de Havilland Tiger Moth

de Havilland Tiger Moth
Name	de Havilland Tiger Moth
Caption	A Tiger Moth in flight
Type	Biplane trainer aircraft
Manufacturer	de Havilland
Designer	Geoffrey de Havilland
First flight	26 October 1931
Introduction	1932
Retired	1959 (Royal Air Force)
Primary user	Royal Air Force
Number built	8,868
Developed from	de Havilland DH.60 Moth
Developed into	de Havilland DH.82 Queen Bee

de Havilland Tiger Moth. The de Havilland Tiger Moth is a classic British biplane that served as the primary trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force and numerous other air forces for decades. Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland as a development of the earlier de Havilland DH.60 Moth, its robust construction, forgiving handling, and open-cockpit design made it an ideal platform for teaching a generation of pilots. Its service spanned from the pre-war years through the Second World War and beyond, with thousands built and many surviving as cherished warbirds and aerobatic performers.

Design and development

The aircraft was conceived at the de Havilland factory in Stag Lane Aerodrome as a direct successor to the company's highly successful de Havilland DH.60 Moth. The chief designer, Geoffrey de Havilland, along with key engineers like Arthur Ernest Hagg, sought to create a more capable trainer that addressed the Royal Air Force's need for a machine suitable for instrument flying and recovery from spins. The most significant modification from the de Havilland DH.60 Moth was the repositioning of the centre section struts to allow for easier emergency egress, a change requested by the Air Ministry. It was powered by the reliable de Havilland Gipsy Major inverted inline engine, which improved the pilot's forward view and simplified maintenance. The prototype, designated the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth, first flew on 26 October 1931 from Stag Lane Aerodrome, piloted by Hubert Broad.

Operational history

Upon its introduction in 1932, it was rapidly adopted by the Royal Air Force's RAF Flying Training Command, becoming the standard elementary trainer throughout the British Empire. During the Second World War, it was the cornerstone of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, training tens of thousands of pilots for the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and other allied nations across facilities like RAF Cranwell and in Canada, Australia, and Rhodesia. Beyond training, it served in secondary roles such as liaison aircraft, glider tugs, and even for clandestine operations with the Special Operations Executive. After the war, it remained in military service with countries like the Royal New Zealand Air Force and saw extensive use in civil aviation for aerial spraying, banner towing, and as a private aircraft.

Variants

The primary production model was the de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth, which featured a strengthened structure and a de Havilland Gipsy Major I engine. A dedicated radio-controlled target drone version, the de Havilland DH.82B Queen Bee, was built for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The de Havilland Canada factory produced the DH.82C Tiger Moth, modified with a cockpit enclosure, skis, and a de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C engine for the harsh Canadian climate. Other variants included the de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (Mk.II) for the Royal Navy, and post-war civilian conversions often fitted with more powerful engines like the Cirrus Major or Gipsy Queen.

Operators

Its military operators were vast, spanning the globe and including the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the air forces of South Africa, India, and Portugal. Post-war, many were sold to emerging air forces in nations such as Israel, Burma, and Iraq. In the civilian realm, it became a staple of aero clubs worldwide, with notable operators like the Royal Aero Club and countless private owners. It was also used by government agencies like the Royal Aircraft Establishment and for agricultural work across Europe and North America.

Survivors and aircraft on display

Hundreds of airframes remain airworthy today, celebrated at events like the Royal International Air Tattoo and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Many are preserved in major museums, including the Imperial War Museum Duxford, the Royal Air Force Museum London, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Notable individual aircraft include those flown by famous pilots like Amy Johnson and examples that participated in historic events such as the Battle of Britain. Restoration projects are actively undertaken by organizations like the Shuttleworth Collection and the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society.

Specifications (Tiger Moth)

* **Crew:** 2 (student and instructor) * **Length:** 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m) * **Wingspan:** 29 ft 4 in (8.94 m) * **Height:** 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) * **Empty weight:** 1,115 lb (506 kg) * **Gross weight:** 1,825 lb (828 kg) * **Powerplant:** 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Major I inverted inline 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, 130 hp (97 kW) * **Maximum speed:** 109 mph (175 km/h, 95 kn) at 1,000 ft (300 m) * **Range:** 302 mi (486 km, 262 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 13,600 ft (4,100 m) * **Rate of climb:** 673 ft/min (3.42 m/s)

Category:Biplane aircraft Category:Trainer aircraft Category:British aircraft