No. 42 Squadron RNZAF

It was formed at Rongotai Airport (Wellington) in December 1943 to provide a communications service around New Zealand, initially using impressed civilian types.It was briefly officially disbanded in 1946, but its aircraft continued with general purpose operations at RNZAF Station Ohakea (near Bulls).TBF Avengers flown by 42 Squadron pilots were involved in the first aerial topdressing trials carried out in the world, spreading superphosphate fertiliser alongside the runways at RNZAF Ohakea.The P-51 Mustang also provided high-speed towing of banner targets, especially for de Havilland Vampire jets, and was used extensively for co-operation in army manoeuvres.[2] In July 2020, New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark welcomed the delivery of the fourth and final King Air 350 to Ohakea, bringing No.42 Squadron back up to full operating capability.
Devon NZ1802 of 42 Squadron at Wellington Airport on 21 April 1971
An RNZAF Andover in 1977
New ZealandRoyal New Zealand Air ForceRNZAF Base OhakeaMāoriEnglishKererūBeechcraft B300 King Air 350iGulf WarIran–Iraq WarSomaliaSquadron LeaderRongotai AirportWellingtonRNZAF Station OhakeasquadronNorth American HarvardAusterGrumman AvengerAirspeed Oxfordde Havilland DevonNorth American P-51 MustangDouglas Dakotaaerial topdressingsuperphosphatetowing of banner targetsde Havilland VampireQueen ElizabethDakotasHawker Siddeley AndoverNo. 2 Squadron RNZAFDouglas A-4 SkyhawksRNZAF WhenuapaiNo. 1 SquadronUnited Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer GroupTehranUnified Task ForceMogadishuBeechcraft Model B200 King AirsKing Air 350Minister of DefenceRon MarkAustralia437 (Husky) Transport Squadron412 Transport SquadronNo. 32 (The Royal) SquadronNo. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 38 Squadron RAAFRoyal New Zealand Air Force flying squadronsNavigation and Air Electronics Training SquadronCentral Flying SchoolPilot Training SquadronArticle XV squadrons75 (NZ)