This project is progressing under the expert eye of Stephen Slater from Chesham in Buckinghamshire and sees the restoration of a 1930 Currie Wot single seat sports biplane.
Airymouse is a Currie Wot single-seat sports biplane, built to the original 1930s drawings for Hampshire Aeroplane Club by its designer Joe Currie, a former WW1 pilot and engineer. It is a classic wood and fabric design and the oldest example of the type.
Airymouse has a particular history in that in late 1950s, it was acquired by Westland’s chief test pilot Harald Penrose, whose own flying career had begun in the 1920s. He wrote a series of books, one of which Airymouse chronicled his flying the biplane over the English countryside. Even then, the aircraft was an anachronism, a 1930s aircraft with a tailskid and no brakes, and to quote its original owner, “a diminutive biplane of insignificant horsepower”.
It was acquired by its current owner Steve Slater in 2016 and returned to flight after several years in storage. In early 2022, he decided deeper restoration was required, so the fabric was stripped from the airframe, woodwork repaired and the aircraft re-fabriced and repainted by Steve and friends. Final re-assembly is currently underway and the wings have been refitted.
Airymouse is one of the oldest non-factory built aircraft flying in the UK. The restoration has been carried out to preserve its originality, history and using traditional techniques. It is a rare example of a low-cost, aircraft which pioneered the early post-war sport flying movement which continues today.
Unfortunately Steve is currently convalescing from serious illness, and cannot be here today. Nonetheless the Trust was keen that his excellent project should be recognised this year with a restoration award.