Canadian Museum of Flight Tiger Moth Special Addition September 1999
WE DID IT! C-GMFT TAKES FLIGHT
Congratulations to all – to all of us. A “Flying” restoration, the first flying restoration ever completed by the Canadian Museum of Flight. In this special newsletter, you will hear from others regarding the donations of time, money, and the upsurge of enthusiasm this project has created. However, some members oppose rebuilding projects being accessible to the public, and oppose exhibiting flying aircraft at air shows and flying.
Before deciding, come and look at our Guest Book and read the comments about our exhibits and how much visitors enjoy being able to see the projects and talk to staff. The presence of 2 or 3 aircraft on display at air shows broadens our visibility and does not lesson the impact of our static displays.
The completion of the Tiger Moth taught us many things about funding, sourcing parts and volunteers.
Let’s maintain the momentum – CCW is next!
Written by: Gogi Goguillot, General Manager
THE TIGER MOTH STORY PHOENIX PROJECT 1983-1999
The Tiger Moth project was started in early 1983 by CMFT with the supervision of Harry Fordham, Bill McGarrigle, Gordon Peters, and Ted Harris. They used their experience to direct 12 A.M.E. apprentices that had been layed off at PWA & CPA, the Moth was completed but never had an airworthiness certificate.
Due to long term outside storage the airframe needed rebuilding again; so in 1997 Ted Harris (Deceased) and Inky Klett stripped the fabric off and started the rebuild a second time. By the early part of 1999 the airframe was again ready for cover and then someone said “why not have it ready for the Abbotsford Air Show” so I said NO WAY! But we will still try.
As the project got into high gear this spring, I’m still astounded, amazed, and thrilled, how everyone came on board to help. When the engine had to be rebuilt a Gypsy engine expert steeped forward; when the cover was going on we had help from so many volunteers to rib-stitch, sand, and paint, sometimes the crew was about to stitch each other to the ribs! With so much help, 4 wing panels were done in 2 weeks As we needed one flying wire and the prop plates and spinner, they came on loan, when we needed a fuel tank and prop, they were loaned to us also.
As it came to assembly, the rigging experts showed up, when we needed nav lights they were made, and when things just didn’t fit, our local Englishman would be there with a spot of tea, and talk to it in the right language. When it was time to run the engine, even new seat cushions were installed to sit on.
Well, we made it!! The first flying restoration of the Canadian Museum of Flight, got the C of A and flight test the day before the Abbotsford Air Show. It was an honour to fly the Tiger Moth in the 75th Anniversary flight of the R.C.A.F.
I would like to thank everyone who helped with the parts, labour, and their expertise to make the Tiger Moth fly.
I know that Ted Harris, Harry Fordham and Gordon Peters were up there looking down on us as Inky was the first person to get a ride and saw that big smile on his face.
Written by Werner Griesbeck – Vice President
THE CREW AT WORK RIB-STITCHING AND SANDING.
GIL FANSLAU, INKY KLETT, JACK LINGHAM, BOB FOWLES, JIM MCRAE, GERRY EKHOLM, WERNER GRIESBECK
There once was a plane made of cloth The engine ran backwards by gosh! All the parts fit awry And still it did fly But not like a Tiger – like a Moth!
Written by Doug Moan – Volunteer
THE CREW NOW ATTACH THE WING TERRY’S WAY. NICE LEGS DON!
TERRY ELGOOD INSPECTS WERNER’S WAY OF ATTACHING A WING, THE CREW AWAIT THE DECISION.
My involvement with our Tiger Moth began with helping remove the fabric off the wing panels and control surfaces so we could get a good look at the underlying structure.
After the woodwork was inspected we got to work in the shop building replacement ribs, formers, and trailing edges etc. For those found water damaged or otherwise unserviceable when inspected.
As for me, this was something really new, not having down aircraft woodwork before. I had admired the workmanship in Werner’s basement projects in years past, but never much hands on.
But we got to it after watching, helping, and holding for a while I got the hang of it and was able to turn out some pretty fair work (I think) under Inky’s watchful eye.
With the woodwork down it was time to disassemble the fuselage and attachments for inspection and then to be painted, they must have had skinny mechanics with long arms when they built these things!
By the way, what in the heck is a Whitworth anyway? Maybe one of you can tell me, as close as I can tell, it was something thought up over a couple pints or so by a few Wiley Brits to make money from the Crescent Corp.
After a quick trip with Doug out to pickup our overhauled Gypsy Major from Terry Elgood’s in Richmond, the fuselage was painted and back in the hangar so that the landing gear, fuel tank, and the canopy rails etc., could be put back on. It was now time for me to sandblast the flying wires, maybe you noticed the nice white sandy beach out by the Brantly.
The control surfaces were covered and painted (with no help from me ), then it was off to Werner’s shop with the wing panels to be covered and painted.
It was time to learn rib-stitching all over again, I hadn’t held or even seen a rib stitch needle in about twenty years, but after a couple of days as part of the rib stitch crew. I had developed a few tender spots on my hands and back, but the wings were done.
It was quite impressive, three or four guys rib stitching and a couple more taping, kind of like a quilting bee for guys.
Well, the coffee and the beef jerky didn’t run out, so after a little more sanding etc.. Werner was shooting the yellow and we were back at the Museum.
Why was it we covered all the bolt holes again?
Final assembly and rigging seemed to progress quickly with all the extra hands the project picked up along the way. “Well, bolt the seat down guys, let’s run the engine”
“Left turn Clyde”
Doug pulls three blades through and the gipsy is purring like a kitten, taxi tests follow and Doug spends most of the afternoon with his cheeks in the air adjusting the brakes just how Werner wants them, but wait! The airplane still weighs more than the paperwork, so we’ll have to push the Moth back in the hangar and wait another day for MOT to forward us another couple pounds of paper.
The Tiger Moth flew the next day and made its debut at the Abbotsford Air Show two days later. GOOD JOB EVERYONE!
Written by Bob Fowles – Volunteer
GERRY AND INKY LOOKING FOR SLOTTED HEAD SCREWS
FIRST ENGINE START – THE LEFT HANDED PROP BUNCH
Although I had not worked with the “Head Honcho” (as he described himself to me) Werner before, I did retain some vague recollections of him from a previous life and time.
In the Moth recovery process, I was initially required to cut out numerous square fabric patches with pinking shears.
Shortly thereafter with the additional experience, I graduated to round ones and later to the putting of points on tapes. The absence of a graduation ceremony from these demanding duties was somewhat disappointing, but then onto the challenge of sanding down the silver coats of dope. I was then able to assure our Head Honcho that I could sand the heads off those rib stitches as well as the next fellow if not better, thus accounting for my prompt but permanent transfer on the assembly line.
A worthy cause completed by most worthy people. WELL DONE EVERYONE!
Written by Jack Lingham – Volunteer
I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOUR FEET WENT IN FIRST!! •
ENGINE RUN-UP “IT SURE SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR TO ME”
C-GMFT GOES TO ABBOTSFORD
It was 3:55 p.m. Wednesday August 4th when we finally got permission from the MOT to test fly the Tiger Moth. Gogi and Jack Lingham had been on the phone continuously with MOT for the past three days. Now we had the registration to validate the flight test permit. Not that anyone was anxious, but Werner Griesbeck was in the cockpit with the engine running. After a near perfect test flight the Tiger Moth was put back in the hangar. The next morning. Werner was in the MOT office at Abbotsford, doing paper work to get the C of A ( it took only one hour). Meanwhile back at the Museum, the “Crew” was busy readjusting brakes and flying wires.
When Werner arrived with all the needed paperwork complete, it was time for another test flight. All was well and the airplane was ready to leave home for the first time in 50 years. At 4:00 pm Thursday, the Tiger Moth and the Fleet Finch left Langley and headed for Abbotsford to join two Chipmunks making up a vintage aircraft flight for the Air Show.
Friday August 6th, 8:00 a.m. The airplanes were moved onto their display positions on the ramp and the pilots to the briefing. This year is the 75th anniversary of the RCAF and they have put together a demonstration team of 3 aircraft called the Heritage Flight. (Tutor, T-33, and Harvard) and according to the schedule the heritage Flight (RCAF) and the Vintage Flight ( Museum) were to of ficially open the show at 11:59 a.m. with a fly past.
We were told at the briefing that the 2 groups should get together after the official briefing and make plans for the fly past. We did as requested, however, you should know that we (the Museum) are a group of vintage pilots flying antique airplanes, and the regular Air Force flight is 3 vintage aircraft with very young pilots who are accustomed to flying things that go Mach 2. The young Captain who is in charge of the Heritage Flight informed us that they could not fly with civilian aircraft, therefore, the vintage flight would go ahead, and as soon as we turned off the showline, the Heritage flight would fly by and take the official salute from the General. Next he wanted to know which of our airplanes had a G.P.S. Now the question is, why do you need a G.P.S. when you are holding 2 miles from the airport and you are going to get a 2 minute heads up from the tower? The answer is the Air Force does a 5 to 15 mile hold using G.P.S. headings.
So now it’s 11:30 am and we’re off, the Vintage (Museum) flight goes north to hold and the Heritage (RCAF) Flight goes east. At 11:57 we get the 2 minute warning and turn in towards the airport, 11:58 we pass the east edge of the airport going west down the showline, the music starts and the Official Party rises for salute. At 11:59 exactly, the Tiger Moth passed centre stage with the Fleet and 2 Chipmunks in trail, the General salutes. At 12:01 the music stops and the Official Party turns to leave, 12:02 the Heritage Flight fly’s by. It seems that G.P.S. has no flexibility so they missed their salute.
Saturday August 7th, was a lousy day for an air show, and after pilots briefing, everyone was standing around waiting for weather. After a couple of hours of quiet (which is the worst thing to have at an air show) our leader went to the air show folks and said we could fly our airplanes low and slow and at least give the crowd something to look at. So we did, flying circuits in the air, while the jets sat on the ground.
Sunday August 8th we were scheduled early because of the doubtful weather. We didn’t fly with the Heritage group but had lots of time and did many passes down the showline in various formations. At the end of the day we were given priority take off and back to Langley we went. Oh yes, we did give a couple of Museum members rides back to Langley and judging from their smiles, they had enjoyable rides. Sunday 6:00 p.m. The Tiger Moth and Fleet are back in the hangar, and it’s time to relax and re-live the weekend.
Written by Dan Holliday Museum Board Member
PEOPLE OF ALL AGES CAME OUT TO SEE THE TIGER MOTH FLY.
THE SMILE SAYS IT ALL!
THE FIRST PASSENGER IN THE TIGER MOTH WAS INKY KLETT, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT….HE IS STILL SMILING!
TO EVERYONE INVOLVED THANK YOU
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DENNIS CARDY FOR HIS GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS, AND TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT DONATED PICTURES.