Only One In The World
The Tiger Moth float plane, pictured here and on the front cover is the only one of its type in the world.
The machine, known affectionately as the ‘Sea Tiger’ is also believed to be the only two winged float plane in existence and is one of only two seaplanes airworthy in the British Isles.
The aircraft has bean based near Rye during the summer disguised as Sir Francis Chichester’s famous Gipsy Moth, ZK-AKK in which he crossed the Tasman Sea solo in 1931. This was one episode in his incredible life story that is being filmed for Television.
The ‘Sea Tiger’ is owned by The Tiger Club mid was flown for the film by Capt. Keith Sissons, A.R.Ac.S., one of only two currently licensed professional seaplane pilots in the United Kingdom.
This particular aircraft has further claims to fame for as a land plane, it became the only Tiger Moth to win the coveted Kings Cup Air Race when in 1958 it was piloted to victory at 118 mph.
The type was first built as far back as 1931, but this particular machine was a ‘war baby’ built for the Royal Australian Air Force, in 1943.
Observant readers might notice a second ‘Sea Tiger’ in the cover picture. No you are not seeing double, our photographer has been cheating again.
“Rye’s Own” Quarterly Issue January 1971
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