De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth
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The de Havilland DH 82 was a 1930s two tandem seat training and touring biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland as a refinement of his DH 60 Gipsy Moth with the military in mind. The major changes to the DH 60 were the upper wing being brought forward to allow an Instructor access to the front seat wearing a parachute, and both upper and lower wings swept aft to retain the centre of lift position relative to the CofG.
The prototype of the DH 82a Tiger Moth first flew on October 26 1931, and when production ceased in 1945 8,868 of the aircraft had been produced. That included 1,424 at de Havilland's Stag Lane - 3,433 at Morris Motors - 1,548 at de Havilland (Canada) and 1,070 at de Havilland (Australia). Also, de Havilland (New Zealand) Sweden Portugal and Norway produced the aircraft in lesser quantities. The massive world wide Empire Air Training Scheme set up to provide trained air crew for the war effort had designated the DH 82a as the primary training aircraft, and the RAAF used many in a training role themselves.
General Motors produced the de Havilland Gipsy Major engines that powered the Australian built aircraft at their works in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne.
Post War, the DH 82a Tiger Moth continued to be used by the RAAF as their primary training aircraft until superceded by the CA-25 Winjeel in the mid 1950s when they were being retired and offered for sale to the public. A large number were purchased by Aero Clubs and commercial Flying Schools that allowed these organisations to expand their operations, and in Australia and some other countries world wide, quite a number are still airworthy and being flown by their owners.
The Museum's DH 82a Tiger Moth served with the RAAF as A17-377 and post War was used by Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) as a hands on apprentice airframe maintenance training aid until 1985 when it was donated to the Museum. It has since undergone a complete restoration program over eight years and is now on display.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 2
Power plant 1 x 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 1, 4 cylinder inverted inline engine.
Length : 23'11'' (7.29m) Wingspan : 29'04'' (8.94m) Height : 8'09'' (2.69m)
Weights : empty - 1,115lbs (506kg) maximum - 1,825lbs (828kg)
Speeds : maximum - 95kt (109mph) (175km/hr) cruise - 75kt (90mph) (145km/hr)
Range : 300 miles (485km)
The prototype of the DH 82a Tiger Moth first flew on October 26 1931, and when production ceased in 1945 8,868 of the aircraft had been produced. That included 1,424 at de Havilland's Stag Lane - 3,433 at Morris Motors - 1,548 at de Havilland (Canada) and 1,070 at de Havilland (Australia). Also, de Havilland (New Zealand) Sweden Portugal and Norway produced the aircraft in lesser quantities. The massive world wide Empire Air Training Scheme set up to provide trained air crew for the war effort had designated the DH 82a as the primary training aircraft, and the RAAF used many in a training role themselves.
General Motors produced the de Havilland Gipsy Major engines that powered the Australian built aircraft at their works in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne.
Post War, the DH 82a Tiger Moth continued to be used by the RAAF as their primary training aircraft until superceded by the CA-25 Winjeel in the mid 1950s when they were being retired and offered for sale to the public. A large number were purchased by Aero Clubs and commercial Flying Schools that allowed these organisations to expand their operations, and in Australia and some other countries world wide, quite a number are still airworthy and being flown by their owners.
The Museum's DH 82a Tiger Moth served with the RAAF as A17-377 and post War was used by Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) as a hands on apprentice airframe maintenance training aid until 1985 when it was donated to the Museum. It has since undergone a complete restoration program over eight years and is now on display.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 2
Power plant 1 x 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 1, 4 cylinder inverted inline engine.
Length : 23'11'' (7.29m) Wingspan : 29'04'' (8.94m) Height : 8'09'' (2.69m)
Weights : empty - 1,115lbs (506kg) maximum - 1,825lbs (828kg)
Speeds : maximum - 95kt (109mph) (175km/hr) cruise - 75kt (90mph) (145km/hr)
Range : 300 miles (485km)