Unlike most aircraft, the Nanchang requires stored compressed air to crank its engine for start.  Air supply must be conserved after each flight in order to provide starting capability for the next, otherwise an external air bottle has to be used.  With good air pressure, the Huosai radial engine comes to life easily, producing lots of smoke from residual oil in the lower cylinders.  

The Winjeel departing Caboolture, QLD on its delivery flight to Benalla after restoration. Mark Carr and Ed Field flew it via an overnight stop at Parkes, NSW.

Bert Perssons, the principal restorer and test pilot, banking 'CZB' over Caboolture, Queensland.

Here, the Nanchang's modified 'bubble' hood over the front cockpit can be seen to good effect.  It greatly improves visibility from the aircraft, important when operating from Benalla, a busy gliding airfield.

The Moth 'Minor' provides stunning views from its open cockpits.  Here, we are over Benalla Airfield with the town ahead.

The front cockpit of the Nanchang, quite different to comparable Western aircraft.  It includes two rotary valves which activate compressed air pressure for the landing gear, brakes, flaps, engine start and emergency landing gear extension.  The bulky Chinese radios have been removed from the front cockpit, however the rear cockpit has been left original.

The wheel brake lever can be seen on the control column.  Also, note the 'reverse sense' attitude indicator, based on Russian practice.

Bert Perssons (in the front cockpit) not only carried out a lot of the restoration work on the Moth 'Minor' at Sandora Aviation, Caboolture, Queensland, but also test-flew it.  He is also an accomplished glider pilot.  Ed Field, Sandora's owner, is in the back seat.

Here, Mark is turning the Nanchang steeply to the right in a deep blue sky with green fields below.

A very simple aeroplane.  The grey lever on the left operates the wheel brakes, while that on the right is the air brake lever.  There is a 'parcel shelf' (!) under the instrument panel, while the compass sits between the pilot's knees.  A modern suite of miniaturised avionics (radio, intercom and transponder) resides behind the opening panel with the silver knob on the right.

Mike Beach, the previous owner, is in the front cockpit with Mark along for the ride. Contrast the original front cockpit canopy with the 'bubble' unit which was fitted later, shown in other images.

The inlet for the oil cooler can just be made out in the 'root' of the wing.  Also, note the substantial landing gear; these aircraft were designed to take punishment from Chinese cadet pilots on rough airfields.

This image of the Winjeel near Benalla evokes the poet A. B. Paterson's '...vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended'.  There are many reasons why Australia is the 'lucky country', and one of them is the freedom for anyone to fly in historic military aircraft, reasonably affordably, with few restrictions, all year round.

The Nanchang's nosewheel can be seen partially exposed in its retracted position. Unlike its 'cousin', the Russian Yak 52, the Nanchang's main landing gear retracts completely into the wing.

Note the extended 'cheese cutter' air brake.  The 'Minor' is a very sleek aircraft, and the air brake is extremely useful in slowing it down for landing.

One wing is folded on the Moth 'Minor'.  It was designed as a 'club' aeroplane, and it is easy to imagine it being towed home behind a 1930's vintage car to be stored in the garage at home!

It is significant that things were so desperate for Australia during World War Two that this aircraft was 'impressed' into the Royal Australian Air Force for service, along with 42 'new build' Minors specifically for military duty.

A large amount of craftsmanship (and money!) went into restoring the Minor's wings, which were in poor condition.  New main spars were made by Graham Potts, who along with Bert Perssons rebuilt the wing ribs.  The raised trailing edge structure lifts up to enable the aircraft's wings to be folded back.

The start of a six-year project.  Restoring the fuselage was relatively easy, but the wings were in bad shape and had to be completely rebuilt using new wood.

In military training, the student occupied the left seat while the long-suffering instructor sat in the right.  Each pilot has his own set of flight instruments, with the engine instruments grouped in the middle of the panel.  A set of engine controls sits to the left of each pilot.

The wing flaps are not normally extended for takeoffs in the Winjeel.  It flies off at about 60 knots, then is accelerated to climb at 85 knots.

The Winjeel's extensive wing flaps are shown to good effect here.  The Winjeel lands at about 75 knots.