A message from our custodian

What a wonderful two and a half months it has been since the Spirit of Douglas reached New Zealand shores, now three quarters of the way around the world on her World Cruiser Tour. Arrival in Canterbury in March was met with a profound sense of achievement followed by a bittersweet moment for the team.  We were elated to be home, in Christchurch , aiming for the Easter Warbirds over Wanaka Air show, a stop as part of our Sector 3 journey. One of our beloved Pratt and Whitney radial engines however decided differently, asking for some well earned rest after such a long journey.  We took the decision that an engine change was the safest and best option which unfortunately led to a change of plans and withdrawal from the airshow. Arrangements were made to ship our spare engine from Aurora, Oregon on the West Coast of the US.  The flying team got a well earned break as logistics for that engine change were sorted. Wanaka remains high on our priorities to be flying in the South soon.

In April, one of our Christchurch based  partners , GCH Aviation had a public open day. The Westpac Air Rescue service and NZ Flying Doctor Service are located there. GCH kindly asked us whether we may be able to have the  Spirit of Douglas available for the public to get up close and personal with for the day.  We were delighted to do so and over 10,000 people showed up.  It was so heartwarming to see the level of interest in all things aviation. We met so many people, shared priceless stories and engaged with both new and old friends. I thank everybody that engaged with the plane and came and chatted with us, bought a book, got a sticker or took a photograph that day. For me, it was one of the highlights of my personal journey with this lovely flying machine, seeing the joy on everyone’s faces and supporting such good charities in air rescue.  

Mid May was spent getting the engine change done and tested. Paul, Chief Pilot and responsible for all things for the plane and its journey, came down from the USA to change and test the engine. Our sincere thanks must go to the team at JEM Aviation at Omaka. Jay and his team dropped tools instantly to come to our assistance in Christchurch and a total team of 6 changed out the engine over a period of 3 days. Thanks to our team who worked tirelessly to get her running again.  It was so nice to fly the Spirit of Douglas twice up to Omaka and back as part of her testing. A special callout to everyone that was so thoughtful and helpful at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. What a facility. Wonderful. You helped us close the loop on some historical aviation knowledge we had been seeking. Graham - you’re a legend! 

Once back in the air, we decided to stay close by as we put in some much needed hours and ran in the new engine.  A series of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula flights were made and we tried to overfly as many townships of Canterbury and parts of the city as we could. The weather cooperated amazingly. Nancy, Paul and Connell hosted approximately 60 people for the planned flights and Nancy looked stunning in period uniform as though we were in the 1950s.  

The biggest milestone so far of our journey also happened on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of the Spirit of Douglas World Cruiser Tour project.  The 25th of May 2026. Sector 3 for the journey was Kuala Lumpur-Windwhistle and it was on this day, the plane touched down in Windwhistle and completed the Sector. The airstrip she landed on had been over 30 years in the making for this day and it was a very touching moment.   The low pass maneuvers were breathtaking both on the land and in the plane.  

My job for all this Canterbury leg of the journey was as photographer on the plane and a selection of images have been prepared. All you need is a cellphone really, our beautiful landscape and cityscape does the rest.  Thank you to everyone who took photos of the plane from the ground and shared them. 

We have now allowed the Spirit of Douglas and the amazing and dedicated team that support her to take a break. More planning is underway as we intend to bring her around New Zealand for people to share. News on that will follow .   

Our season 2 of the documentary Spirit of Douglas Odyssey is in production at present , season 1 is on our website www.spiritofdouglas.org or on YouTube if you haven’t seen it yet.  Please share it with as many as you can.  

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Finally - I want to say a massive thank you to all those who are following our journey.  The comments that everyone sends us are so heartwarming. The affection shown for a piece of aviation history warms one’s soul.  The sound of those amazingly distinctive radial engines cannot be unheard.  The stories that people send us of DC-3s in their life, the younger people who all come out and are so enthusiastic for the history - the plane spotter community who take truly amazing imagery and are so passionate. You are all part of what keeps a plane like this in the air.  It is everyone's history to share. So thank you for letting us roam the skies and for engaging with us. We love being home.  

Stay tuned - more exciting news coming as to the Spirit of Douglas as the journey continues. 

Mark Stewart 

Custodian 

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