Simon Spencer-Bower, of Wānaka, with his newly rebuilt Tiger Moth, which flew for the first time in 33 years over the Taieri Plain on Wednesday. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYAfter decades sitting idle, a brilliant-yellow Tiger Moth finally stretched its wings over the Taieri Plain. Owner Simon Spencer-Bower, of Wānaka, said the refurbished vintage biplane passed its first test flight on Wednesday with full marks. When it became surplus to air force requirements, the plane changed hands several times and was painted in civilian colours before Mr Spencer-Bower bought it in 1974. The plane was restored to its ‘‘particularly nice’’ Air Force colours when Mr Spencer-Bower was contracted to work on the 1981 film Bad Blood, based on the manhunt for mass-murderer Stanley Graham in 1941.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 26, 2026 16:40 UTC