Collection Highlights

De Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth

Artifact no.: 1967.0651 


Highlights:

  • A British biplane used primarily as a training aircraft by the RAF and RCAF, it became one of the best-known trainers of the Second World War
  • More than 1,400 Tiger Moths were manufactured in Canada and many were sold for civilian use after the war (some were still being flown in 2010)
  • Canadian-built models were specifically modified (e.g., with wheel-brakes and a tail wheel) for the Canadian landscape
  • Almost identical to the Menasco Moth: the latter has a Canadian-built frame fitted with an American-built Menasco engine
  • First flight was in October 1931

Image Gallery:

 

History:

The Tiger Moth was first and foremost a military trainer and was used mainly for elementary pilot training in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan . Modifications were made to the basic design to adapt it better to Canadian conditions. Many Canadian Tiger Moths were sold as war surplus and some are still flying in the 1990s.

Canadian-built Tiger Moths were modified by adding wheel-brakes, a tail-wheel, a stronger undercarriage with the wheels set slightly forward, and a cockpit that could be closed by a sliding hood. One of the best known trainers in Second World War, the Tiger Moth was used by the air forces of Britain, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Iraq, New Zealand, Persia, Portugal, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and Sweden. Many flying clubs were re-equipped after Second World War with surplus Tiger Moths, some of which were bought for as little as $25 (without instruments).

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Purchase

This Tiger Moth was built by de Havilland Canada in 1941. It served with the RCAF until May 1942, when it crashed and was retired from service. In 1943, the damaged aircraft was transferred to the Department of Transport, where it remained until the end of the Second World War in 1945. After the war the Tiger Moth was transferred between several private owners but was never repaired. The Museum acquired the incomplete aircraft in 1962.

Technical Information:

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 544 kg (1,200 lb)
Weight, Gross 828 kg (1,825 lb)
Cruising Speed 145 km/h (90 mph)
Max Speed 172 km/h (107 mph)
Rate of Climb 229 m (750 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 4,450 m (14,600 ft)
Range 443 km (275 mi)
Crew two
Power Plant one de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C, 145 hp, inverted in-line engine