Does anyone know whether this aircraft still exists or does anyone have any other details of its apparently short life? A photo of it or confirmation of colour scheme would be of great interest.
I remember seeing and photographing it at Redhill one Saturday or Sunday afternoon probably in April/May 1961, when there was a French aero club visit to the Tiger Club going on, but despite having mislaid the picture, from memory the Tiger was newly painted red or orange/cream and had something like ‘England – South Africa’ or ‘London -South Africa’ on the cowling.
The CAA records show that it was previously ex-RAF DE784 and the only registered owner for the UK registration was Rollason Aircraft and Engines Ltd. from 25/4/1961, so I suspect it had probably been flown in from Croydon.
Exactly a month later, another website shows it as having crashed in South Africa and the last known location was with a private owner in Krugersdorp, South Africa.
By 30/5/1962 GINFO has it recorded as being destroyed, so was it on some kind of record attempt or perhaps during the course of its delivery flight prior to being transferred onto the South African register?
Wicked Willip :diablo:
By: Willip26 - 19th November 2010 at 00:05
Great stuff thanks, wieesso and Planemike, for the further information and for being reminded of how G-ARMS looked outside the Tiger Club hangar (with CDC & OAA appearing in the background) in its original 1961 livery, complete with cowling inscription. 😀
Presumably the fact it was rebuilt with that registration instead of ZU-XRF (did it ever fly in those marks?) means there is still some connection with the original owner.
Perhaps he is bringing it back to the UK in May next year on the return flight for the 50th anniversary? Maybe he will also be bringing the funds to finally pay Rollasons if he can find them. :rolleyes:
Wicked Willip :diablo:
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th November 2010 at 13:20
No South African accident report, I am afraid…….. Wonder if there was any AAIB involvement as the a/c would still have been on the British Register?
G-ARMS’s arrival in South Africa is described thus, in Moth magazine No.115… (Spring 2001):-
“” DH82A Tiger Moth G-ARMS was sold by Rollason Aircraft to a customer in South Africa in 1961, and was delivered by air in an attempt to claim a light aeroplane class record, London to Cape Town. Only 300 miles from Cape Town the aeroplane hit trees while low flying at George, probably during a local flying display, and was seriously damaged. The customer refused to pay Rollason Aircraft on the grounds that delivery had not been effected. Provisionally registered ZS-ARM in 1991, the remains of the aeroplane are currently subject to review for prospective restoration to flying condition. “”
Planemike
By: wieesso - 17th November 2010 at 07:22
1961 two weeks before the crash
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1047244F.jpg
and a photo showing the pilot Paget Bellin
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1961%20-%200798.html?search=Capetown
2006 – as a total new rebuilt
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/576/ZU-XRF_Small_.jpg
By: Willip26 - 17th November 2010 at 00:04
Thanks for the information guys, and Newforest I never cease to be amazed how either you or wieesso almost always manage to come up trumps with an answer to the most obscure of queries. 🙂
Also how often one question leads to several others and don’t suppose you or one of our South African members can come up with a copy of the 1961 accident report ?
Nice photo indeed and wonder why it is still wearing the UK registration markings so many years after being written off (hit wires I believe?). I am sure the story of this flight must be a fascinating one and any other details would be greatly appreciated.
Wicked Willip :diablo:
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th November 2010 at 09:01
This Tiger is mentioned, together with a photograph, in the latest edition of The Moth magazine, No 151 Page 15.
Planemike
By: Newforest - 15th November 2010 at 07:42
And here is a photo, very nice! 🙂
By: dh83 - 15th November 2010 at 07:22
G-ARMS
it became ZU-XRF now painted up as G-ARMS/ZU-XRF
dh83
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November 14, 2010 at 11:10 pm