Flight of the Fox Moth

[K5054NZ]

After hearing on Saturday from the commentary team that a ride in the Dominie, Dragonfly or Fox Moth would set you back only $100, I decided I must check my bank balance and that I owed it to myself to go for a jaunt in my favourite old lady of Croydon, the Fox.

In actual fact the rides were only $80, so was a very pleasant surprise. The very small cabin was occupied by myself and another, Australian enthusiast - "I just wanted to go for a ride in something, don't care what!" - and our pilot was Lachie, sadly I missed his surname.






The first time I'd seen one of these style airspeed indicators in action. I'm sure it got up to 120 at one point...

Intrepid pilot Lachie keeping an eye on me.






A general view of "Warbird Alley"...what can you identify?


The cockpit....would love to hop into this one day...

And, 20+ minutes later, one very, very happy enthusiast.

Thanks to Ryan, Colin, Maeva, Glen, Lachie et al for bringing these superb aeroplanes along for us all to watch, and also for offering flights. I always love seeing the Croydon Contingent

[Ian Warren]

COOL! Figured ya were'nt threadin ya self on a chute , least theirs canvas under ya WINGS

[ardypilot]

Awesome stuff Zac - real jealous up here!

As like you, I'm a big Tiger Moth fan, and since discovering the Fox Moth in an old library book quite recently, have been equally fascinated with design.

Cheers for posting the photos, looked like a real treat.

PS- What's with the Croydon referances? I know there used to be London's main airport there back in the 30's, but whats the kiwi connection? Whre the de Havillands from Omaka built there or something? Just funny to hear the name mentioned on this forum- for me growing up, East Croydon was one of the station stops on the way into the central city from my old town in England

[spongebob206]

Awesome,

Thanks for the photo's mate.

Obviously an excellent show.

[K5054NZ]

Andy, the Croydon Aircraft Company is based at Mandeville, near Gore - they operate these lovely machines and restore others. Mandeville is the spiritual home of DH types here in New Zealand, with Colin and Maeva Smith having rebuilt such aircraft as Sir Tim Wallis' Fox Moth there, reconditioned several Tiger Moths, Hornet Moth underway, Comet replica, and also Bill Charney's lovely Beech 17.

So when I say Croydon, it's in a slightly different context I see where the confusion came about, sorry!

Derek - excellent, superb, amazing, spellbinding, any number of superlatives can cover CF09 quite well! Bring on 2011!

[spongebob206]

Thanks,

Sadly i was stuck in Auckland visiting my inlaws.

Up side was I managed to sneak through the back door of the hanger at Keith park on saturday to molest NZ2305. I was buzzing mate, she looked beautiful.

Will post pics onced uploaded.

She is coming along really well. From marton in the early sixties, they have only really made progress over the last decade. A new wing was manufactured as it was chain sawed for transport.
Should be complete and on show within 5 years.

Talking to the engineer was awesome. Apparently some rich American has purchase and is restoring another Mossie (Canadian I think) to Flying commission.
Guess where? Yes NZ! Yippee. This is apparently happening at Whenuapai, so hopefully we will get to see the first flights. Sadly this will be shipped out once complete.


Cheers

[spongebob206]

Here she is

Check out the dual controls, modified to retrain pilots in the 50"s











Enjoy

[Bazza]

Here's a copy of an old painting you may find interesting.....

[K5054NZ]

Ah, love that painting! Seen it several times, would love a print!

Derek, the DH98 being restored to fly in NZ is Jerry Yagen's KA114, an FB26. You can view updates of the restoration here: http://warbirdrestoration.co.nz/current.html. Its being undertaken by AvSpecs at Ardmore, the guys behind such superb machines as Rod Lewis' Spitfire MkVb BL628 "Marion", Dick Thurman's P-40K, as well as having such delights currently in the shop as TWO Spitfires (XIV and XVI), Rod Lewis' P-40C, and a Sabre jet! No doubt KA114 will be another award winner. Nice to see NZ2305 progressing, too!

And although it'll be shipped to Jerry's Virginia base when complete, Glyn Powell (mastermind of the fuselage mould recreations) has his own aircraft, NZ2308, to be restored to fly. A real treat in the pipeline!

[spongebob206]

QUOTE (K5054NZ @ Apr 14 2009, 05:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, love that painting! Seen it several times, would love a print!

Derek, the DH98 being restored to fly in NZ is Jerry Yagen's KA114, an FB26. You can view updates of the restoration here: http://warbirdrestoration.co.nz/current.html. Its being undertaken by AvSpecs at Ardmore, the guys behind such superb machines as Rod Lewis' Spitfire MkVb BL628 "Marion", Dick Thurman's P-40K, as well as having such delights currently in the shop as TWO Spitfires (XIV and XVI), Rod Lewis' P-40C, and a Sabre jet! No doubt KA114 will be another award winner. Nice to see NZ2305 progressing, too!

And although it'll be shipped to Jerry's Virginia base when complete, Glyn Powell (mastermind of the fuselage mould recreations) has his own aircraft, NZ2308, to be restored to fly. A real treat in the pipeline!

My Dreams are coming true.

Thanks Zac, you are a man of knowledge.

Hopefully we can fly in one some day!

Cheers Mate

[K5054NZ]

Let's get a syndicate together and buy our own! About time Wanganui had a resident warbird!

[spongebob206]

Little bit out of our league I think, but hey, never say die. You never know...................

[Naki]

Nice one Zac - wish I was there ...the Foxmoth ride must been great ..plus the bonus of been in a formation with other period DHs.

[K5054NZ]

Many thanks to Dom pilot Ryan Southam for organising the formation! A great pilot who managed to get the aircraft in very close together for my shots

[FlyingKiwi]

That would have been an awesome experience, there's a ton of history behind that plane.