de Havilland DH 82C Tiger Moth
Flown for the first time on October 26, 1931, the Tiger Moth was derived from the DH 60 Moth. The Moth design, with the fuel tank directly above the front cockpit, restricted cockpit access for air force pilots wearing a parachute. The solution was to move the upper wing forward and sweep the wings back for correct positioning of the centre of lift. Initially the DH 82 was powered by a 120 hp Gipsy III engine, but the DH 82A received the 130 hp Gipsy Major. More than 1,000 Tiger Moths were delivered before World War 2, and subsequently 4,005 were built in the U.K. and shipped all over the world; 1,747 were built in Canada between 1938 and 1942, 1,085 in Australia and 345 in New Zealand.
The first Canadian-produced Tiger Moth flew in December 1937, with some being powered by the Menasco engine. The majority were DH 82Cs, powered by the 140 hp DH Gipsy Major 1C engine and with enclosed cockpits, cockpit heaters, brakes and tail wheels. Other changes to make them more suitable for operation in Canada included wider walkways on the lower wings, mass-balanced ailerons, metal interplane struts and heavier axles.
The Tiger Moth was a basic trainer with the BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) during WW2, whereby aircrew from all over the British Commonwealth trained in Canada; and with the RAF in India, South Africa and elsewhere. In 1940, there were 120 Tiger Moths based at Boundary Bay, near Vancouver, BC.
Restoration of this airplane was accomplished under the first grant ever received from the British Columbia Provincial Government in 1983. The airplane was built up from a small pile of bare frames and parts, employing laid off apprentice aircraft mechanics under the direction of Harry Fordham and Bill McGarrigle. This is the Canadian version and accurate for the type.
In 1999 the volunteers of the Canadian Museum of Flight restored the static Tiger Moth to airworthy condition. At that time the RCAF numbers on the side of the aircraft were changed from 5875 (original number) to 4236 in memory of Ted Harris, a museum member / volunteer who sadly passed away before the Tiger Moth once again took to the skies. Tiger Moth 4236 was the first aircraft in which Mr. Harris soloed.
The Tiger Moth is one of the Museums flight worthy aircraft and can be seen at many events around the Lower Mainland of Vancouver promoting our rich Canadian history.
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