In the event that U-boat attacks caused a break in supply of British-made engines to Canada, American-built Menasco engines were installed in some Canadian-built Tiger Moths. This is the major difference between the Menasco and Tiger Moths. Because this engine could drive a large generator, most Menasco Moths were used for radio training.
The Menasco engine was not as powerful as the Gypsy engine, resulting in a somewhat reduced performance. This loss of power made the Menasco Moth a less than ideal pilot-training airplane and contributed to the Menasco Moth being used almost exclusively for radio training.
This Menasco Moth was manufactured in 1941, and served as a wireless (telegraphy) trainer with No. 1 Wireless School in Winnipeg. In 1943, it was converted to a basic training aircraft and transferred to No. 5 Air Observer School in Winnipeg. After the war it was placed in storage in Manitoba until 1962, when it became part of the RCAF's historic aircraft collection at Rockcliffe airport.
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Wing Span | 8.9 m (29 ft 4 in) |
Length | 7.4 m (24 ft 2 in) |
Height | 2.7 m (8 ft 9 1/2 in) |
Weight, Empty | 557 kg (1,229 lb) |
Weight, Gross | 828 kg (1,825 lb) |
Cruising Speed | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
Max Speed | 155 km/h (96 mph) |
Rate of Climb | 183 m (600 ft) /min |
Service Ceiling | 3,660 m (12,000 ft) |
Range | 322 km (200 mi) |
Power Plant | one Menasco D.4 Super Pirate, 125 hp, inverted in-line engine |