VWoC Fox Moth

Willip, do you still have the translation from French of the article on John Lewery? I regret to say that I didn’t keep a copy – either in the original French or the English translation – that I might post here.

John Lewery

From 1963 to 1990 G-AOJH wbognor as owned by the late John Lewery. I wonder if willip26 could be persuaded to relate here John Lewery’s fascinating history?

I would if I could remember but the old memory is hazy these days.

I am sure the local Evening Argus newspaper did a feature on him and seem to recall he did an article for Flypast or one of the other aviation magazines relating how he was shot down during the war.

In his later years I got to know him quite well and flew with him on occasions
in his Tri Pacer G-AWLI, including to one of the LEC fly-ins at Bognor Regis.

I was also fortunate enough to fly in both OJH and CEJ, the former from Squires Gate and around the tower at Blackpool and the latter with the Tiger Club’s Stan Bosley during one of the early series of PFA rallies at Sywell.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

We are still looking for parts for the two that we are rebuilding hear in the UK.

G-ABWD and G-CGUO. 😉

Vic Spencer MBE obituary is on the net, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1506203/Captain-Vic-Spencer.html
It makes very interesting reading. Though it should say Fox Moth rather than Gypsy Moth.

Dave

I’d forgotten Vic had done that, Dave! Amazing flying career…. not sure how much of the story has been told, but it should be!

Chris

The late Vic Spencer one of the old Russavia pilots use to fly the Fox Moth of the sands at Southport. He use to say if the wheels stopped turning in flight. They where told the passenger flights where to long. He quiet often flew with a dog.

Dave

Fox Moths

RPS. I can’t give a specific date re CB but it was possibly 1956.
The aircraft stalled but the passengers, all male, escaped without serious injury
although one allegedly lost his hat !
The other pic is taken on Birkdale Sands aerodrome which is at Southport. The building in the background is the Palace Hotel in Birkdale (now demolished).

Mally.

No idea, sorry.

Hopefully Mally will be along before too long with more information.

Moggy

Don’t think I’ve seen that pic of ‘CCB before – any idea of a date Moggy? I wonder if it was the crash (I understood into the water) that ended it’s flying days.

Although it is on very long-term rebuild in deepest Warwickshire.

Roger Smith.

I can add this shot of Echo Juliet which I am convinced was taken on the beach at Ainsdale or Birkdale

and this one of Charlie Bravo come to grief

Images posted on behalf of Mally

Moggy

Of course I will be at Woburn.—-(silly boy,-,silly question).

Fantastic news!

I take it then that your ‘restoration to flight’ is proving a success!!

A most helpful gentleman – well done Sir.

Of course I will be at Woburn.—-(silly boy,-,silly question). Can sort the brackets for you . Have a spare tailwheel outer casing/mount but no fork rubbers. Has the same wheel as the Chippie.

The Fox in question, with something of a dual identity crisis. Shortly after its first post-restoration flight, at Ardmore 1993

Lower C/S strut brackets and a tail wheel mounting assy for a 83C. Will you be at the Abbey this year? 😉

What do you need? 83A? I am aware of 83 and 83C but not an A. Can you elucidate?

There’s five on the G register, including dear old JH, looks like about two of them are currently flyable.

Moggy

Still looking for parts for our two, one 83 and one 83A

( Come on Stan, what spares have you got for trade? ) 😉

Real Gentlemen’s aerial carriages these….had a lovely trip in Stuart Beaty’s G-ACEJ last year, super machine

TT

Hi Dave… here’s another one with you flying the Fox Moth … it’s such a pretty aeroplane and you flew it so smoothly!

Cheers,
Richard

Thanks for the update Dave
Hope we have the opportunity to see the Fox Moth in the air during the year. A nice, low pass over Rockland on your way into Gatineau would about do it for me.

Regards
Bill