Andrew Mason has been in the flying game for more than 40 years and has taken his love of aviation to the next level by turning his attention to revitalising warbirds.
From his base at Mildura in Victoria's north-west, the chief flying instructor, agriculture, and firebomber pilot has painstakingly restored a vintage De Havilland Tiger Moth, giving passengers the chance to relive bygone days.
"One of my passions is restoring vintage aircraft … and we've got a few aeroplanes now that we've built up over the years," Mr Mason said.
His Tiger Moth was built in 1942, in Australia, for the Royal Australian Air Force.
It took hard work for Mr Mason to bring the skeleton of an aircraft back to life.
"This plane, when I first got it, was what they call a bare-bones project," he said.
"It was a steel frame and all the hardware … just the nuts and bolts and bits and pieces, and nothing else.
"So we built it up from that to what is today. All the wings are probably better than new, we've used better glues [and] laser-cut ribs in the wings.
"It's come from nothing to what it is now."
Mr Mason said the Tiger Moth had an interesting history.
"Holden was very active in the production area before the first motor cars were put in place."
Mr Mason said vintage plane restoration was an uncommon skill, with the artisans who applied the classic touches becoming an even more exceptional breed.
"The woodwork and fabric that's in this particular plane is a rare talent that's becoming less and less in the aviation industry," he said.
"I had it done by the experts, and they've done an awesome job.
"Parts are getting hard to find, but they are available if you shop around — but you've got to look around fairly hard to get good quality parts."
To be authorised to offer joy flights in the Tiger Moth meant ensuring it was built to modern commercial safety standards.
"This aeroplane is a working aeroplane, so it has to comply with all Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations," Mr Mason said.
"As a result of that the aeroplane's kept in very good condition, and we use it all the time.
Mr Mason's interest in restoring antique planes stems from hearing his father's stories.
"I've always had an interest in warbirds," Mr Mason said.
"My dad was a trainee [and] the war finished before he could go into a fighter squadron.
"There's been an interest in aviation ever since the early days of going over gliding fields with him after the war."
And the passion for warbirds doesn't stop at the Tiger Moth — Mr Mason is in the thick of restoring an all-metal 1942 Harvard, a project that is so far three years old.
"I often tell people I've never worked a day in my life.
"I just go to work and have fun every day."
