Happy Birthday Tiger Moth

[nudemetalz]

80th Birthday yesterday for it's first flight...and they're still flying around all over the world today...

335 were used by the RNZAF between 1939 and 1956, 181 actually being produced in Rongotai, Wellington.

There are still around 50 flying (I maybe wrong there) in NZ.

[Dodgy]

And I own one :yes:

249477

Silver BLV

[nudemetalz]

And I own one :yes:

249477

Silver BLV

hmmmm......
Did I tell you how much I love Tigers ;)

Back in 2005 for our honeymoon, we went down to Mandeville and went up in a Fox Moth. The Mrs loved it !! (as did I)

[Dodgy]

BAT was the first plane that I ever flew in, when I was 16 - 45 minutes of aerobatics :gob:. Many years later, I did my tiger rating and first tiger solo in it

Mandeville is a wonderful place!

[SPman]

Never got the chance. I was assisting Myles Robertson when he was "kitsetting" 3 Tigers in the early 80's - the plan was I'd get to fly one when they were rebuilt, but, it never happened, so I am, alas, Tiger-time-less !

Have some time in a Moth Minor, though........

[nudemetalz]

BAT was the first plane that I ever flew in, when I was 16 - 45 minutes of aerobatics :gob:. Many years later, I did my tiger rating and first tiger solo in it

Mandeville is a wonderful place!

aha,... The Whittakers Tiger...
This is from The Welly Airport 75th Jubilee..

[nudemetalz]

Also here's my (new at that time) wife with the Fox Moth at Mandeville just before we went up in it.

[pete376403]

BAT was the first plane that I ever flew in, when I was 16 - 45 minutes of aerobatics :gob:. Many years later, I did my tiger rating and first tiger solo in it

Mandeville is a wonderful place!

As in ZK-BAT? That used to be the glider tug when they were flying out of Whitemans valley (behind Upper Hutt)
My brother was learning to fly gliders, so I used to tag along and quite often I would get to go up in the Tiger Moth check flight first thing. Very occasionally I would also get a ride when it was towing gliders. Quite exciting when the glider released and the tug would peel away in a dive, seeing the airspeed indicator on the wing read almost 100 was pretty full on.
There was another moth stored at the back of the hanger, with its wings off. I spen hours sitting in the cockpit of that one "flying"

[Dodgy]

Yes, ZK-BAT. When I went in it, she was red. Now she is partially dismantled and sitting in the back of the hangar. The engine has been lent to another tiger and she needs new fabric.

Sam Higgins flew the tiger into Wgtn that time for the open day. He had to make up a nylon skid for her as landing on the seal with a metal skid was something that the airport company were not too keen on!

I like the Fox Moth - what was that like to fly in?

[Pussy]

Never had the pleasure of flying a DH 82.
I have, however, flown the DHC-1.... bloody awesome little aeroplane!

[nudemetalz]

The Fox-Moth was a real experience.
Sat opposite each other in this tiny cramped passenger compartment, with a hole behind us for communicating with the pilot (Ryan,..who gave us the occasional thumbs-up).
Everything happened very slowly, even the "high-speed" low altitude pass down the Croydon runway !!

Also funny was looking across and seeing the ASI mounted on the wing strut showing about 50 knots and then looking down and watching the cars overtaking us on the State Highway !!

Absolutely loved it and thoroughly recommend anyone who loves aviation does it.

[Dodgy]

Got a chipmunk (DHC-1) rating as well - they are a far better balanced and nicer aircraft to fly. Still prefer the tiger though for the open cockpit experience! There are three at Masterton.

I have been fortunate to log 1.5hr in a Mk9 Spitfire. The chipmunk feels very similar to the Spit in terms of control feel and harmonisation - there is a definite synergy there.

[nudemetalz]

You do solo in the Spit or with the twin-seater?

[Dodgy]

Flew Dougs 2 seater. That plane has hardly had a charmed life :shit:

[megageoff76]

My Grandad used to own ZK BRM, but sold it quite a few years ago. I remember going up in it with my brother when we were about 6..with mum telling him not to do any loops and other shit :sick:

I found a recent video of it on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0WNA0HHHQo

The significance of the tiger graphic on the tail with the pipe is that Grandad used to smoke a pipe.