Moss M.A.2
Encyclopedia
The Moss M.A.2 was a British light two-seat low-winged sporting monoplane of the 1930s.
Ltd factory in Chorley
, Lancashire
, England. It was of wooden construction and initially had two open cockpits, but was converted prewar to a two-seat side-by-side cabin layout.
in 1941, being the lowest powered aircraft to do so to date. It was flown to the Canadian east coast and down into the U.S.A.
After storage, it was shipped back to the U.K. in 1947. It was flown in the 1949 Kings Cup Air Race by W.H.Moss and in the 1950 race by G.F.Bullen. It was sold to the Fairwood Flying Group based at Swansea Airport
in September 1953, who continued to fly the aircraft until it crashed 10 miles south of Builth Wells
, Mid-Wales, on 7 July 1958.
A second M.A.2 was built prewar, but not completed. It was found at Chorley in 1964 and a project to complete it is under way.
Design and construction
The Moss M.A.2 was designed and built in 1939 at the Moss Brothers AircraftMoss Brothers Aircraft
Moss Brothers Aircraft Ltd was an English aircraft manufacturer and repairer which was active between 1936 and the mid 1950s.-Formation:The company was formed on 1 January 1936 with a registered address at 45 Ashfield Road, Chorley. The aims of the company were "the design, manufacture and repair...
Ltd factory in Chorley
Chorley
Chorley is a market town in Lancashire, in North West England. It is the largest settlement in the Borough of Chorley. The town's wealth came principally from the cotton industry...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England. It was of wooden construction and initially had two open cockpits, but was converted prewar to a two-seat side-by-side cabin layout.
Flying career
The first M.A.2 G-AFMS was demonstrated at Heathrow aerodrome in May 1939. After flying in the U.K. it was shipped to Canada, where it became CF-BUB. It was flown over the Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
in 1941, being the lowest powered aircraft to do so to date. It was flown to the Canadian east coast and down into the U.S.A.
After storage, it was shipped back to the U.K. in 1947. It was flown in the 1949 Kings Cup Air Race by W.H.Moss and in the 1950 race by G.F.Bullen. It was sold to the Fairwood Flying Group based at Swansea Airport
Swansea Airport
Swansea Airport is an airport located at Fairwood Common on the Gower Peninsula west south-west of Swansea, Wales.-Operations:Swansea Airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
in September 1953, who continued to fly the aircraft until it crashed 10 miles south of Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Builth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
, Mid-Wales, on 7 July 1958.
A second M.A.2 was built prewar, but not completed. It was found at Chorley in 1964 and a project to complete it is under way.