Memories Of Stuart Tantrum.

[Gavin Conroy]

At Stuart's memorial service last night a slide show was played covering Stuart's life and what an amazing life he lead.
It made me think of a few other photos I had taken over the years.
I met Stuart back in 2001 for the first time and was friends with him ever since. He was a man that I respected greatly.
One thing Stuart really wanted to do was fly all seven Fokker Triplanes which he did do and his son Wayne and I went along on some of the flights and captured these images of all seven.
























Flying the Fokker D.VII and Pfalz D.III





His time spent with the DH-2 DH-5 and the second Pfalz.









Stuart flying the Stearman that he and his team restored.



Stuart and son Wayne flying in the Tiger they restored.



Releasing some carrier pigeons.



The Avro 504k was restored by Stuart over a 25 year period and is operated by TVAL.
He really did love this aeroplane and seeing him fly it for the first time was such a thrill, I shall never forget it.
Those memories of Stuart will remain forever, the 504k was so important to him and although he was a pilot he loved the engineering aspect more and the 504k was the culmination of both.



His faithful companion and favourite aeroplane.

[Dave Homewood]

Excellent post Gavin. Stuart was a real legend and will be missed. All thoese aeroplanes are an amazing legacy, we will see his work flying for many decades to come hopefully. My favourite is the Avro 504K, such a masterpiece.

[Radialicious]

Yeah Stuarts passing is a damn shame. When i was a young teenager, the name Stuart Tantrum was well known to me through reading NZ Wings magazine around the time that he built the Fokker Dr.1. I met Stu back in 1993 when I visited Ohakea on an Aermacchi ground training course in the RNZAF. He was based at Foxpine then. I really came to know him when he moved to Omaka. My involvement in the vintage/warbird scene led me to become very good friends with Stu. The restoration of Bristol Freighter ZK-CPT in the early months could not have happened without the generosity of Stu and the lads at Antique Aeroworks. Tools, machinery, workshop space and his smoko room were freely available as and when needed. His advice on all things mechanical and aeronautical didn't stop at the Bristol alone and that will never be forgotten. His craftsmanship will also be remembered and his Avro 504K is testament to that. Anyone who hasn't had the chance to look over it closely is really missing out. It is a true work of art and is absolutely world class.
Stu fought a tough fight with his illness. It was satisfying seeing him complete the 504 but I wish I was able to see him fire up the steam launch that was making such good progress when I left Blenheim for Christchurch.
Stuarts passing will leave a big hole in the vintage aviation scene in New Zealand but we can all be grateful for the input that he gave and the legacy that remains.

[nuuumannn]

A sad, sad loss of a real character. What skill he had in those hands of his. G'bye, Stu.

[harvard1041]

Indeed a sad loss - and a nice Memorial Service on Sunday - a real talent and full of enthusiasm.

First met Stuart back in 1977 when he had his SE5a up in Hamilton - for a teenager mad keen on aircraft this was just great stuff. Recall meeting him again at Foxpine some years later and in recent times he has been working on some wings for a Project - did a great job as always - sadly not finished before his cancer got him.

A good fella.

Hvd1041

[Dave Homewood]

That boat looks really nice!

[aileronroll]

Excellent pic's, thank you for posting. I knew Stu years ago at Pine Park, in fact I think it was Foxpine in those days. He was always good for a chat and the workmanship on his aircraft just stunning, from memory it was the Fokker, SE5A, and Tiger Moth, I think ZK-ALX, where is that lovely Tiger these days?

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone have a chronological list of all the vintage and classic aircraft that Stuart built or rebuilt over the years?