de Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth

  • Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
  • Uses: Trainer
  • First Flight: October 1931
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

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).

Museum Example

  • Registration #: CF-FGL
  • Manufacturer: de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., Canada
  • Manufacture Date: 1941
  • Construction #: 724
  • Aquisition Date: 1962
  • Provenance: Purchase

The Museum specimen was manufactured by de Havilland Canada in 1941. Having crashed badly in 1942, this aircraft was transferred to the Department of Transport, but did not fly due to its poor condition. After passing through several owners, the by then incomplete aircraft was purchased by the Museum in 1962.

Specifications

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