as a result of crash damage.
NZ608   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram December 1939-May 1942.
Converted to drogue tower by January 1942.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ609 F.1959 MK.II K4005 Previously K4005.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July-November 1939.
Crashed near Lake Ellesmere on 13 November 1939.
The aircraft hit the ground in a turn after a firing run.
Acting Pilot Officers J.Duigan and C. Pownall unhurt.
The aircraft was written off as a result of the accident.

Fairey Gordon 
K4005
RNZAF Photo

NZ610   MK.II   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram December 1939-December 1942.
Converted to drogue tower by October 1941.
Coded "17".
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in April 1943.
NZ611 F.1960 ? K4006 Previously K4006.
With the No.1 SFTS, Wigram December 1939-May 1942.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ612 F.1956 MK.II K4002 Previously K4002.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram by November 1939.
Over-ran the runway at Wigram on 03 November 1939 during a night flying exercise and was damaged.
Written off during 1940 as a result of damage sustained in accident.
NZ613 F.1601 ? K2620 Previously K2620.
With the No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-November 1942.
Probably used for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ614   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Possibly stored at Wigram as a spare aircraft.
Reduced to spares at Wigram in June 1942.
NZ615 F.1614 ? K2633 Previously K2633.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram December 1939-May 1942.
Reduced to spares at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ616   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Coded "14".
Crashed into fence at Wigram on 26 January 1940 and suffered minor damage.
Collided on ground with Oxford NZ1201 at Wigram on 06 August 1940.
Repaired and returned to service. Struck by Gordon NZ605 at Birdlings Flat on 22 January 1941.
NZ 605 swung on landing and collided with Gordons NZ616 and NZ631 causing considerable damage to all three aircraft.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ617   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram August 1940-May 1942.
Collided on ground at Wigram with Gordon NZ622 during night flying on 12 March 1940 but undamaged.
With No.1 OTU, Levin July-November 1942.
To No.1 OTU, New Plymouth November 1942.
The aircraft left New Plymouth at 1530 hours on 07 December 1942 for a drogue towing exercise and did not return.
The pilots body was found 10 days later and a wheel from the aircraft washed up on Motunui Beach on 12 March 1944.
It is presumed that the aircraft crashed into the sea.
Sergeant Peter Morey and LAC Thomas Davies killed.
NZ618   MK.I   Fitted with drogue towing winch.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Coded "3" and "7".
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in 1942.
NZ619   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Coded "7".
Collided with Gordon K1161 while landing at Wigram on 29 January 1940.
Repaired and returned to service.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ620   MK.II   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-December 1942.
Coded "12" and "16".
Crashed during formation flying on 08 April 1940.
Repaired and returned to service.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ621   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-February 1942.
Force landed at Wigram on 06 December 1940.
To No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne December 1941-March 1942 for drogue towing.
Probably the last Gordon in RNZAF service.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai 09 July 1943.
NZ622   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-May 1942.
Force landed near Waimakariri River on 21 February 1940.
Repaired and returned to service. Collided on ground at Wigram with Gordon NZ617 during night flying on 12 March 1940 but undamaged.
With No.10 OTU, Levin July-October 1942.
With No.1 OTU, New Plymouth November-December 1942 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in April 1943.
NZ623   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-June 1941.
With No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne August 1941-December 1942 for drogue towing.
Force landed in paddock during flight from Woodbourne on 05 November 1942 but was undamaged.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ624   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-February 1942.
To No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne March 1942 for drogue towing.
Damaged during May 1942 when it hit a radio mast during a drogue towing exercise.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ625 F.1787 MK.I K2157 Previously K2157.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Force landed near Norwood on 24 January 1940 after engine failure.
Force landed at Halswell 05 April 1940 after another engine failure and was slightly damaged.
Repaired and returned to service.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in June 1943.
NZ626   ?   Probably never flew with the RNZAF because of its badly deteriorated condition on arrival.
Converted to instructional airframe INST12 with the Otahuhu Technical Training Centre.
Broken up during 1941 probably at Rongotai.
NZ627   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-May 1942.
Coded "F".
Damaged when Gordon NZ636 collided with it during a taxiing accident at Wigram on 09 April 1940.
Force landed near the Rangitata River mouth on 02 January 1941 after engine failure.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in April 1943.
NZ628   MK.II   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-February 1942.
Coded "6".
With No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne October 1941-September 1942 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in May 1943.
NZ629   ? K2759(?) Possibly K2759.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940.
Blown off course inland in thick cloud over the Southern Alps during a "war-load climb to 15000 feet" from Wigram on 12 April 1940.
The aircraft entered a spin and the crew undid their straps ready to bale out.
With hands off the Gordon recovered from the spin and the crew sat down again.
Moments later the aircraft hit trees on top of a ridge on Mount White and flipped backwards down the side of the steep slope, ending up hanging in the trees.
LACs Walter Raphael, and Wilfred Everist suffered minor injuries but walked out of the forest to be picked up a few days later.
The instruments, guns and engine were later recovered and the remains of the aircraft left where it crashed.
The aircraft was recovered from the crash site by a team led by Bunny Darby in 1976.
It was registered as ZK-TLA in 1988 but has since been stored awaiting restoration and the civil registration has been cancelled.
In April 2004 it was reported that the restoration of the aircraft had started.
NZ630 F.1890 MK.I K2763 Previously K2763.
With No.1 SFTS Wigram by December 1939.
Collided with Avro 626 NZ201 during a night flying exercise at Wigram on 21 December 1939.
Acting Pilot Officer W. Finlayson and Pilot Officer S. Miller unhurt but the aircraft was written off.
NZ631   MK.II   Fitted with drogue towing winch.
With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-May 1942. Struck by Gordon NZ605 at Birdlings Flat on 22 January 1941.
NZ 605 swung on landing and collided with Gordons NZ616 and NZ631 causing considerable damage to all three aircraft.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in April 1943.
NZ632   MK.II   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April-December 1940.
Coded "14".
Crashed near Wigram at 1000 hours on 11 December 1940 while on an instrument training cross country flight.
The aircraft banked steeply at low level and then dived into the ground and caught fire.
LAC Basil Sharp and LAC Leslie Wright killed.
NZ633       With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-May 1942.
With No.1 OTU, New Plymouth November-December 1942 for drogue towing.
Nosed over during an engine run up at New Plymouth on 24 November 1942 and was damaged beyond repair.
NZ634   ?   Probably never flew with the RNZAF because of its badly deteriorated condition on arrival.
Converted to instructional airframe INST15 with one of the South Island Technical Training Centres at Addington or Hillside.
Broken up during 1941 probably at Rongotai.
NZ635   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-February 1942.
To No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne March 1942 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in June 1943.
NZ636   MK.I   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-November 1941.
Coded "18".
Damaged when it collided with Gordon NZ627 during a taxiing accident at Wigram on 09 April 1940.
With No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne December 1941-March 1943 for drogue towing.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in June 1943.
NZ637   ?   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram April 1940-October 1942.
Force landed on 20 June 1941 with no damage.
Reduced to produce at Rongotai in April 1943.
NZ638   MK.I   With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-October 1941.
Coded "19".
With No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne November 1941-January 1942 for drogue towing.
Force landed after engine failure on 10 January 1941 with no damage.
Collided with Harvard NZ957 at Lake Grassmere just after 1500 hours on 23 January 1942 and written off.
The Harvard swung during landing into the path of the Gordon which was taking off.
LAC J. Nelson the Harvard pilot killed, Pilot Officer P. Rishworth injured and LAC A. Griffiths unhurt.
NZ639   ?   Probably never flew with the RNZAF because of its badly deteriorated condition on arrival.
Converted to instructional airframe INST14 with one of the South Island Technical Training Centres at Addington or Hillside.
Broken up during 1941 probably at Rongotai.
NZ640   ?   Probably never flew with the RNZAF because of its badly deteriorated condition on arrival.
Converted to instructional airframe but never issued with an INST serial.
Broken up during 1941 probably at Rongotai.
NZ641   ?   Constructed from spare parts. With No.1 SFTS, Wigram July 1940-May 1942.
To No.2 SFTS, Woodbourne for drogue towing.
Damaged in accident at Woodbourne on 18 June 1942 and written off books as reduced to spares on 25 September 1942 as a result of the damage.
 
     

Author: Ivan Prince (updated by Brendan Cowan)

Source: AHSNZ publications 1971-2002. RNZAF records. "For Your Tomorrow" by Errol Martyn. Logbook of L.H. Higgins. NZCAR 1988. "The K File" by James Halley.

Emails: Les Billcliff. Jane Provan. Charles "Bunny" Darby. Glyn Owen.

Updated 17 December 2013

     

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