Flying Fergie!
Published date November 04, 2009
In what has to be one of the most stylish picnic deliveries ever caught on film, a bright red light aircraft flew in from blue autumn skies to bring refreshment to hard-working MF tractor drivers.
This was no ordinary plane. Its livery is dedicated to Harry Ferguson’s historic flight in 1909 when he became the first man to make a powered flight in Ireland. Indeed, 2009 marks two key anniversaries in the history of the inventor, pioneer and co-founder of the Massey Ferguson brand. Not only will 31 December see the centenary of this maiden flight, but 4 November was the 125th anniversary of the great man’s birth on his father’s farm in Northern Ireland.
In honour of Ferguson’s achievements, Pat White, a Massey Ferguson customer from County Tipperary in Eire and himself an aviation enthusiast painted his new plane in MF red. The rear of the aircraft also sports graphics depicting various highlights of Ferguson engineering including the three-point linkage and four-wheel-drive system.
With his drivers out in the field ploughing with MF 6499 tractors, Pat made a spectacular flypast, landed safely and personally delivered their tea and sandwiches!