Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft flew again today

Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown
until 1933. It was subsequently stored in the museum in the town of
York in Western Australia for 60 years. Recently ownership passed by
inheritance to the grandson of the original builder. He being a pilot
decided to rescue the old girl, known as the "Silver Centenary", and
have it restored to flying condition.
It is in immaculate condition now with the restoration completed and
this afternoon in the still cool air the grandson took the "Silver
Centenary" for a half hour of flying, its first flight in over 60
years.
1928 to now, 2007 makes the aircraft 79 years old.

Although the Silver Centenary, named because its building coincided
with the Silver Centenary of the towship of York in 1928, looks
somewhat like a Gypsy Moth it in fact predates the Dehavilland designs
and was an original design work of the builder.

Wonderful to see it flying again.
Stealth Pilot

"Stealth Pilot" wrote in message
...

Wonderful to see it flying again.

Love to see some pictures . . .

Rich "Sir Francis Chichester fan" S.

Yep - love to see some pictures when available.
That must have been a very special moment for all concerned.

Graham

--
I'm not a complete idiot - parts of me are missing.


"Rich S." wrote in message
. ..
"Stealth Pilot" wrote in message
...

Wonderful to see it flying again.

Love to see some pictures . . .

Rich "Sir Francis Chichester fan" S.

Stealth Pilot wrote:
Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown
until 1933. It was subsequently stored in the museum in the town of
York in Western Australia for 60 years. Recently ownership passed by
inheritance to the grandson of the original builder. He being a pilot
decided to rescue the old girl, known as the "Silver Centenary", and
have it restored to flying condition.
It is in immaculate condition now with the restoration completed and
this afternoon in the still cool air the grandson took the "Silver
Centenary" for a half hour of flying, its first flight in over 60
years.
1928 to now, 2007 makes the aircraft 79 years old.

Although the Silver Centenary, named because its building coincided
with the Silver Centenary of the towship of York in 1928, looks
somewhat like a Gypsy Moth it in fact predates the Dehavilland designs
and was an original design work of the builder.

Wonderful to see it flying again.
Stealth Pilot

===
Great to hear that the old girl is flying again.
I've gazed long and earnestly at her at the York Aviation Museum.
As I recall, the placard states that the builder had never seen a de
Havilland in the metal (wood) but based some of his ideas on
photographs. Wasn't it built from chalk marks drawn on the power house
floor?

I don't think it actually pre-dates de Havillands.

JW²
===

Will head out there in the next few days and take a few snaps..

Yagu
"jw²" wrote in message
...
Stealth Pilot wrote:
Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown
until 1933. It was subsequently stored in the museum in the town of
York in Western Australia for 60 years. Recently ownership passed by
inheritance to the grandson of the original builder. He being a pilot
decided to rescue the old girl, known as the "Silver Centenary", and
have it restored to flying condition.
It is in immaculate condition now with the restoration completed and
this afternoon in the still cool air the grandson took the "Silver
Centenary" for a half hour of flying, its first flight in over 60
years.
1928 to now, 2007 makes the aircraft 79 years old.

Although the Silver Centenary, named because its building coincided
with the Silver Centenary of the towship of York in 1928, looks
somewhat like a Gypsy Moth it in fact predates the Dehavilland designs
and was an original design work of the builder.

Wonderful to see it flying again.
Stealth Pilot

===
Great to hear that the old girl is flying again.
I've gazed long and earnestly at her at the York Aviation Museum.
As I recall, the placard states that the builder had never seen a de
Havilland in the metal (wood) but based some of his ideas on photographs.
Wasn't it built from chalk marks drawn on the power house floor?

I don't think it actually pre-dates de Havillands.

JW²
===

Great to hear. Found this article on it ...

http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Silver%20Centenary.htm

Were they finally able to register the aircraft?

"Stealth Pilot" wrote in message
...

Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown
until 1933. It was subsequently stored in the museum in the town of
York in Western Australia for 60 years. Recently ownership passed by
inheritance to the grandson of the original builder. He being a pilot
decided to rescue the old girl, known as the "Silver Centenary", and
have it restored to flying condition.
It is in immaculate condition now with the restoration completed and
this afternoon in the still cool air the grandson took the "Silver
Centenary" for a half hour of flying, its first flight in over 60
years.
1928 to now, 2007 makes the aircraft 79 years old.

Although the Silver Centenary, named because its building coincided
with the Silver Centenary of the towship of York in 1928, looks
somewhat like a Gypsy Moth it in fact predates the Dehavilland designs
and was an original design work of the builder.

Wonderful to see it flying again.
Stealth Pilot

On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:49:53 +0800, "Yagu" wrote:

Will head out there in the next few days and take a few snaps..

Yagu
"jw²" wrote in message
u...
Stealth Pilot wrote:
Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown

head out where mate?
it is not at york museum any more.
Stealth Pilot

On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:23:39 GMT, "WestCDA"
wrote:

Great to hear. Found this article on it ...

http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Silver%20Centenary.htm

Were they finally able to register the aircraft?


yes. casa did it's traditional little wank act in initially refusing
to register the aircraft on some semantic technicality.
(god these people are perennially stupid....)

anyway that was amended/overruled and the aircraft is now VH-USC
it was originally painted with an incomplete G registration, then when
australia started issuing letters it was painted VH-U in anticipation
of two more letters, but never got any.
when the boy was looking for suitable registration letters it happened
that VH-USC was available.
U because it was the first registration prefix
and SC for Silver Centenary.
It is an experimental in the original builder's name.

Stealth Pilot

just as well I didn't head out! too bloody wet to go anywhere on the ground!
thanks Stealthgrins
Yagu
"Stealth Pilot" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:49:53 +0800, "Yagu" wrote:

Will head out there in the next few days and take a few snaps..

Yagu
"jw²" wrote in message
. au...
Stealth Pilot wrote:
Australia's oldest homebuilt aircraft was built in 1928 and flown

head out where mate?
it is not at york museum any more.
Stealth Pilot