Stearman crash in NZ, pilot ok

I think a flying Stearman value is around NZ$150-200K.

I would love a go in one, but don’t know where they joy-ride them anymore

TNZ.

Hmm, sounds pretty extensively damaged. A pity.

Does anyone know what a Stearman in flying condition would be worth in $NZ? I wonder if he’ll repair it or buy a new one.

form the NZ Herald website:

“…….He had been practising take-offs and landings in his vintage Boeing Stearman biplane at the Bridge Pa Aerodrome near Hastings for about 40 minutes yesterday morning when trouble struck.

As Holmes started another ascent the aircraft apparently drifted sideways, clipped a wire fence and cartwheeled over the corner of a vineyard, collapsing in a clearing.

The broadcaster was shaken but unhurt.

The damage to the vintage plane was quite extensive, with both wings and the fuselage affected. It had been taken to the maintenance facility for repairs.
Senior Sergeant Mike O’Leary of Hastings said Holmes told police a gust of wind caught the aircraft and he clipped a grapevine

The accident happened two weeks short of a year ago after he crash-landed the same aircraft on Ngamatea Station, about 60km from Hastings.
In that incident, Holmes circled several times before making what appeared to be an emergency landing. The plane clipped a fence and skidded down an incline before coming to rest against another fence.”

So it doesn’t ook like the Stearman will be up and running for a while 🙁

TNZ

Dave,
I flew Stearman PT 17 or 19 at Primary school

That makes you aged between about 5 and 7 in the UK. You did start young!! 😀

….anway, more importantly, what’s the condition of the Stearman ?

Is it the same all red one he’s had all along ?

TNZ

I’m with DaveM2 on this one – inappropriate I know, but I seriously can’t stand the guy and can’t help myself 😮

Agreed, as an interviewer and presenter he’s appaulling and extremely annoying, yet for some reason he commands the highest ratings and salary. So wierd that. I will say one thing about the guy, no matter how much i don’t like his style, he does go into bat for the underdogs when they need it, and if it were not for Paul Holmes this country wouldn’t even know we had a highly successful Special Olympics team either. That said, he’s still a bit of a git.

Testament to the strength of the aeroplane – I have known quite a few crash and every pilot has walked away.. Pleased there were no injuries.

I absolutely love my Stearman, I’ve got hundreds of hours in it and others. It demands respect, especially on landing. I wouldn’t say its got a whole lot more power than a tiger – 220hp but it weighs 1500kg, so power to weight it isn’t far different.

I’m with DaveM2 on this one – inappropriate I know, but I seriously can’t stand the guy and can’t help myself 😮

Sounds like he flies with about the same skill as he interviews…

Now, now Dave, I don’t think anyone flies that badly 😀

Thanks Jules. Yes the Stearman has a great reputation. I was talking with a guy here in Cambridge who was a Kiwi that trained in the USA to become a pilot in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. He loved the Stearman, absolutely loved it. After the war his brother bought a Tiger Moth, which is also a much loved trainer, but he said it was nowhere near as good as the Stearman to fly. I guess the Stearman has much more power up front than the Tiger.

I prefer the classic look of the Tiger Moth, and it has an amazing amount of history attached to it too, but the Stearman must be second in the all time best ab initio trainers.

Dave,
I flew Stearman PT 17 or 19 at Primary school when I was an aviation cadet in USAF. I don’t recall hearing of any fatal accidents, but there were many ground loops and other minor damage. It was a great plane

Sounds like he flies with about the same skill as he interviews…ohhh that’s a bit harsh :p
Seriously, glad no one was hurt.

Dave