De Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth

de Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth

Company type	Aircraft
Industry	Aviation
Founded	1927
Headquarters	Hatfield , United Kingdom
Products	Racing and experimental aircraft

For the later biplane Tiger Moth, see de Havilland Tiger Moth.

Design and development

The de Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth was a British single-seat monoplane created to investigate high-speed flight and to evaluate alternative engines for the Cirrus series. Only two units were constructed.

This aircraft was a low-wing monoplane derivative of the earlier Moth biplanes, featuring stressed plywood skinning. The cockpit layout was tailored specifically for its test pilot, Hubert Broad, aiming to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency; consequently, the fuselage sides were angled outward to fit his shoulder width. The Tiger Moth employed a fixed conventional undercarriage with a tail skid. The initial aircraft, registered G-EBQU, took its maiden flight from Stag Lane Aerodrome on 24 June 1927 and was powered by an 85 hp ADC Cirrus II engine to assess its flight handling. Subsequently, this engine was replaced with Major Halford’s prototype powerplant, later designated the de Havilland Gipsy. The second airframe, G-EBRV, equipped with a Cirrus engine, first flew on 28 July 1927.

Operational history

Both Tiger Moths were entered in the 1927 King's Cup Race held at Hucknall on 30 July; however, 'QU was withdrawn prior to the event, while Broad piloted 'RV but retired due to control difficulties.

In August 1927, Broad piloted G-EBQU over a 62-mile (100 km) closed circuit, establishing a new Class III Light Aircraft speed record of 186.47 mph (300.09 km/h). Five days later, he attempted to set an altitude record for its class by reaching 19,191 ft (5,849 m) without supplementary oxygen. For these record trials, the aircraft was fitted with modified wings that had a reduced span of 19 ft.

In 1930, G-EBQU was exported to Australia and registered as VH-UNH. On 17 September that year, it crashed during practice for an air race after an engine failure, resulting in the death of pilot David Smith. The second airframe was displayed outside de Havilland’s Hatfield factory in Hertfordshire for some time before being destroyed during an air raid on 3 October 1940.

Between 1994 and 2024, Steve Jones built a replica registered G-ECDX, which is currently operational and flying in the United Kingdom.

Specifications (G-EBRV)

File:DH 71 3-view NACA Aircraft Circular 57.jpg

Three-view illustration of the DH 71 from NACA Aircraft Circular 57

External links

• Footage of Michael Maniatis' fully operational, full-scale DH.71 Tiger Moth racing aircraft replica