1945 de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth - N16645
The DeHavilland DH82A Tiger Moth was designed as a dual control British military trainer. It is fitted with Handley Page automatic leading edge wing slats on the upper wing to increase its slow speed lift. On top of the fuselage are airfoil fixtures designed to improve spin recovery. These features make it easy to fly and a very forgiving trainer. Between 1931-1945, production figures for the model exceeded 10,000. During WWII, most Royal Air Force pilots were trained in this aircraft. Tiger Moths performed additional roles including submarine patrol, air ambulance and even prisoner evacuation.
The Tiger Moth was produced at the DeHavilland Hatfield plant outside of London, England. The British version features a tailskid and twin magnetos. Notice on the outside of the cockpit, the two magneto switches. These switches allowed mechanics to more easily start the plane when warming it up. Also notice, as this is a British plane, the propeller turns clockwise as viewed from the front.
The top wing of the Tiger Moth is swept backward. The fuel tank is located in the center section of the upper wing, which has hinge points for folding the wings. The wings are of fabric over spruce construction, and the fuselage is fabric over steel tubing with a metal cowl. The deHavilland logo appears on the hubcaps. This plane received a full restoration in England before being imported to the United States.
Donated By: Bernice M. Dohm, Loranger, LA.
dehavilland_DH82A Table of Contents
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