Aircraft [Gere Sport]
Maker and role
George Gere, Designer
Production date
1933
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Object detail
Accession number
1982.749
Maker
Production period
Description
1933 homebuilt design. Gere Sport biplane with single radial engine and twin blade propeller. Rib section and rib construction using spruce and plywood. "Turtledeck" general arrangement using formers of birch ply and spruce. Fixed undercarriage using large diameter air wheels instead of the usual shock struts. Power plant: Szekely. Propeller 60" wood, double-bladed. Single seat aircraft. The aircraft is painted red with white striping down each side of the fuselage. There are also white angled wedges painted on the tail rudder. The trailing edge of the wing has white markings. Written on the fuselage, under the open cockpit, is the designer's name in black - "Gere".
Brief History
In the early 20th century, few people in New Zealand could afford factory-built aircraft, and New Zealander’s do-it-yourself attitude and lack of funds led to many people attempting to build their own. The Gere Sports Biplane is a 1930s homebuilt design.
Many of the New Zealand homebuilt designs of the 1930s were unsuccessful, although some flew and a few received Certificates of Airworthiness. The engines were often motorcycle engines.
The Gere Sport Biplane was designed by American university student George Gere in 1932-33. It was one of the most popular pre-World War II homebuilt although little is known about its popularity in New Zealand. It is understood this aircraft was partially made in the mid-1930s. It had several owners before being donated to MOTAT in 1966 where it underwent further restoration.
Many of the New Zealand homebuilt designs of the 1930s were unsuccessful, although some flew and a few received Certificates of Airworthiness. The engines were often motorcycle engines.
The Gere Sport Biplane was designed by American university student George Gere in 1932-33. It was one of the most popular pre-World War II homebuilt although little is known about its popularity in New Zealand. It is understood this aircraft was partially made in the mid-1930s. It had several owners before being donated to MOTAT in 1966 where it underwent further restoration.
Marks
GERE Painted
1933 GERE SPORT / BIPLANE Painted
1933 GERE SPORT / BIPLANE Painted
Media/Materials
Credit Line
George Gere. 1933. Aircraft [Gere Sport], 1982.749. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Propeller [Supreme]; Supreme Propeller Company](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/10371/f8be999eacce10ea01188f5713eab18e8b8d8ae0.jpg)
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