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common History of Tiger Moths:
Why the name?
This classic British trainer is one of a number of models of light aircrafts named for moths in recognition of designer Geoffrey deHavilland´s interest in moths and butterflies.
The de Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth was a enhanced development, based upon the D.H. 60M Gipsy Major.
First flight of the DeHavilland Tiger Moth D.H.82, was in 26th of October 1931. This first aircraft was equipped with the 120 hp Gipsy III, a inverted inline engine.
Later on, the D.H.82A has the stronger Gipsy Major 130hp engine, also a inverted inline and there have been also done some structural changes, that means the replacement of fabric with plywood for the rear fuselage decking and the ability to shroud the rear cockpit for instrument flight training purpose.
8706 each of the fabric covered wooden and steel aircraft were produced with approximately 4200 going to the Royal Airforce, the number of still airworthy way be 250+ worldwide.
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