Aircraft overview

The De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a two seat, tandem cockpit biplane designed by de Havilland in Britain as a primary military trainer. The DH 82 first flew in 1931, with production running through the 1930s and wartime years, including large scale manufacture of the DH 82A Tiger Moth in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries. Its importance comes from its role as a standard elementary trainer for the Royal Air Force and many Commonwealth air forces, introducing thousands of pilots to tailwheel, open cockpit, stick and rudder flying.

Performance & specifications

Typical DH 82A performance is modest by modern touring aircraft standards, but well matched to vintage training and local recreational flying. A representative cruise speed is about 85 knots, with a range of roughly 250 to 300 nautical miles depending on fuel, propeller, weight and operating technique. Published service ceiling figures are commonly around 13,600 feet. The DH 82A is powered by the de Havilland Gipsy Major I, an inverted inline four cylinder engine rated at 130 hp. Typical maximum takeoff weight is about 1,825 lb, with useful load around 700 lb, although individual aircraft can vary after restoration, re covering and equipment changes.

Cabin & avionics

The Tiger Moth has two open cockpits in tandem, with the instructor normally in the rear seat and the student or passenger in front. There is no cabin in the modern sense: wind protection is by small windscreens, and cockpit access is over the side. Controls are simple and conventional, with basic flight and engine instruments. Original aircraft did not have modern avionics suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective. Many flying examples now use period style instruments supplemented by a handheld or compact panel radio, intercom, Mode S transponder, portable GPS or emergency locator equipment, subject to local airworthiness rules.

Buying & value

Buyers should evaluate a De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth as a historic aircraft, not as a practical cross country platform. Key checks include airframe provenance, logbook continuity, quality and date of fabric covering, wood and metal structure condition, wing rigging, landing gear, control cables, fuel system, and Gipsy Major engine history. Common distinctions include early DH 82 aircraft, the more numerous DH 82A, and Canadian built aircraft with cold weather and configuration differences. Sensible upgrades often focus on safety, radios and engine reliability while preserving originality. On PlaneFox, current asking prices average about EUR 73,000, with observed listings from approximately EUR 62,000 to EUR 116,000, reflecting condition, authenticity, restoration standard and documentation.