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The De Havilland DH51 is a three seat touring aircraft whose appearance clearly presages the famous Moth series. It is however a much earlier machine (dating from about 1923) and much bigger (26 feet 6 inches long, 37 feet wing span) and heavier (gross weight 2,240lb). It is powered by a 120hp Airdisco engine, which gives it a 90mph cruising speed. Only three were built, of which I think this is the only survivor, having flown for many years in Kenya.

This picture was taken at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden in Bedfordshire, where it is preserved in flying condition.

The De Havilland DH53 Humming Bird is a minuscule single seater, built for the 1923 light aeroplane trials at Lympne. It is powered, just, by an ABC Scorpion engine, though there were various options including a tiny 26hp 700cc Blackburn Tomtit! (How it ever flew on that power is a complete mystery). It is a true ultralight, with maximum weight of only 565lb. But the dimensions, true to its era, are quite generous, being 19 feet 8 inches long and having a wing span of 30 feet 1 inch. It cruised at a sedate 60 mph and had the amazing range of 150 miles. Fuel capacity was measured in pints rather than gallons! Fifteen were built.

This one is preserved at the Shuttleworth Trust, Old Warden, where it was photographed by Ivy in April 2005.

The De Havilland DH60G Moth was the design which did more than any other to create a proper light aircraft industry in Britain. The Lympne trials were great fun but did not produce any really practical machines. A specification was drawn up with help from pioneer Alan Cobham, which included things which are now obvious: for example, must be a two seater, must have luggage space, must be simple to operate and maintain .... The task of meeting this specification was fulfilled admirably by this delightful and sprightly machine. It first flew in February 1925, and was an instant success. All told, 2,073 were built, an unprecedented number for a civil machine. There were several versions, differing mainly in engine. The initial Moths had ADC Cirrus engines, ranging from 60 to 90hp. 113 of these were built, plus a further 338 known as the `DH60X' because of their X-shaped undercarriage bracing struts. The DH60G Gipsy Moth had the DH Gipsy engine, developed specially for the type and first installed in 1927, and rated from 85 to 125hp; 692 of these were built, plus a further 753 as the DH60M with a metal rather than wood frame to the fuselage. The Moth Major is powered by the same engine but mounted `upside down' (we would today think of it as the right way up!) which gave greater propeller clearance and made it look a bit like a straight-winged Tiger Moth (no coincidence!); 113 of these were made. It is 23 feet 8 inches long, with a wing span of 30 feet; typical cruising speed is 85mph. Range varies from 290 to 430 miles, and gross weight from 1,240 to 1,750lb, depending on version.

Many survive, most lovingly cared for and maintained. These two pictures both show DH60Ms, the top one at Popham in May 1987 and the lower at Turweston in July 2005.

The De Havilland DH80A Puss Moth had an enclosed cabin for greater comfort, and a single high wing for better downward visibility. It first flew in September 1929. It also took advantage of the `inverted' Gipsy engine to improve forward visibility and reduce undercarriage height, making it easier to get into. It was very popular, with 285 ultimately being built. It is a two seater, with gross weight of 2,050lb, 25 feet long, with a wing span of 36 feet 9 inches. Its cleaner lines increased the cruising speed to 105mph. Range was 300 miles. An interesting feature is that the wings fold for easier storage.

Only a few survive, of which this is one of the nicest; it was at Cranfield in July 1983.

The De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth is probably the best known of all De Havilland aircraft. It was developed from the DH60T Moth Trainer, the biggest difference being to move the centre wing struts forward to improve ease of entry and exit; to preserve the centre of lift, the wings therefore had to be slightly swept back. It first flew as such in September 1931.  Little could the designers know that this was the first of over 8,850 to be built! It was promptly put into production as the standard RAF trainer, and it continued as such throughout the second world war. Its Gipsy Major engine (130 to 145hp) gave it a cruising speed of 85mph, range of 300 miles and gross weight of 1,825lb. It is 23 feet 11 inches long, with a wing span of 29 feet 4 inches. And it is an utter delight to fly ... as long as you remember the rudder (which pilots of modern Pipers and Cessnas are understandably apt to forget).

This picture of two Tigers taking off in formation was taken at Popham in May 1987.

The De Havilland DH83 Fox Moth has what now appears a very unusual configuration, with an enclosed cabin for four passengers, and the pilot sitting in an open cockpit above and behind. This had, however, been quite normal before for larger airliners. The Fox Moth was really intended for short pleasure flights. It first flew in March 1932, and revealed surprisingly good performance given its 120hp DH Gipsy engine. Its cost was kept down by using a lot of Tiger Moth components. Not surprisingly, its dimensions are fairly similar: it is only 25 feet 9 inches long, with a wing span of 30 feet 10 inches. Gross weight is 2,070lb (with empty weight of 1,100lb and five people, this doesn't leave much room for fuel! Still, when lightly loaded, it does have a 360 mile range. It was popular for its job; 98 were built.

This is one of the few survivors, seen in a very poor photograph taken at Cranfield.

The De Havilland DH85 Leopard Moth first flew in May 1933 as a more refined successor to the Puss Moth. It is easily told from the earlier type by the mounting of the undercarriage struts (for easier access) and from below by the tapered wing. Internally, the main difference is that it is a three seater. Its 130hp Gipsy Major engine (starting to sound familiar?) gave it a cruising speed of 120mph and range of over 700 miles, with gross weight of 2,225lb. It is very slightly shorter (24 feet 6 inches) and wider (37 feet 6 inches) than its predecessor. 123 were built.

This one was at Leicester in July 1980.

I will now be vilified by all Moth purists by asserting that the De Havilland DH87B Hornet Moth is the prettiest of all the Moth range. It originated as a replacement for the Gipsy Moth, and incorporated a large number of refinements. It is a side by side two seater with an enclosed cabin, which first flew in May 1934. The `A' version had tapered wings, but these gave it rather unpleasant handling at the stall, so the square-tipped `B' version was produced to cure the problem. Obviously the refinements made it cost more, and this is probably why only 165 were built. Its familiar 130 or 145hp DH Gipsy Major engine gives it a cruising speed of 110mph and range of over 600 miles, while gross weight is 2,000lb. It is 24 feet 11 inches long, with wing span of 31 feet 11 inches.

The top picture was taken at the Moth Club rally at Woburn Abbey in August 1987. `Ariadne' (G-ADNE), in the lower picture, was at Kemble in July 2005.

The De Havilland DH88 Comet Racer took sleek aircraft beauty to a new level. Actually it was designed in rather a hurry. The governor of the state of Victoria in Australia sponsored an air race from England to Melbourne, to be held in October 1934 to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the State of Victoria. De Havilland realised that no British aircraft of the time had the necessary performance to compete, so in February 1934 they began to design a machine from scratch, specially for the purpose. It first flew in September 1934, only six weeks before the race. Obviously in that time the designers did not have time to get all the details perfect, so the handling was not as good as it could have been. But it did the job. Its two 230hp DH Gipsy Six engines tore it through the sky at up to 235mph, but were economical enough (with the help of very big fuel tanks) to give it the then enormous range of 2,925 miles. Other novel refinements, introduced solely to try and win the race, were variable pitch propellers and a retractable undercarriage. Split flaps were incorporated to make it possible to land! Three were entered for the race and this one, named `Grosvenor House' because it was sponsored by the Duke of Westminster, won - taking just under 71 hours to go essentially half way round the world. The crew were C.W. A. Scott and Tom Campbell Black.

Although only five were built, this aircraft deserves its place in the all time hall of aviation fame. This is the only survivor. The top picture shows it flying at Old Warden, where it is preserved, in 1991. The lower picture was taken at Farnborough in 1986.

The De Havilland DH94 Moth Minor was the last of the Moth series and the only low wing monoplane Moth (barring the DH81, which never made it into production). It is a two seat open cockpit aircraft. It first flew in June 1937. Power is a 90hp DH Gipsy Minor engine, which enables it to cruise at 100mph for a range of 300 miles. It is quite light, at 1,550lb gross weight; is 24 feet 5 inches long and 36 feet 7 inches wing span. A total of 118 were built, several of which were completed as Moth Minor Coupes with an enclosed cabin.

This one was at Redhill in September 1985.