Oxford - 1/72 DH Puss Moth CF-APK Bert Hinkler

Another great yet ultimately tragic aviation story lies behind our latest Puss Moth introduction, which goes back to the early 1930s and a brilliant aviator and inventor, Bert Hinkler, who was born in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1892. Herbert John Louis Hinkler, AFC, DSM was better known as Bert and he came to the fore after designing and building early aircraft before moving to England in 1913, working with the Sopwith Aviation Company - a stepping stone in his aviation career. Bert Hinkler went on to become the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, which reduced the England-Australia record from 28 days to 15 1/2days. In 1931, in Puss Moth CF-APK "Karohi" he flew from Canada to New York then non-stop to Jamaica, then to Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil and then across the South Atlantic to Africa. From West Africa, he flew to London, becoming the first aviator to make a solo flight across the South Atlantic. The Puss Moth had a flaw, which was to cost Bert Hinkler his life. Wing failures had commenced in 1930 when several incidents were recorded where the wings had broken off in flight. On 7th January 1933, Bert Hinkler left London in his Puss Moth CF-APK in an attempt to break the flying record to Australia which at that time stood at 8 days 20 hours. Nothing more was heard from him and his body and aircraft were found three weeks later in the Tuscan Mountains of Italy. His plane had crashed into the mountains and there was evidence that a wing had broken off. He was only 40 years old and had been married for less than a year. This model represents that valiant Puss Moth CF-APK "Karohi" in which Bert Hinkler had flown his record breaking flight in 1931 and on his final journey in 1933. It is decorated in its silver colour scheme with bright red graphics featuring CF-APK along the fuselage and upper/lower wings as well as its name "Karohi" on each side of the nosecone. The wing struts are also painted red and the aircraft comes with black interior. Note too, the small radius balloon type tyres on this model. Tributes to Bert Hinkler still exist worldwide from roads to monuments and there is a Museum in his memory in his home-town of Bundaberg, which is well worth a visit.

Features:
- Scale: 1/72
- Size approximately: L 4.25 x W 6.25 inches
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Spinning propellers.
- An Accurate Scale Model and replica
- This model is part of Oxford collection
- Not a toy, suitable for age 14+