Fairey Gordons were among the obsolete RAF aircraft shipped to New Zealand at the start of World War II. Used for training. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

N1731 seen here during testing of underwing long-range fuel tanks. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

This was the first Gordon built and at the time of the photo was with 6 Squadron. It had been converted to a dual control trainer. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

K2757 was lost in a landing accident in 1938 while being operated on floats. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Crashed during a firing run at the Lake Ellesmere bombing range. Written off. It had been allocated the RNZAF serial NZ609 but not applied. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Scrapped in May 1943. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Scrapped in April 1943. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

One of the many obsolete aircraft shipped from the UK to New Zealand in 1939. Never acquired an RNZAF serial. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

Arrived in New Zealand in 1939/40 ex RAF but its serial is not known. Used as a target tug. Scrapped in 1943. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The RNZAF received ex RAF Gordons at the start of World War I for training. K4006 became NZ611 in time. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

NZ616 led an accident-prone existence with the RNZAF and was finally written off after another Gordon crashed into it at Birdling Flat on January 22, 1941. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

EX RAF, supplied for pilot training in 1939. The Gordons were found to be worn out and were retired by 1943. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Developed from the Fairey IIIF and very similar to the Fairey Gordon, the Seal was a naval spotter and reconnaissance aircraft that could be operated from carriers and also as a floatplane, like the Swordfish which would replace it. This is probably a factory photo of K3481 when new. It was also photographed while serving with No 821 Sqn of the FAA in 1934. Apparently it was with a Royal Air Force training unit when it crashed at RAF Usworth in 1939. Postcard.