Moth aircraft from the film ‘Out of Africa’ to be auctioned

RM Sotheby's will auction the 1929 De Havilland DH60M Gipsy Moth, featured in the Academy Award-winning film Out of Africa, during their auction at the inaugural ModaMiami event in South Florida on 1-2 March 2024.

The film, a 1985 masterpiece by Sydney Pollack, starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and painted a vivid picture of Kenya’s sprawling savannahs and rich cultural tapestry. Undoubtedly, one of the stars of the movie was the iconic yellow Gipsy Moth biplane, piloted by Redford's character, symbolising his love for the African landscape. This memorable aircraft, central to the film’s visual storytelling, was a significant contributor to the movie's multiple Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography.

The 1929 Gipsy Moth G-AAMY, brought to Kenya in 1985 for the film, was flown by Sir Henry Dalrymple-White, a renowned RAF Wing Commander. It was a key part of the film's production, notably stirring a flock of flamingos in a scene that contributed to the film’s cinematic acclaim. The biplane, entirely operational and last inspected for airworthiness in April 2022, boasts a unique American-made steel construction, an adaptation for durability in warmer climates.

“This important initiative will not only help secure the survival of a critically endangered species but will conserve vital biodiversity and pristine wilderness for future generations. The larger plan for interconnectivity with other conservation land will create a vast protected wilderness area and even more positive impact for the people and planet. I couldn't think of a better way to raise funds for this ground-breaking project than through the auction of one of the most iconic airplanes in history, G-AAMY, the 1929 Gipsy Moth biplane featured in the film Out of Africa, in which I starred as Denys Finch Hatton,” said actor Redford.

He added: “This auction represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of cinematic and aviation history while supporting the creation of a rhino sanctuary in Kenya, very near to where the most iconic flying scenes of Out of Africa were filmed, with all proceeds from this sale being donated to the ZEITZ Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety and its invaluable work securing the future of the black rhino, one of the planet’s most endangered species, with approximately only 5,000 rhinos remaining in Africa today.”