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- Tiger! The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth
Alongside the Spitfire and Lancaster, the DH82 Tiger Moth biplane is one of the few aircraft that even the non-enthusiast can identify at first glance.
This recognition comes in part the Tiger's amazing longevity--first flown in 1931, the Tiger Moth was still in active military service in the 1960s, when Royal Navy Tigers were flying on and off aircraft carriers. Easy to fly, but difficult to fly well, the Tiger was first used as a trainer but it had also been used as glider tug, crop sprayer, film "stunt" plane and wing walker platform. In 1940 Tiger Moths were even fitted with anti-personnel bombs and the Tiger also flew on floats and from catapult launchers.
With over 8,000 built, the Tiger saw service with almost every British and Commonwealth air force, as well as being exported to air forces in South America, the Middle East and the Pacific. The Tiger also saw service in civilian flying clubs around the world and even today, at least 250 Tiger Moths remain airworthy.
Pages: 304
Size: 8.875 X 11.25 (inches)
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Crecy Publishing
ISBN: 9780859791823
Product Code: AD182
Stuart McKay, MBE
Stuart McKay learned to fly on a Gipsy Major powered Beagle terrier 2 at White Waltham in 1963 and beginning in 1966, built a Jodel D.9 Bebe single seat monoplane, G-AVPD, whose maiden flight was from Heathrow to Booker on June 14, 1969.
Keen to be associated with Tiger Moths since his teens, late in 1970 he found himself in the enviable position of acquiring the redundant glider tug F-BGJE from Aero Club les Ailes Basques. The airplane was collected from Biarritz during Easter 1971 and returned to England after an epic journey by lorry.
As founding Secretary of the de Havilland Moth Club (February 1975) it was ironic that little time could be devoted to the newly registered G-AZZZ and the overhaul could not be completed (by professional hands) until December 4, 1998 when the Tiger Moth flew from Langham airfield.
The author is Editor of the de Havilland Moth Club's magazine The Moth and Secretary of the Club and Manager of the annual International Moth Rally held at Woburn Abbey. In recognition of his services to the Club he was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Toyal Aero Club in 1984 and appointed MBE in 1997. In 2010 he was awarded an Honorary Master of Science degree by the University of Hertfordshire.
