In a vibrant hangar at Wanaka Airport, a number of very significant aircraft restoration projects are underway.
The hangar is home to Twenty24 Limited, an aircraft restoration and maintenance company owned by Callum Smith and his
wife Trish. With their team of talented aircraft engineers they have become Southern Hemisphere’s home of the Beechcraft
Staggerwing.
These beautiful biplanes first rolled off the production line in the United States back in the 1930s. They were the Lear
jet of their time noted for their fine craftsmanship, high quality exterior finishes, luxurious interiors and high-speed
performance. Despite being built during the depression, these hand-crafted aircraft were not cheap and cost around six
times more than comparable aircraft.
The name “Staggerwing” came from the fact that, unlike previous biplanes, their upper wing was set aft from the lower
wing - an arrangement known as negative stagger. The aircraft soon became known as the Staggerwing.
Additionally, being one of the first aircraft in the world to sport retractable landing gear, Beechcraft decided it
would increase sales, if they demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to land safely with the landing gear retracted. This
was accomplished by fitting a skid to the lower fuselage and a brake to stop the propellers rotation, allowing a ‘wheels
up’ landing to be made without damaging the aircraft.
Let the restorations begin
Hong Kong based Australians, Cam and Tracey Hawley, own Staggerwing, C17B serial # 108. This aircraft was delivered from
the Beechcraft factory to its first Australian owners in 1936. A number of years ago, Cam and Tracey decided to bring
their Staggerwing to New Zealand for a complete restoration. Upon learning of Callum Smith’s skills, they engaged him to
craft and complete a significant portion of this work.
Twenty24 Limited completed the award winning restoration in 2013 and the Staggerwing has since been displayed at a
number of aviation events around New Zealand, including being an integral part of the spectacular classic aircraft
flypast at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
In 2007, it emerged that another historically significant Staggerwing was potentially available in Australia. After some
detective work, The Hawley’s located and recovered the fuselage frame of Staggerwing D17A serial # 357 from its remote
outback Queensland location.
Known as the ‘Antarctic Staggerwing’, this aircraft was famously taken to the ice by Admiral Richard Byrd as part of his
1940 United States Antarctic Service expedition. It returned to the US to be refurbished before heading to Australia
where it was pressed into service during WWII by the RAAF. Later it was converted for use in aerial agricultural work in
Queensland until it crashed in 1963.
The restoration of this aircraft currently underway with Twenty24 Limited, will see it return to its original Antarctic
configuration and livery. The fuselage has now been repaired, covered with fabric and painted and work turns to
installing the Wright R760 engine and fitting out the interior. The intention is to have this aircraft display at a
future Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow and there’s even talk of a possible tour of the US, given its historical
significance there.
Word of the outstanding results that Callum and his team have achieved with these first two aircraft has spread and
another two Staggerwing ‘projects’ have recently arrived at Wanaka.
The first is D17S serial # 6763. This aircraft was originally built for the US Navy and was sent to Britain to be used
by the Royal Navy Fleet Arm in 1944. A decade later it ended up in Australia. The aircraft last flew in 1999 after which
it was stripped down for a rebuild which was unfortunately not completed.
Recently purchased by Allan Arthur of Albury, New South Wales, the Staggerwing was shipped to Wanaka so that the
restoration could be restarted. Since then, rapid progression has been seen with the fuselage well underway in
preparation for fabric covering. Allan has been a supporter of Warbirds Over Wanaka over the years and Callum was
involved in the restoration of his P-40 Kittyhawk which flew at WOW back in 2006.
The fourth Staggerwing now in Wanaka has special significance in that it is the only one to ever be delivered brand new
to New Zealand. C17L Serial # 107 (the next Staggerwing off the production line was VH-UXP) was bought new by the
Auckland Aero Club with help from St John and was this country’s first dedicated air ambulance.
The aircraft eventually found its way across the Tasman where in 1966 it crashed on takeoff and hasn’t flown since.
Qantas Captain Bert Smithwell found out about the wreckage and couldn’t bear to see it just ‘disappear’. He purchased
the aircraft and stored it away in his garage in suburban Sydney where it stayed until January this year, when Bert
passed away.
His family were keen to see it go to a good home and when Motueka man Don Grant came calling with Callum in tow,
assurances were given that they would get her flying again and so a deal was reached.
Like Mainland Cheese, good aircraft restorations take time but it’s hoped that maybe one day all four will be flying at
a future Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
With his big reputation for fine workmanship, don’t be surprised if Callum doesn’t end up getting a few more Staggerwing
‘projects’ turn up in Wanaka.
In the meantime you can see VH-UXP fly at next Easter’s Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow and check out the
others on display in Twenty 24’s hangar. For tickets and more information go to www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com
Photos: Three of the four Staggerwing aircraft outside the Twenty24 Ltd hangar at Wanaka Airport, (left to right) Allan
Arthur’s D17S, the ‘Antarctic Staggerwing’ and the Hawley’s first to be restored VH-UXP. No credits thank you.
ends