Hi All, I don't know if I'd ever mentioned the Tiger Moth that I owned until a few years back. (I now have something a little less exotic, but a lot warmer.) The aircraft had an interesting history so I thought I'd share it with you. To the best of my knowledge, it was built at Hatfield, U.K, as part of the original order 0I758 that saw the British Air Ministry deliver 100 Tiger Moths to the RAAF. Arriving at RAAF Richmond in February 1940, it subsequently served with a variety EFTS units throughout the war, maintaining its British markings of N9257 throughout. “De-mobbed” at Cunderdin, W.A. in 1947, it began its’ civilian life under the markings VH-AKN, passing from private hands to an “air-ag” operation in April 1955. As was the way, the front cockpit was gutted and replaced with a hopper for spraying. This commercial chapter of 82358 was to be short-lived, crashing at Midland Junction, W.A. on June 13th 1955. Here's a snap circa 2003. View attachment 1278 Another favourite of mine. Dusk at Caboolture, Queensland. View attachment 1279 Cheers Owen
I'll look into the local papaer sto see what I can find about the crash, Owen. Cool that she ended up at Cunderdin. Love the rego. Who did the resto? Looks Challinor quality.
Hi Andy, It's actually the work of Ray Windred at Luskintyre, NSW. (Though the Challinor's are a very highly respected crew as well.) I wrote an article called a 'Tiger's Tale' about the machine that I'll post if I can dig it up. (Unless my pre-published stories are clogging up the forum??) Cheers Owen
Not at all, Owen (he says ducking in case Lee is around!). Ray Windred. There's a name I haven't heard for a while. I take it he's still churning them out?
One day I intend to go up in a Moth. Just so romantic. Thanks for the info, it's always nice to know more about one more survivor. Post away Owen, we appreciate all the great stuff you share with us.
Hi again all, Rather than clog the WWII 'War in the Air' Forum, I'll post the story under a new heading and forum. And Andy, yes, Ray is still churning them out. Cheers Owen
Kyt, If you were here in Australia, I try to line a flight up for you. And around Queensland you don't even need a scarf! A golf shirt and a pair of shorts will do it. Cheers Owen
