Homegrown Single Seat Homebuilt Aircraft of New Zealand (2) - Maurice Paton Monoswift

The Maurice Paton Monoswift was designed and built by Maurice Paton at his farm near Rangiora.  Maurice had previously owned several sport aircraft including Thorp T 18 ZK-EDF and Corby Starlet ZK-EEZ, and the Monoswift is based on the Thorp but as a single seater.  Construction is from wood and ply, with fibreglass used for cowlings, wing tips etc.  The engine is interesting - it is a water cooled 3.9 litre Rover V8 engine from a Land Rover Discovery, with the radiator mounted in a belly scoop similar to a P 51 Mustang.  The aircraft originally had a 3 bladed 68 inch Warp Drive propeller, but in the more recent photo below a 2 bladed propeller is fitted.  The aircraft took 3 years to build.

Thanks to Blue Bus for the photos and information.

ZK-MPS (c/n MPS 001) was first registered to Maurice J Paton on 24/9/03 and its first flight was by Maurice form his home airstrip "Barracca" to Rangiora airfield on 26/10/03.  It is photo'd above at the 2005 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton.  Maurice applied a Ravenna Horse to the tail (the same as Ferrari) and the horse is slightly different on either side.

Sadly, Maurice Paton died in the West Indies in February 2011.  The above photo was taken at a memorial service for Maurice held at Bruce Drake's "Fernside" airfield near Rangiora on 30/4/11.  There is a link to Maurice Paton on this blog at www.nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2011/05/maurice-john-paton.html

ZK-MPS is still registered to Maurice Paton, but at an Auckland address.