Skip to main content

Story: Topdressing

Aircraft fertiliser hopper

Image
Aircraft fertiliser hopper

This fertiliser hopper has been removed from a topdressing aircraft to so that flow rates can be measured. The hopper is being filled at the top by a fertiliser loader – the curved panel fits the top of the aircraft fuselage. At the lower side of the hopper are the hopper doors that open to release the fertiliser.

Using this item

Private collection

by John Maber

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

John Maber, Topdressing – Origins of aerial topdressing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16555/aircraft-fertiliser-hopper (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by John Maber, published 1 March 2009.