Edwardian Era Replica Flying Machines of New Zealand - the Mudrovich 1903 Pearse Replica

Around 10 years after the centenary of Richard Pearse's attempts to fly at Waitohi in South Canterbury, Ivan Mudrovich of Auckland completed his re-imagination of Pearse's 1903 flying machine.

Ivan's machine was much larger than the earlier group's efforts. He had done quite a lot of research and claimed that Pearse reworked his flying machine over several years of trying, resulting in a very much bigger wing.  Ivan was a talented engine builder and he also built his version of Pearse's 1903 double acting 2 cylinder engine that he powered his machine with.  A very good article on Ivan's replica and his engine is at: https://www.theshedmag.co.nz/home/2019/4/30/an-engine-imagined

ZK-RPT (c/n 002) was registered to Mr I A Mudrovcich(spelling?) of Auckland on 16/3/12.

After many trials ZK-RPT was demonstrated at the 2015 Wings Over Wairarapa, helmed by senior ex Air New Zealand Captain Nev Hay.

Nev reported that he got to around 15 to 18 mph in a fast taxy, and he had to "blip" the engine so he didn't go any faster.  At that speed the wing was fully "inflated" and was getting good lift, and the aileron/spoiler were effective.  But it did not achieve flight.

More trials followed, above at Whenuapai (date unknown), and finally the machine was transported to Whitianga where further taxy tests were carried out in April 2016, but the engine did not develop full power and then Ivan Mudrovich was hospitalised. See: https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2016/04/no-it-didnt-fly.html

Sadly, Ivan Mudrovich passed away in late 2018, see: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11935266 and ZK-RPT was cancelled from the register on 11/10/18.