Tracking Shots
Flashbacks: New Zealand History on Film
Percy Fisher and His Fantastic Flying Machine
The first locally built aeroplane to fly in New Zealand was the Fisher Monoplane which made a successful, controlled powered flight at Hurunui-O-Rangi Flat near Gladstone in the Wairarapa on 21-22 June, 1913.
The mechanic and inspiration behind the plane was David Percival Fisher (1882-1941). Known as Percy, the Wellington-born inventor had been building and trialling his monoplane since June 1911. By 1913 he had relinquished pilot duties to Reggie White.
The first flying moments took place in the Wairarapa on 21 June 1913 and were caught on film by local film maker Charlie Barton.
To maximize return on public interest, Barton released his film Experimental Flights of the Fisher Monoplane at the People’s Picture Palace cinema in Wellington in early July. Standing room only audiences applauded the local effort and the film was shown throughout the country.
- The Fisher Monoplane (1,800kb)
Please note: These videos are in the QuickTime format. You will need to have the QuickTime player installed in order to view these files.
