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Thread: Gypsy Moth Bi-Plane Question

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    Default Gypsy Moth Bi-Plane Question

    This is the scenario:

    You are all alone in the desert. Nearby a fuelled, fully serviceable Gypsy Moth bi-plane.

    Question:

    Can you start the plane and fly to safety?
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."



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    I'm tipping no... as you would need a second person to start it... spin the prop to kick it over.

    You didn't mention if there is a runway, or suitable ground, presuming being desert, it might just be all sand.

    Finally, if you've never flown an aircraft previously, I'm sure you'd struggle.

    Taking off is easy, compared to landing.

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    I'd have a go!!!!
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    I'm tipping no... as you would need a second person to start it... spin the prop to kick it over.

    You didn't mention if there is a runway, or suitable ground, presuming being desert, it might just be all sand.

    Finally, if you've never flown an aircraft previously, I'm sure you'd struggle.

    Taking off is easy, compared to landing.
    Have to agree about taking off and landing. I tried on the F-18 simulator a few times. Taking off, piece of piss. flying inverted under Sydney Harbour Bridge, piece of piss. Landing... 3 attempts at WLM, and the last go I landed 10 feet underground...

    Tiger Moth would be a hell of a lot harder to fly too.

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    Clearly a trick Question.
    Only about 20 Gypsy Moths in flying condition in the world so you'd have a rare one for a start.

    Can I start it? Should be no trouble. Couple of things like with all aircraft, priming them, setting mags and throttle etc but should be able to figure that out. Can definitely be started one person.

    Fly to safety? Am I an any danger where I am? Where is " Safety? Do I know? Have a map or compass? How is the wind? These old planes are not too tolerant of cross winds etc.
    I am not a Pilot but I have flown a few planes and had some lessons. These old planes are very uncomplicated and straight forward so I don't believe I would have any problem. I'd Suggest with their low speeds and straightforward controls, they should be pretty easy to fly.

    Endless variables not covered here but if I thought it was needed, I'd be confident although cautions I could fly and land the thing. If it was a modern light aircraft I would also be Confident. Long as you have the basic idea the checklist gives you all the info you need including numbers to get the thing flying.

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    Quote Originally Posted by george65 View Post
    .....Endless variables not covered here....
    That's it in a nutshell George, to give an informed answer to the question we need context.
    Cheers
    Ted (Al)

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    Nope, I ain't starting it and there's no way will I try to fly it.. The damn thing is soooo rare.

    I would advertise it on Ebay (Pickup Only) and wait for someone to buy it and pick me up at the same time.

    Make some money and get a lift home... LOL That's a condition of sale.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    I'm tipping no... as you would need a second person to start it... spin the prop to kick it over.
    That would be my thought as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    You didn't mention if there is a runway, or suitable ground, presuming being desert, it might just be all sand.
    The plane was flown in ...

    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    Taking off is easy, compared to landing.
    ... by you.

    The reason for this question was the closing sequence of "The English Patient".

    EDIT: The plane I believe is actually a Tiger Moth - not that should make any difference to the posted scenario.
    Last edited by Guiseppe; 06-07-20 at 03:57 PM.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    Endless variables not covered here
    Yep. nor in the movie..with most of the 'desert' scenes having been filmed at some beach =) You'd actually need big balloon bush-plane/sand tyres to stand any chance of getting it in the air...or landing it for that matter, on the sort of 'desert' the movie poorly portrays.

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    Don't need a second person to spin the prop. All the settings on those small early aircraft can be made then you can go throw it over yourself. Only thing you may need is wheel chocks but at idle, not even sure you'd need those to stop it moving. Anyway, if it was idling it would be creeping along not taking off on it's own.

    You'd actually need big balloon bush-plane/sand tyres to stand any chance of getting it in the air...or landing it for that matter
    Love watching those STOL planes they have in Canada and the mountains. Things take off and land in 20 Ft.

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