De Havilland DH 83C Fox Moth (Replica)

ZK-APT (painted as ZK-AEK)

This Fox Moth has been restored by MOTAT volunteers using the fuselage from Fox Moth ZK-APT and other parts. ZK-APT was operated by the Marlborough Aero Club. However during the restoration MOTAT volunteers chose to use it to represent the iconic Fox Moth owned and operated by Bert Mercer of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd, ZK-AEK.

 MOTAT’s Fox Moth ZK-APT at the Marlborough Aero Club in 1947.

Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

ZK-APT was built after World War II (1939-45) in Canada and imported in 1947 by the Marlborough Aero Club. In that role it would have carried out charter flights and joy-rides. It was used to carry cherries to North Island markets in 1948 and in the early 1950s was used by the Aero Club to take whooping cough sufferers into the air. It was believed that the altitude lessened the pressure in the ears and it seemed to be a reliable cure.

In the colours of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd the aircraft represents the Fox Moth ZK-AEK. Air Travel was New Zealand’s first licensed airline, flying their first scheduled flight in 1934. They initially provided a service between Haast and Hokitika on the West Coast, and later expanded routes to Nelson. They carried anything and anyone and the West Coast locals flew regularly as it was faster than travelling by car or horseback. West Coasters became the most ‘air-minded’ New Zealanders before the War.

ZK-AEK and Bert Mercer with children at Bruce Bay in 1935. Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

Specifications:

Date: 1947

Manufacturer: De Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd, Toronta, Canada

Type: Light airliner and air taxi

Wing span: 9.41 m (30 ft 10 5/8 in)

Length: 7.85 m (25 ft 9 in)

Engine: One 130HP Gipsy Major in-line engine

Accommodation: Pilot in open cockpit and 4 passengers

Replicating a De Havilland DH 83C Fox Moth

This replica aircraft has been made using parts from Fox Moth ZK-APT and has been painted to represent famous Fox Moth ZK-AEK. Starting out with a bare fuselage, most of the remaining parts of the aircraft have been made by hand by MOTAT volunteers. A team of MOTAT volunteers worked on the Fox Moth from June 2000 until May 2001, a total of 2573 hours.

As the original aircraft was built in 1947 it was impossible to obtain original parts. The MOTAT volunteers, some of whom had worked with similar aircraft during their own engineering careers, set out to make the missing parts themselves. They asked for help from their contacts in the aviation community and were given a great amount of assistance in the form of parts and drawings. Some parts were used directly in the aircraft and others were used to make new parts.

The original fuselage which was the main part of the aircraft that MOTAT volunteers had to work with. Walsh Memorial Library collection, MOTAT.

The Fox Moth has folding wings, so that the aircraft can be stored without taking up much space. It is a biplane, so there are actually four wings. Three new wings were made from parts and one was donated whole. The passenger cabin was re-lined with vinyl on plywood and the seat reupholstered. A fuel tank, instrument panels and flight controls were all made by the volunteers. The aircraft was covered in modern fabric called Ceconite and painted in the colours of Bert Mercer’s airline Air Travel.

One of the wings in progress. Walsh Memorial Library collection, MOTAT.

Photographs like this were used to recreate the interior of the aircraft.

Photo from David Hope-Cross. Walsh Memorial Library collection, MOTAT.

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