Anoverhauled aircraft from World War Twobrought back nostalgic feelingsto onlookers as it took off for the skies as part of its first test flight. The renovated Tiger Moth took off from the Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster where many stood and watched with admiration.
The aircraft underwent a two year period of complete renovation and was brought back to its original state. The renovation process took place at Aerospace NDT Ltd based in Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster Sheffield.Tiger Moth was assembled in 1941 by Morris Motors Limited, a British motor vehicle company in Cowley.
The plane spent about two years at Aerospace NDT Ltd factory in Robin Hood Airport where it underwent complete overhaul and restoration to its original RAF specification.
There were a number of spectators present at the airport to witness the plane make its first test flight as it was flown by Richard Flanagan, a flight coach and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assessor. Flanagan has over 30 years’ experience of flying Tiger Moths. The plane took off from Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster and made a trip to Treswell, a village in north Nottinghamshire.
After owning the aircraft for about 5 years, David Firth was very excited to see it fly again. Speaking about his plan for the plan, he said he was happy to see the first test flight was successful and hope subsequent ones will go the same way. He said if it keeps on with the good performance, they’ll be able to apply for a permit to fly it.
He went on to thank everyone that made the day possible such as the Doncaster Sheffield Airport team, as well as the onlookers who he said were jumping around with excitement as they witness the plane take off, The Star reports.
Speaking about the feelings seeing the Tiger Moth fly evoked, Chris Harcombe, who is the head of aviation development at Doncaster Sheffield Airport said they were very happy to have taken part in the first test flight. He also said they were very proud to see it make its maiden flight at Robin Hood Airport after renovation.
Almost all the basic training exercises that were given to pilots by the RAF from the 1930s were carried out using the Tiger Moth. A majority of the RAF planes were sold to civilians after World War Two. They were used as civilian trainers, while some of them were used by farmers for spraying their crops. Others were used for transporting passengers.