How a stunning DH Dominie took to the air again

Feature

Avspecs’ Warren Denholm tells us about his company’s latest de Havilland restoration — a gorgeous DH89B Dominie, destined for the USA

The Avspecs team which worked on ’AKU poses for a photo on 23 February, the day of the maiden flight.
The Avspecs team which worked on ’AKU poses for a photo on 23 February, the day of the maiden flight. VIA WARREN DENHOLM

“We tried to make it as neat and tidy as we could”, says Warren Denholm modestly of the latest project to emerge from his Avspecs company’s facility at Ardmore, south-east of Auckland. As he spoke, de Havilland Dominie ZK-AKU was literally about to leave by road, the initial stage of its journey to new custodians in the USA. Following a restoration that took a little over two years, flight tests had just been completed and the classic airliner has rejoined the swelling ranks of the world’s airworthy DH89s.

Avspecs

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime

    • Choose from our offers below

Try Key.Aero Premium for free ✈️ Register for a Key.Aero account to view a curated selection of Premium articles for FREE.
Thumbnail

Originally published in Aeroplane Magazine

More about Aeroplane magazine and where to buy.

Find out more