Taupo Gliding Club, New Zealand, 16-17th March 2024
Report by Peter and Kim Davison
The Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand aims to nurture an interest in flying and sharing the magic and history of classic and vintage aircraft; particularly the de Havilland Tiger Moth.
A dedicated group of like-minded enthusiasts formed the club at Taumarunui in 1969 and their common interests have grown to include types such as Chipmunks and Stearmans though, on this occasion, it was the DH82 Tiger Moth that dominated. The Sunday at Taupo on North Island also included the Clubs AGM. Fortunately fine weather blessed the calendar after two very wet days in the area.
The Club also has strong affiliations with the Moth Club in the U.K. and can offer technical support to members. Most of the flying took place on Saturday but, once the AGM was over on Sunday there was a rush to depart and take advantage of the pleasant weather.
There are two regular annual gatherings – the ‘season starter’ at Taumarunui in October and in the summer, the AGM Rally is held at a different grass airfield each year. Competitions are held at both events which help build skill levels plus specialised instruction is available .
Of particular interest in Taupo was the presence of a DH60 Moth and a Thruxton Jackaroo twin seat adaptation developed in the U.K. in extremely small numbers compared to the standard Tiger. The DH60 had flown solo London to Sydney in 1934 by Stan White, a flight of over 13,000 miles.
A non de Havilland visitor was this Cessna O-1 Bird Dog that formerly served with the Vietnamese Air Force before moving south. Naturally, since the airstrip is home to the Taupo Gliding Club the resident Piper Pawnee was in use towing based gliders into the rising thermals of this picturesque region.
