Aircraft [De Havilland DH83C Fox Moth (Replica)]
Maker and role
The de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
Post 1945
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2004.297
Description
Fox Moth airplane, partial replica, DH83. Early 1930s Bi-plane with replica wings. Colours: red, black, orange, silver and white. Centrally positioned cockpit with a forward cabin for up to 4 passengers. There is a double hammock seat facing forward and a single seat facing toward the rear of the aircraft. There is a single De Havilland Gypsy Major engine in front of the cabin. The wings and tail unit are covered with fabric. The wings have double metal struts and cross wires. The rudder is operated by wires. The wires run from the outside of the rudder to mid-fuselage where they connect to the cockpit controls. The cabin has entry doors on both sides of the aircraft. The wishbone undercarriage is fixed by 10 struts. The wings are of wooden construction with tubular bracing. The attachments from the wing to the fuselage are metal. The fuel tank is positioned over the cabin area and between the upper wings. Seating capacity is the pilot and a maximum of 4 passengers. Former registration number ZK-APT, but painted as ZK-AEK with the additional markings of : Royal Mail, Air Travel New Zealand Ltd. Hokitika Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Service. The engine is mounted in the nose of the aircraft. The engine make is D H Gipsy Major, rating 130 HP.
Brief History
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 it was re-presented as ZK-AEK, the iconic Fox Moth owned and operated by Bert Mercer of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd.
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.
Specifications: (ZK-APT):
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
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 it was re-presented as ZK-AEK, the iconic Fox Moth owned and operated by Bert Mercer of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd.
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.
Specifications: (ZK-APT):
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
Media/Materials
Credit Line
The de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited. Post 1945. Aircraft [De Havilland DH83C Fox Moth (Replica)], 2004.297. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Propeller [De Havilland Gipsy]; The de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited; 1955](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/20739/ee50ac2434130543eb8b744c3bff796b2e86020c.jpg)
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