A Bantam microlight made in Hamilton. The model is soon to
be manufactured by the Croydon Aircraft Company in
Mandeville, near Gore. Photo supplied.
The Croydon Aircraft Company, in Mandeville, near Gore,
has been asked by a ''conservation Rambo'' in Zimbabwe to build
two microlight aircraft for use detecting rhinoceros poachers.
But the order has come with a catch and left Croydon owner
Colin Smith with a dilemma.
While he is willing to build the aircraft at cost, to support
a good cause, there is only enough money from Zimbabwe for
two-thirds of the $55,000 retail price of one aircraft.
He has approached the Otago Daily Times in the hope of
finding ''a wee bit of local support'' to raise the shortfall
of about $50,000.
''We are wondering if there is enough interest to get people
to help ... to offset the cost of the aeroplanes.''
In 2012 - the worst year for poaching in decades - 588 rhinos
were killed by poachers in South Africa's Kruger National
Park alone.
Rhino poaching has soared because of the demand in Asia for
ground-up rhino horn to be used as medicine.
''I think seven more were slaughtered last week. It's really
quite sad what's happening,'' Mr Smith said recently.
One of those trying to stop the poaching in southern Africa
is Damien Mander, an Australian who has featured in the
National Geographic magazine and been described in an
Australian television current affairs programme as a
''conservation Rambo''.
While Mr Mander did not respond to ODT emails, Mr
Smith believes he is a bona fide anti-poaching campaigner.
''The article in the National Geographic is quite
dramatic really.''
The magazine described Mr Mander as a ''a hard-muscled former
Australian Special Forces sniper with an imposing menagerie
of tattoos, including `Seek & Destroy' in Gothic
lettering across his chest''.
He trains and equips Zimbabweans to hunt rhino poachers.
Mr Smith's company became involved when Mr Mander approached
it for a Micro Aviation B22 Bantam.
His company has recently bought Micro Aviation, of Hamilton -
the country's biggest aircraft manufacturer - and is
preparing to manufacture the Micro Aviation B22 Bantam
microlight in Mandeville.
Mr Smith says the Bantam is renowned for being safe, stable
and relatively cheap to operate.
Micro Aviation was founded by Max Clear and has produced more
than 300 aircraft. Mr Clear died in 2011.
- mark.price@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.