de Havilland Tiger Moth / Menasco Moth

Overview

The DH 82 Tiger Moth was the last in a long line of biplanes built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd. The Tiger Moth first entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1931 and became the standard elementary trainer for the next two decades. The Royal Canadian Air Force adopted the type in 1938 and it also became the standard ab-initio trainer at the Canadian Elementary Flying Training Schools under the British Commonwealth Training Plan. Canadian production aircraft differed slightly from the British versions and featured a two-piece cowling, heated cockpits and large sliding canopies. A shortage of the original 145 horsepower Gipsy Major engines further led to some Canadian versions being equipped with 160 horsepower Menasco Pirate engines and this sub-type was often referred to as a Menasco Moth. The type was generally well liked by pilots and could be used for aerobatic training as well as blind flying instruction.

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical Specifications

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.