Post by camtech on May 5, 2009 10:18:01 GMT 12
Again, finally got round to post this
DH.60G Gipsy Moth c/n 870
This is the third in a series of' articles prepared from aircraft log books held by the Walsh Memorial Aviation Library.
The subject of this article is DH.60G Gipsy Moth constructor's number 870, one of four purchased as an initial order. Built by de Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. (at Stag Lane), 870 conformed in all respects to the prototype G-EBWY except for metal slots, split axle undercarriage and a small rudder. 870's first flight, from Stag Lane, lasted 35 minutes on 7 December 1928, with J E Tyler at the controls. The final inspection was carried out on 11 December when the aircraft was certified as being constructed in accordance with Air Ministry contract. 838839/28. Following this, the aircraft was dismantled, crated and shipped to New Zealand.
The aircraft was unpacked and inspected at Wigram on 16 March 1929. After assembly, 870 made her first New Zealand flight on 21 March, being flown on this occasion by Captain Findlay. Familiarisation flights by Captains Findlay arid Burrell occupied the aircraft until the first dual flight on 8 May.
Until October 29, the aircraft was used for dual instruction, photographic missions army and navy co-operation and tent flights. On 2 October the port lower mainplane was removed and replaced by an item from Moth 8'72.
With a total of 65 hours 45 minutes in the air, 870 was transferred on temporary loan to the Canterbury Aero Club on 29 October 1929. Her first flight with that club took place on the same day with Captain Mercer at the controls. Dual instruction commenced the following day.
Captain Mercer, with Miss Clifford as a passenger flew 8'70 to Wellington on 15 November for a pageant the following day, returning on the 18th. Sir Francis Boys was a passenger from Ashburton to Christchurch five days later and on 17 December flew (with Captain Mercer) to Waianakarua, Dunedin Coldstream. During this day's flying, a forced landing was made and dirt was cleaned out of the petrol cook before continuing. Captain Mercer flew from Coldstream to Sockburn the following day.
870 was returned to the Air Force on 31 January 1930 with a total of 166 hours and 10 minutes on the clock. Back with her original owners, 8'70 continued with training flights until 17 February, when Squadron Leader Isitt flew the aircraft to Rongotai, en route to her new home at Hobsonville where she arrived the following day after a stop in Hawera..
From Hobsonville, 870 began a life which involved more travelling - trips to Rotorua, Tauranga, Hastings and Gisborne feature in the log. Duties included photography, artillery observation, w/t exercises and dual instruction.
On 8 July 1930, identification marks were painted on underside of the lower mainplanes. Between 29 September and 5 October 1930 the airframe was overhauled at Hobsonville, having completed 289 hours of flying.
An entry dated 7-9 October 1930 for various repairs bears the signature W S Dini, LAC.
No 1 Squadron used the aircraft 22-24 November 1930.
870's engine was removed 11 May 1931 and an engine ex Moth 871 fitted.
Floats were fitted to 870 on 8 June 1931 and the aircraft transferred to the seaplane hangar, the aircraft reverting to wheels on 27 July 1931. September 8th saw Air Wheels fitted for a trial - being removed the following day.
Floats were again fitted early November 1931 but no mention is made of their removal.
The aircraft was withdrawn from service on 17 June 1932 for a complete overhaul. During the reassembly a note is made of the fuselage being painted white. After the float undercarriage was fitted the aircraft was test flown on 14 November 1932 and returned to service.
New floats were fitted on 7 March 1933 to allow for an all up weight of 1540 lb.
The aircraft reverted to land undercarriage on 12 May, restored to floats on 9 August until 8 October. This on and off procedure occurred frequently throughout the aircraft's life.
870 continued to be engaged in routine duties until her next major overhaul of 1-31 March 1936. In the latter part of May 1936, Vildebeeste navigation lights were fitted and 870 began night flying exercises on 28 May with Squadron Leader Isitt at the controls. Routine flights again continued until 1 August 1937 when the aircraft was engaged on a "search for late aircraft - Smellie" - this was the sole role of 870 until 18 August. (Can anyone explain this search - LB). The Gypsy I engine was removed in early November 1937 and replaced by a Gypsy II engine.
The last entry in the log book is dated 29 July 1938 and shows a total of 1325 hours 35 minutes flying time.
However, from the engine log book of Gypsy II engine No.2296, we learn that Moth 870 was extensively damaged on landing 27 January 1939. The aircraft was based at Hobsonville at the time but no other details appear in the log book.
DH.60G Gipsy Moth c/n 870
This is the third in a series of' articles prepared from aircraft log books held by the Walsh Memorial Aviation Library.
The subject of this article is DH.60G Gipsy Moth constructor's number 870, one of four purchased as an initial order. Built by de Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. (at Stag Lane), 870 conformed in all respects to the prototype G-EBWY except for metal slots, split axle undercarriage and a small rudder. 870's first flight, from Stag Lane, lasted 35 minutes on 7 December 1928, with J E Tyler at the controls. The final inspection was carried out on 11 December when the aircraft was certified as being constructed in accordance with Air Ministry contract. 838839/28. Following this, the aircraft was dismantled, crated and shipped to New Zealand.
The aircraft was unpacked and inspected at Wigram on 16 March 1929. After assembly, 870 made her first New Zealand flight on 21 March, being flown on this occasion by Captain Findlay. Familiarisation flights by Captains Findlay arid Burrell occupied the aircraft until the first dual flight on 8 May.
Until October 29, the aircraft was used for dual instruction, photographic missions army and navy co-operation and tent flights. On 2 October the port lower mainplane was removed and replaced by an item from Moth 8'72.
With a total of 65 hours 45 minutes in the air, 870 was transferred on temporary loan to the Canterbury Aero Club on 29 October 1929. Her first flight with that club took place on the same day with Captain Mercer at the controls. Dual instruction commenced the following day.
Captain Mercer, with Miss Clifford as a passenger flew 8'70 to Wellington on 15 November for a pageant the following day, returning on the 18th. Sir Francis Boys was a passenger from Ashburton to Christchurch five days later and on 17 December flew (with Captain Mercer) to Waianakarua, Dunedin Coldstream. During this day's flying, a forced landing was made and dirt was cleaned out of the petrol cook before continuing. Captain Mercer flew from Coldstream to Sockburn the following day.
870 was returned to the Air Force on 31 January 1930 with a total of 166 hours and 10 minutes on the clock. Back with her original owners, 8'70 continued with training flights until 17 February, when Squadron Leader Isitt flew the aircraft to Rongotai, en route to her new home at Hobsonville where she arrived the following day after a stop in Hawera..
From Hobsonville, 870 began a life which involved more travelling - trips to Rotorua, Tauranga, Hastings and Gisborne feature in the log. Duties included photography, artillery observation, w/t exercises and dual instruction.
On 8 July 1930, identification marks were painted on underside of the lower mainplanes. Between 29 September and 5 October 1930 the airframe was overhauled at Hobsonville, having completed 289 hours of flying.
An entry dated 7-9 October 1930 for various repairs bears the signature W S Dini, LAC.
No 1 Squadron used the aircraft 22-24 November 1930.
870's engine was removed 11 May 1931 and an engine ex Moth 871 fitted.
Floats were fitted to 870 on 8 June 1931 and the aircraft transferred to the seaplane hangar, the aircraft reverting to wheels on 27 July 1931. September 8th saw Air Wheels fitted for a trial - being removed the following day.
Floats were again fitted early November 1931 but no mention is made of their removal.
The aircraft was withdrawn from service on 17 June 1932 for a complete overhaul. During the reassembly a note is made of the fuselage being painted white. After the float undercarriage was fitted the aircraft was test flown on 14 November 1932 and returned to service.
New floats were fitted on 7 March 1933 to allow for an all up weight of 1540 lb.
The aircraft reverted to land undercarriage on 12 May, restored to floats on 9 August until 8 October. This on and off procedure occurred frequently throughout the aircraft's life.
870 continued to be engaged in routine duties until her next major overhaul of 1-31 March 1936. In the latter part of May 1936, Vildebeeste navigation lights were fitted and 870 began night flying exercises on 28 May with Squadron Leader Isitt at the controls. Routine flights again continued until 1 August 1937 when the aircraft was engaged on a "search for late aircraft - Smellie" - this was the sole role of 870 until 18 August. (Can anyone explain this search - LB). The Gypsy I engine was removed in early November 1937 and replaced by a Gypsy II engine.
The last entry in the log book is dated 29 July 1938 and shows a total of 1325 hours 35 minutes flying time.
However, from the engine log book of Gypsy II engine No.2296, we learn that Moth 870 was extensively damaged on landing 27 January 1939. The aircraft was based at Hobsonville at the time but no other details appear in the log book.
