Solo (1977)

[kiwithrottlejockey]

An interesting excerpt from the 1977 movie “Solo”....


• Solo (NZ on Screen)

[johnnyfalcon]

I remember when this movie was released, but can hardly remember anything of it...other than it featured a Tiger Moth. C-172M ZK-DXO is still with us? I've flown DXI, DXJ, DXN, and DXQ but not that one

[Bruce]

Tokoroa Airfield...

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I knew Maxwell Fernie who starred in that movie alongside Davina Whitehouse (they were the elderly couple in the film).

He taught music at Victoria University for 30 years and was also the director of music and organist at St Mary of the Angels in Wellington.

[baronbeeza]

I was working at the Tiger Club in the UK in the mid-80's, was talking to a English pilot member about this movie. John Nurse was saying he was visiting NZ at the time and somehow ended up involved. He was just tripping about and he teamed up with the crew and did some flying about, with free lodgings I guess. The job you are having when you are not working.

[madmax]

I'm fairly sure the Tiger in the film Solo was Bill Dittmer's ZK-BCZ

[planewriting]

Jun 11, 2018 9:14:40 GMT 12 madmax said:

I'm fairly sure the Tiger in the film Solo was Bill Dittmer's ZK-BCZ

Correct. I believe I am correct in saying it is in a complete but non airworthy state at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton.

[madmax]

Hi planewriting,

I'm unsure of the status of BCZ these days but do I recall that it was damaged many years back, it and may not have flown since.

I have an idea Bill's other Tiger APM was used in the Solo also, but that was put in the sea by Tony Pratt while performing low level aeros at a Tiger Club fly-in at, I think Te Aroha, in January 1979.

Bill also had another airworthy Tiger at one time, BJO but I don't know what became of it. I've not talked with Bill since I came over for the WRAC 75th anniversary which would have been 14 years ago but sure would like to catch up with him again

Cheers, madmax

[planewriting]

Hi Mad Max

Last time I had a good prowl round Masterton, about 3 years ago, BCZ was in a complete state. KTJ will surely know if that is the current status or not.

On that prowl I came across a guy working on a DH82 fuselage and I enquired of him the registration. He told me "ZK-AJJ" but I was skeptical and was without my aircraft records on hand on a day's outing. When I got home I saw, according to my records, that ZK-AJJ of New Plymouth Aero Club was cancelled as burnt out (hangar fire?) at Bell Block on 15 January 1952. So I asked myself if that was a rebuild from the constructor's plate up or was it ZK-APM under rebuild? It would be great to have APM back in the air as I believe its c/n 3226 makes it the oldest Tiger Moth to have been in New Zealand.

The place APM went into the sea on 26 January 1979 was Te Araroa, which is up by East Cape. Te Aroha is on the inland side of the Kaimai Range which includes Mount Te Aroha. aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=61330

Then again, it may be BJO I saw that day as according to my records Bill Dittmer has that stored.

Comments anyone!

[madmax]

Hi Planewriting,
Many thanks for the Tiger update. Yes, I recall during my years living in Masterton Bill often commented that APM was the oldest DH82 to have flown in NZ, so it would be great to have it back flying again.

Thanks for the correction on the place of APM's demise. I left NZ 32 years ago and although I have been back for the occasional visit place names and locations are becoming a little hazy.

BJO, yes I believe Bill still owns it but its whereabouts is unknown to me. At one time he had a shed near Featherston with a lot of Tiger part stored there but as he now lives in Masterton - or did when we last spoke- perhaps he has moved his stash.

At the WR&R Aero Club jubilee he told me one of his Tiger fuselages had been stolen but I have no idea what aircraft it was from.

Cheers, madmax

[flyinkiwi]

Jun 10, 2018 19:25:15 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

I remember when this movie was released, but can hardly remember anything of it...other than it featured a Tiger Moth. C-172M ZK-DXO is still with us? I've flown DXI, DXJ, DXN, and DXQ but not that one

DXO was parked up in Hamilton for 10+ years. Bruce says it's now in Tokoroa which would explain why I haven't seen it around but photos online place it in Hamilton as recently as February last year. I flew it in 2001 on my trial flight. I've also flown it's sister DXP which is also Hamilton based (and currently for sale I believe).

[the1redbaron]

Jun 11, 2018 14:46:31 GMT 12 madmax said:

Hi planewriting,

I'm unsure of the status of BCZ these days but do I recall that it was damaged many years back, it and may not have flown since.

I have an idea Bill's other Tiger APM was used in the Solo also, but that was put in the sea by Tony Pratt while performing low level aeros at a Tiger Club fly-in at, I think Te Aroha, in January 1979.

Bill also had another airworthy Tiger at one time, BJO but I don't know what became of it. I've not talked with Bill since I came over for the WRAC 75th anniversary which would have been 14 years ago but sure would like to catch up with him again

Cheers, madmax

[the1redbaron]

BCZ was used in the movie owned and flown by Bill Dittmer and is still in airworthy condition at Hood aerodrome. APM is currently being rebuilt along with BJO.

[Peter Lewis]

I can confirm that ZK-BCZ is indeed currently complete and active.

At Masterton, 23Feb2019

and again, in the company of ZK-APM, back in the day



and ZK-APM at Paraparaumu in June 1956 while with the Marlborough AC

[aileronroll]

Total fab NZ film! I found a DVD copy in the Warehouse bargain bin a few years back! A very good two dollar investment!

[johnnurse]

I flew Bill Ditmers Tiger Moth for the film solo. I also did video camera work along side the filming to use as a means of seeing the performances before the film was processed. I did fly some difficult aerobatics but they weren't used in the film. It was a great experience for Bill and myself. Bill and I flew flew on many adventures, great times. I hope Bill is still flying.