De Havilland DH.82a Tiger Moth, 1:72, Airfix
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The De Havilland Aircraft Company DH82 Tiger Moth was one of the last versions of the successful Moth family, which began in 1925 with the DH60 Cirrus Moth. In fact, the DH82 Tiger Moth owes its existence to the DH71 Tiger Moth, a single-seat research monoplane that first flew in 1927 and only 2 were built.
Important changes were made to previous Moths in the series, such as improved access to the front cockpit, due to the RAF requirement that the passenger in the front seat of training aircraft must be able to escape easily, particularly when wearing a parachute.
Access had always been compromised by the aircraft's fuel tank, which was mounted directly above the forward cockpit. This, combined with the positioning of the rear Caba struts for the upper wing, had always attracted criticism. The answer was to move the upper wing forward but increase the sweep to maintain the same lift. This required a strengthened fuselage structure, the introduction of fold-down half doors on either side of the cockpit, and a new exhaust system.
The prototype DH82 Tiger Moth E-6 (later G-ABRC) first flew on 26 October 1931 at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware, London, with De Havilland Aircraft Company's chief test pilot Hubert Broad.
Shortly after specification T.23/31 was issued, construction of 35 production aircraft for the RAF (K2567-K2601) began. In addition, two float-equipped seaplanes (S1675 and S1676) were also built, built to specification T.6/33. Intended from the outset for a training role, the DH82 Tiger Moth received the inverted Gipsy III engine.
The initial order for 35 dual-control aircraft was quickly followed by another for a further 50, powered by the DH Gipsy Major 1 engine. These were known as DH82a or to the RAF "Tiger Moth II".
In February 1932 the DH Tiger Moth entered service at the RAF Central Flying School at RAF Upavon, Wiltshire.
(Source: BAE Systems, slightly adapted)
