Fisher Monoplane Commemorative Model

On June 21 - 23 1913, a monoplane designed by a Wellington man, David Percival Fisher, made some of the first recorded flights in New Zealand here. The Fisher Monoplane has an important place in New Zealand's aviation history as the first plane built in this country to successfully fly.

Fisher (1882 - 1941) built 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. His counterpart in South Canterbury, Richard Pearse, was doing similar things at a similar time.

A film from the Archive of Film, Television and Sound Nga Taonga shows successful flight.

A book has been written about the story:

Image Credits: NZPlaces and Glen Butler Night and Light Photography