De Havilland Moth and Tiger Moth: books - history

De Havilland Moths: A Family Album

The de Havilland Moth family of aircraft are known the world over for their fundamental importance towards the development of the practical and affordable light aeroplane.

Despite first emerging in 1925, many can still be found flying today. Perhaps best known is the DH.82 Tiger Moth biplane use as a trainer in World War II.
However, a great number of different models were encompassed under the Moth name, from the original DH.60 Cirrus Moth to the clean lines of the DH.94 Moth Minor. Along the way were types such as the passenger carrying Giant Moth and the elegant Puss Moth.

This book traces the Moth family through all of the different types using photographs from the author's own extensive collection, as well as archive images and materials to bring the full story to life.

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Tiger! - The DH82 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 from the Tiger's amazing longevity - first flown in 1931, the Tiger Moth was still active in military service in the 1960s, when Royal Navy Tigers were flying on and off aircraft carriers.
Easy to fly, but difficult to fly well, from the first the Tiger was a trainer but it has 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 8000 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.
This richly illustrated book, written by a known De Havilland expert, tells the whole Tiger Moth story.

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The De Havilland DH.60 Moth

In this book Stuart McKay tells the story of the ground-breaking DH.60 Moth, an aircraft that was to set new standards and which is still in use today. Developed from the DH.51 biplane, the DH.60 included innovative features, such as folding wings. The new plane coincided with the establishment of the first Royal Aero Club flying schools and the DH.60 was quickly sought after as a trainer.

This comprehensive book covers everything that the enthusiast will need to know about the various types of DH.60. These include the basic DH.60 (1925), DH.60 Cirrus Moth, DH.60G Gipsy Moth, DH.60G Racing Moth, DH.60X, DH.60M Metal Moth, DH.60T Moth Trainer, DH.60T Tiger Moth (which became the more familiar DH.82 Tiger Moth in 1931), DH.60GIII Moth and DH.60GIII Moth Major.

The author charts the ongoing successes of the aircraft, including record-breaking long-distance flights (such as the flight by Amy Johnson in a Gipsy Moth from England to Australia in 1930), height records, speed records and successes in racing.

Soon the plane was adapted with floats and skis for use on water and was used for film work. Not surprisingly, such an adaptable aircraft soon attracted the attention of the military and the DH.60 was used as a trainer and adapted for military use as the Tiger Moth. It was also popular with Commonwealth and foreign military forces.

The book also covers the use of the DH.60 in the post-war era and provides a list of the surviving aircraft worldwide.

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