DH60 Moth VH-UAE

Somewhat like the apocryphal 'Grandfather's Axe', former CAB De Havilland DH60 Moth G-AUAE/VH-UAE is presently (c.2006) Australia's oldest airworthy aircraft. It is seen in the photo above arriving at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Annual Fly-in at Swan Hill, Vic, on 23 April 2005.

After wartime RAAF service as A7-88, this aircraft was disposed of on 9 March 1945 to Mr Bruce Cowan of La Perouse, NSW, for A£100. Mr Cowan sold it to Mr H Hayes of Bega, NSW, who had it re-registered as VH-UAE.

Over the years VH-UAE had three further private owners until, in 2000, it completed a restoration at the Croydon Aircraft Co. in New Zealand. Returning to Australia, VH-UAE was purchased by David and Carolyn Salter of Walcha, NSW in 2001. Under the tender care of the Salters, VH-UAE is regularly flown to events around the east coast of Australia, and has even made a trip to central Australia to star in a film.

According to Carolyn Salter "It really is a privilege to own Australia's oldest flying aircraft, and with that comes also the responsibility of keeping her in excellent condition, and looking after this little piece of aviation history. There is nothing quite like viewing the world from aloft, and when there is no barrier between you and the earth and sky, and the view is sometimes between flying wires, then you are truly blessed. And we know it."*

(Photo: Phil Vabre collection)

* Gipsy Moth DH60 by Carolyn Salter, in Rag & Tube #120, December 2004, p.22.

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De Havilland DH60 Moth VH-UAE

Somewhat like the apocryphal 'Grandfather's Axe', former CAB De Havilland DH60 Moth G-AUAE/VH-UAE is presently (c.2006) Australia's oldest airworthy aircraft. It is seen in the photo above arriving at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Annual Fly-in at Swan Hill, Vic, on 23 April 2005. After wartime RAAF service as A7-88, this aircraft was disposed of on 9 March 1945 to Mr Bruce Cowan of La Perouse, NSW, for A£100. Mr Cowan sold it to Mr H Hayes of Bega, NSW, who had it re-registered as VH-UAE. Over the years VH-UAE had three further private owners until, in 2000, it completed a restoration at the Croydon Aircraft Co. in New Zealand. Returning to Australia, VH-UAE was purchased by David and Carolyn Salter of Walcha, NSW in 2001. Under the tender care of the Salters, VH-UAE is regularly flown to events around the east coast of Australia, and has even made a trip to central Australia to star in a film. According to Carolyn Salter "It really is a privilege to own Australia's oldest flying aircraft, and with that comes also the responsibility of keeping her in excellent condition, and looking after this little piece of aviation history. There is nothing quite like viewing the world from aloft, and when there is no barrier between you and the earth and sky, and the view is sometimes between flying wires, then you are truly blessed. And we know it."* (Photo: Phil Vabre collection) * Gipsy Moth DH60 by Carolyn Salter, in Rag & Tube #120, December 2004, p.22. Back to CAB DH60 Moth index page If this page appears without menu bars at top or left, click here