Seeking Enthusiasts To Soar To New Heights

The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum Inc is a long-standing non-profit organisation, run by local volunteers who possess a proud passion for aviation.

The group began in 1974, when the founding members of the group, formerly known as The Tiger Moth Trust banded together to purchase a Tiger Moth that had been restored locally and was in danger of being sold to America.

Support was gathered from the Mackay community to purchase the Tiger Moth and the Trust (now The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum) was formed to administer the operation.

The two Tiger Moth aircraft are owned by the Mackay community with one being christened the “City of Mackay” to confirm its ownership.

The trust became an incorporated museum with tax-deductible status, run totally by voluntary efforts for administration, crewing, and pilots. It is a labour of love, as none of the members receive remuneration for their efforts.

The Tiger Moth Museum currently operates two aeroplanes, the VH-IVN and the VH-CYA.

The VH-IVN is a Tiger Moth that was built in England in 1943, later commissioned into the Royal Navy as a training aircraft. This plane has operated as a crop duster in New Zealand, as well as in RAAF training implementing Tiger Moths during the Second World War.

In November 2010, the Museum purchased a second Tiger Moth VH-CYA. This aircraft was commissioned into the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. It was used as a crop duster in Gilgandra, New South Wales for many years before eventually being retired from work and restored by private owners to its present condition.

The Tiger Moth Museum’s source of income is their joy flights. These flights fund the costs to keep both Tiger Moth aeroplanes running and maintained to a charter standard.

An engine from a Tiger Moth aeroplane must be removed from the aircraft every 1500 hours to be stripped, costing a staggering $50,000 each time.

The Tiger Moth Museum takes part in events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, the Bakers Creek Memorial, as well as weddings, funerals and more.

The volunteers who run the Tiger Moth Museum love to see the smile on the faces of people who return home from their first joy flight. It is rare for them to encounter someone who does not want a second go!

The Tiger Moth Museum are now looking for more volunteers and strongly encourage anyone who is interested in aviation to apply, as well as commercial pilots to operate the joy flights.

You can enjoy these coastal flights with times ranging from 20, 30 and 60 minutes operating on weekends. Bookings are available from Whitsunday Office Machines at 14 Ginger Street in Paget or by calling 07 499 856 77. Gift vouchers are also available.

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Volunteers of the Tiger Moth Museum alongside Tiger Moth VH-CYA. (left to right) Ross Robotham, Stewart Garnham and Peter Currey

Photo credit: Sinead Porter

The two Tigers, VH-CYA and VH-IVN

In the air looking over the beautiful Pioneer River

Photo credit: The Tiger Moth Museum

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