Aircraft Between The Wars »

de havilland DH.60 Gipsy Moth in New Zealand

The private flying movement in British Commonwealth countries was largely built on the reliability, price and ease of operation of the de Havilland DH.60 Moth which first flew in 1925. Relatively few of these machines remain throughout the world.


ZK-ADT preparing to takeoff for a short flight at Taumarunui Airfield.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

Built in 1929, this aircraft, ZK-ADT (then registered as G-AAJO) flew extensively throughout Europe, North Africa, and out to Rangoon (Burma) and back. She was purchased in 1934 by Stan White who flew her from London to Sydney, and then shipped her to Auckland. The final leg of the journey was the flight from Auckland to Stan's home base at Bridge Pa in Hastings. The entire trip took six weeks, with 160 hours of flying time, and this doubled the number of solo hours Stan had flown.

The aircraft was impressed by the NZ Government when war broke out in 1939, and while she was never used as a military trainer, she was enjoyed by several new owners. She was eventually bought by Lee Middleton who then began a complete ground up rebuild of the aircraft—a process which took over 30 years and which was eventually completed circa 2005.

Now proudly owned and operated by Jerry and Jan Chisum, ADT is once again 'back in the family' as Jan, who's a keen de Havilland pilot in her own right, is Stan's daughter, and the aircraft is still based at Bridge Pa Aerodrome.

Engine: An original de Havilland 120 h.p Gipsy II engine

Performance: Max speed 164 km/h ; Cruise 137 km/h ; Range 515 km ; Ceiling 4,420m

Dimensions: Wingspan: 9.14 ; length 7.29m ; height 2.68m

de Havilland DH.60 Gipsy Moth ZK-ADT is co-owned by Jan White and Jerry Chisum, and is seen here taxying and taking off at Bridge Pa Aerodrome, Hastings, New Zealand.

There's nothing like riding in an open cockpit biplane, and it's even better when you can spin the view around as in this fully immersive 360° video below -- enjoy the takeoff from Taumarunui Airfield in the central North Island of New Zealand.

It's even better if you can view this video with a VR headset.

360° In Cockpit : Choose your own view in this video from the open cockpit of a wonderful de Havilland DH.60 Gipsy Moth biplane owned by Jan Chisum in New Zealand. NOTE: If you're viewing this YouTube 360° video on iOS or Android it may not display correctly. Check it out in a Desktop web browser or watch it in the YouTube app on your mobile device.


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