This aircraft was ordered new by New Zealand National Airways Corporation

Built at the Vickers-Armstrong Weybridge factory

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-BRF - September 17, 1958

Registered to New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Wellington, New Zealand

First flown - February 24, 1959

Accepted by NZNAC at Weybridge - March 12, 1959

Prior to its departure from Weybridge a small 'shamrock' was painted on the starboard nose-wheel door

This 'good-will' gesture had been applied by an Aer Lingus flight crew who were also at Weybridge at that time

The 'shamrock' remained on the aircraft its entire life and is now on display at the Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch

Departed Weybridge on the delivery flight to New Zealand - March 12, 1959

It arrived at Christchurch on completion of the delivery flight - March 23, 1959

Flight crew: Captains L. J. Ransom, C. A. Merrington, J. H. Register

The aircraft was named 'City of Christchurch'

It operated the inaugural Viscount service Auckland - Wellington (Rongotai) - July 19, 1959

It set a speed record of 1 hour 8 minutes flying Auckland - Wellington (Capt J. H. Register) - November 12, 1959

It was rolled out following repainting into the new livery to match the Boeing 737 fleet - 1968

The aircraft was grounded following the discovery of a crack in the wing attachment point - July 03, 1970

Replacement parts were flown out from England and fitted

The aircraft returned to service - July 21, 1970

It operated its final revenue service ? - Christchurch - July 12, 1974

It was withdrawn from service and stored at Christchurch having flown 35,795 hours with 30, 373 cycles

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - January 21, 1975

Useful parts were removed from the aircraft prior to it going on display at Christchuch

It was loaned to the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch - April 10, 1975

Moved to the Air New Zealand engineering facility at Christcurch Airport for restoration work - December 11, 1993

To facilitate this transport the aircraft had to cross the airport's runway

The tug crew radioed the Control Tower to 'request taxi clearance for BRF on return finals'

This request was greeted with 'you are cleared for immediate crossing due to low fuel state'

Restoration work completed and the aircraft returned to the Museum - January 28, 2000

It was moved into a partially completed hangar to continue the restoration under cover - March 03, 2001

Observed with major restoration work well advanced on both exterior and interior of the aircraft - September 2006

This aircraft was in great shape to mark the 60th Anniversary of the founding of NAC - March 22, 2007

A strong earthquake moved the aircraft on its steel mounting pads - September 04, 2010

No damage was sustained by the aircraft but it was left in a slightly new display position

A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake moved the aircraft on its floor mounting blocks - February 22, 2011

The starboard wingtip came into contact with the building's wall and was damaged

The aircraft was also covered in a thick layer of dust

Further earth tremors have caused more damage to the wingtip

Current with the Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch

ZK-BRF. New Zealand National Airways Corporation - 'City of Christchurch' in the original livery at Wellington Airport, August 1959.

(Whites Aviation Copyright Image 0128-086.)

ZK-BRF. New Zealand National Airways Corporation - 'City of Christchurch' in the original livery at Christchurch Airport, circa 1960.

(V. C. Browne Copyright Image 0128-085.)

ZK-BRF. New Zealand National Airways Corporation - 'City of Christchurch' in the original livery at Auckland Whenuapai Airport, January 26, 1961.

(A. Balch Collection Copyright Image 0128-055.)

ZK-BRF. New Zealand National Airways Corporation - 'City of Christchurch' in the second livery at Auckland Airport, circa 1967.

(G. Reid Collection Copyright Image 0128-057.)

ZK-BRF. NAC National Airways - 'City of Christchurch' in the standard livery at Auckland Airport, circa 1968.

(P. Lewis Collection Copyright Image 0128-058.)

ZK-BRF. NAC National Airways - 'City of Christchurch' in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, circa 1969.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0128-041.)

ZK-BRF. New Zealand National Airways Corporation - 'City of Christchurch' in the second livery at the Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch, April 10, 2006.

(G. Canciani Copyright Image 0128-087.)