VH-ARU  de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth               (c/n  DHA256)

                           

                               Here's VH-ARU at Geraldton WA in January 1974, following a lengthy rebuild. (Photo from the
                               Geoff Goodall collection).  Once owned by Airlines (WA) Ltd, this Tiger Moth had crashed while
                               crop-spraying near Wongan Hills WA on 1 August 1960 and its wreck had been on slow rebuild
                               with different owners since then.  It was originally built for the RAAF as A17-237 and was first
                               civilly registered in May 1946.    In 2006 the Tiger was acquired by Peter Hearnshaw of Tiger
                               Moth Adventures Pty Ltd of Airlie Beach, Qld where the old lady is now currently employed in
                               taking tourists on scenic and aerobatic flights over the Whitsunday Passage.  Immediately below
                               is a shot taken by Peter as -ARU appeared in 2006 and, at the foot of the page, a contemporary
                               shot also by Peter showing  the Tiger as it appears today (2008).    Incidentally, CASA gives this
                               Tiger the phony c/n of AM237.  Just where the "AM" came from I'm not sure.