Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020
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Mayday – project needs help Project to replicate Percy Fisher’s historic monoplane in need of funds
Percy Fisher’s achievement is acknowledged with a commemorative plaque and a half-size model of his monoplane, located on Gladstone Rd near Carterton. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
Lisa Urbani A shortage of parts has threatened the completion of an ambitious project to recreate the first plane to take controlled and sustained flight in New Zealand But Masterton’s Dr John Hill, a retired engineer, is persevering, despite some challenges. In June 1913, at Hurunuio-rangi, near Carterton, Percy Fisher’s first New Zealand-designed and built monoplane, attempted to take flight. Piloted by Reggie White, the plane managed about 800 metres of controlled sustained flight, with a take-off distance of about 27 meters. It travelled at more than 60kmh when airborne. A three-minute compilation was captured by filmmaker, Charlie Barton, and as fate would have it, he worked with Lee Hill, John’s father. Fascinated by flying as a youngster, and having worked in the aeronautics industry, John became interested in replicating the monoplane built by Percy Fisher. A lack of drawings made
Dr John G Hill in his shed with the plane’s fuselage [main body] holding one of the turnbuckles. PHOTO/ELI HILL
the project a real challenge, but with his background and experience in building planes, and the photographs available, Hill has been able to spend the last two years, faithfully recreating the fullsize original in his Masterton shed. A shortage of expensive turnbuckles which help to maintain the rigidity of the plane, has halted the project, while he seeks the funds to finish it, and fellow Wairarapa Aero Club member and local engineer Kevin Ormond has generously helped, and also set up a Givealittle page to raise money. Continued on page3
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