De Havilland Tiger Moth

DH.82 Tiger Moth
A Tiger Moth in 1989
General information
Type	Trainer
Manufacturer	de Havilland Aircraft Company de Havilland Canada
Designer	Geoffrey de Havilland
Status	In service for civil use
Primary users	Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Australian Air Force Royal New Zealand Air Force
Number built	8,868[1]
History
Manufactured	1931–1944
Introduction date	February 1932[2]
First flight	26 October 1931
Retired	1959
Developed from	de Havilland DH.60 Moth
Variants	Thruxton Jackaroo

The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s British biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other operators as a primary trainer aircraft. In addition to the type's principal use for ab initio training, the Second World War had RAF Tiger Moths operating in other capacities, including maritime surveillance and defensive anti-invasion preparations; some aircraft were even outfitted to function as armed light bombers.

The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until it was replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk during the early 1950s. Many of the military surplus aircraft subsequently entered into civilian operation. Many nations have used the Tiger Moth in both military and civilian applications, and it remains in widespread use as a recreational aircraft. It is still occasionally used as a primary training aircraft, particularly for those pilots wanting to gain experience before moving on to other tailwheel aircraft. Many Tiger Moths are now employed by companies offering trial lesson experiences. The de Havilland Moth club, founded in 1975, is now an owners' association offering a mutual club and technical support.