After a mammoth effort over the last 24 days, Martin Farrand flew his DH 83C Fox Moth ZK-APT into Kaipara Flats airfield this morning where it will now be based. The odyssey started on 24 July when Martin along with Alan Coubray set out from Kaipara Flats in Alan's Stinson ZK-STN and travelled South down the East Coast of both Islands, stopping off at Rangiora on 26 July where Dave Paull did a nice post on the Stinson, and then on to Alexandra where Martin has based the Fox Moth since he bought it in December 2023 Then the return journey began by retracing the route, overnighting at Kaikoura and then on to Masterton. This was a period of great weather for most of the North Island with a nice Southerly wind to help with groundspeed. However the Wairarapa was clagged in for days necessitating leaving the Fox Moth there for more than a week. Then last Wednesday it was back to Masterton with Alan Coubray in his trusty Stinson Flying Station Wagon and a flight North on Thursday with stops at Hastings and Galatea for fuel. Galatea doesn't have any fuel! But the carrying capacity of the Fox Moth meant that Martin could carry his own fuel in the cabin. They flew from Galatea to Whitianga on Thursday and finally across to Kaipara Flats this morning with a strong Easterly tailwind, and earlier than originally to beat the rain.
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