Fisher Monoplane

Category
Engineering Plant (eg railway, locomotive, car, plane)

Description

The Fisher Monoplane has an important place in New Zealand's aviation history as the first plane built in this country to successfully fly.

David Percival Fisher (1882 - 1941) was owner and builder of the Fisher Monoplane, to a design which he adapted from a drawing of the Bleriot Mk XI in Flight magazine. The engine was also built from scratch by Fisher, with the exception of a secondhand crankcase.

The first successful sustained flights were carried out at Hurunui-o-rangi Flat, near Gladstone, Wairarapa on 21 and 22 June 1913, and were captured on film (click here to view New Zealand Film Archive footage of the event). Further flights were undertaken near Carterton during summer of 1913/1914. 

Location
A commemorative plaque and a half size all metal model mounted on a column are to be found beside the Carterton - Gladstone Road.

Region/s
Wairarapa

Access Info
The monument is at the roadside on Gladstone Road, about 12 kilometres southeast from Carterton.

Nature of Engineering

 

Lat: -41.066667 Long: 175.616667