Early Own-Design(?) NZ Homebuild

[Dave Homewood]

I came across this in the New Zealand Herald, dated 12th of July 1933. I am not sure if this was designed by Cross himself or is it based on an overseas plan? It looks a little like a Pietenpol but smaller.

PILOT'S FORTUNATE ESCAPE IN WRECK OF HOME – MADE SOUTH ISLAND AEROPLANE
Mr. David Cross, aged 23, in the aeroplane constructed by himself in which he crashed from a height of 300 ft. near Gore on Monday. Mr Cross was injured and the machine was wrecked.



Does anyone know more about this aeroplane?

[madmax]

Yes Dave, the Ladybird was designed and built by David Cross

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks. I am guessing it only had that one flight?

[AussieBob]

A Stuff article on Ladybird and Cross, 17 Jul 2019
www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/features/114293067/the-flight-of-the-ladybird

Southland's oldest existing homemade aircraft is the Ladybird, built by Dave Cross of Chatton.

On 24 May 1933 the ODT reported, "Some months ago it was hoped to take the machine into the air, but the engine with which it was then equipped – a four-cylinder motor cycle engine – was not sufficiently powerful to lift the plane and the young aviator finally obtained an old engine imported from England by Mr Pither of Invercargill some 22 years ago for aviation purposes.

"This was overhauled and found to be in good order and after some alterations it was installed in the machine.

"Much study and energy had been devoted to the construction of a small monoplane at Chatton, Eastern Southland, when a very proud young man named David Cecil Cross, made his first successful trial flights in the machine.

"In the presence of about 20 onlookers the monoplane was taken out on Sunday morning and the young man took his place at the controls.

"The machine took off beautifully, crossed the Washpool Creek and a row of tall poplar trees, reached an altitude of 200 feet and made a good landing. The return journey was commenced a few minutes later and would have been equally successful had not one of the wheels struck a log of wood which was almost hidden in the ground.
"A wheel was torn off and a certain amount of damage was done to the undercarriage, but the pilot was uninjured. Naturally the young man was very proud of his achievement, although the slight mishap at the end of the trial was a disappointment to him. The monoplane has a wing span of 29 feet and on account of its graceful lines has been called the Ladybird. Despite its age, the engine now installed is in excellent order."

He made several flights including one of 14km and he was the first man to be prosecuted in New Zealand for flying without a licence.

The Ladybird crashed in a turnip paddock and the remains are in the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre at Mandeville.

[Dave Homewood]

Oh wow, thanks Bob.

[Peter Lewis]

My notes:
Cross monoplane - 'The Ladybird'
David Cecil Cross, Chatton, Southland
Monoplane designed & built by Cross. F/f21May33 with ex-Pither 40hp JAP engine. Span 29ft. Approx 6 flights before crash.
DBR in landing in turnip field Otamita, Southland, 10Jul33. Pilot Cross. Remains to Croydon 2012.

Display at Mandeville 23Oct2013:

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter!