de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth c/n 1147

Registrations carried: ZS-ABM For detailed history click here and refer to the c/n in the list.

Painting of de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth c/n 1147 ZS-ABM by Alan Hindle circa 1960 The painting hangs in the clubhouse of the JLPC at Baragwanath (Syferfontein) Photograph: Noel Otten

A HARD-WORKED "MOTH" The following letter, received by the Managing Director of the de Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., is enlightening as to the work being done by aircraft made by them in the hands of the Johannesburg Light Plane Club:- A WONDERFUL VETERAN. You will, no doubt, be interested in the figures given below, which are taken from the log books of one of our machines. This plane, a "Gipsy I Moth" (ZS-ABM), was graciously presented to our club by that great English sportsman, Lord Wakefield of Hythe. The actual presentation ceremony was conducted by His Excellency the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., on behalf of Sir Charles Wakefield (as he was then), at an Air Display given here by the South African Air Force on October 19, 1929. It was christened " Sir Charles Wakefield," and has been affectionately known as " Sir Charles " ever since, even to our native servants, who always refer to it as "Shir Shals.” "Sir Charles" was given in trust to us to be of service in promoting air-mindedness in South Africa, and I think you will agree that she has - here are her records:-   1929 1930 1931 1932 January - 72 55 92 20 62 15 February - 81 30 101 30 46 00 March - 74 45 83 00 76 55 April - 63 20 72 20 42 10 May - 58 15 101 20 64 05 June - 56 20 81 25 59 50 July - 70 25 63 45 41 15 August - 79 05 82 20 - September - 36 35 80 30 - October 26 15 81 30 36 10 - November 65 10 64 50 87 40 - December 80 15 55 00 25 10 - Total 171.4 794.3 901.3 392.3 = 2,260.10 hr. (33 months) Therefore, based on an average speed of 75 m.p.h., she must have flown at least 169,500 miles, but that does not by any means represent the real value of her achievements. She has soared aloft at the tender mercies of ab initio soloists galore - later to be guided by them to all corners of this great sub-continent. She has flipped almost everything from pigmies in perambulators to plutocratic peers, including parsons, philanthropists, pathologists and "iced prawns." She can only be described as a wonderful veteran, and I would be interested to know if any other club can claim such a record for one machine - I doubt it. Her maintenance costs have been absurdly low, and I think it speaks volumes for D.H. products. (Sgd.) S. S. HALSE (Club Captain).