de Havilland Tiger Moth VH-UVZ rescued by the ‘Pelican’

📷: de Havilland Tiger Moth VH-UVZ rescued by the ‘Pelican’

Temora Aviation Museum; TAM2013.108

Imported into Australia by Airflite Pty Ltd in June 1936 VH-UVZ is Australia’s oldest operational Tiger Moth. Between September 1936 and September 1939 it was involved in six accidents, the most significant of which was a crash into Sydney Harbour.

Accordingly pilots Geoffrey Salter and Alan Woodhill were bidding farewell to their boss aboard the Nieuw Holland Steamer embarking upon a trip to the east. Involved in aerobatics above the ship the machine ‘looped at 800ft., stall turned and flick rolled, finally hitting the water’. Both men survived but not without injury and were rescued by workmen on the Circular Quay railway and the crew of the water bus ‘Pelican’.

In January 1940 Airflite received notification that VH-UIH was to be requisitioned by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) where it served in Empire Air Flying Training Scheme schools among which was 10 Elementary Flying Training School, Temora. On 12 September 1946 the aircraft was disposed of and sold to Australian Associated Aero Clubs. In the early 1990s it was ‘rebuilt’ by RA Windred and re-registered VH-UVZ. In 1999 the aircraft was purchased by David Lowy for Temora Aviation Museum where it remains operational and again in the possession of the RAAF today.

Submitted by Anna Gebels