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The De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth is a two-seat bi-plane. Developed out of the De Havilland
DH.60 Gipsy Moth as a trainer for the R.A.F., the DH.60T Tiger Moth powered by a 120 hp Gipsy III
engine was tested late summer 1931. The DH.60T was followed soon by improved the DH.82, which flew
first on 26 October 1931. After certification trials the Air Ministry placed an initial order for
35 airframes, K2567-K2601. The De Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth deliveries to the Royal Air Force's 3
Flight Training School started in May 1932. In 1933, the improved DH.82A Tiger Moth II powered by a
130 Gipsy major engine was introduced. Production commenced in 1934. A total of 8492 De Havilland
DH.82 were built, not only in the UK but also in Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Canada, Australia and
New Zealand. The Indian Air Force operated nearly 150 DH.82 and DH.82A Tiger Moth airframes, of
which De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd. manufactured 128 in Australia. The Tiger Moth was in use with
military- and civil flying-schools all over the world.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the
De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth is DH82. |
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In the Dutch aviation register the De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth PH-DLK is given as the 1941-built De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth s/n 85030.
This airframe was built under license by Morris Motors Ltd at Cowley, Oxford, UK, and entered service with the
Fleet Air Arm (FAA) as T6743. After World War II, the aircraft was transferred to the South African Air Force (SAAF)
as 2299. In 1955, after being withdrawn from military service, the Tiger Moth was registered ZS-DLK in South Africa
with AM Venter & partners, Bokfontein. In October 1957, the aircraft was registered with E. Bolt, Rushoop, and in
April 1959 with J.S. Moller, Johannesburg. In December 1959, the ZS-DLK was registered to the Johannesburg Light Plane Club,
Baragwanath. From June 1966 onwards the logbook of the ZS-DLK gives the identity of the De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth
as s/n 83050 (ex T6743; SAAF 2299). Prior June 1966, the airframe of the ZS-DLK was also given as s/n 83912
(ex T5902; SAAF 556), so somewhere along the line c/n 85030 and s/n 83912 have changed identities, even with the
T6743 given as burned in 1948!? In 1968, the ZS-DLK was registered to N.L. Preston, East London, registration ZS-DLK was
cancelled and on 9 August 1972 restored to the register. In 1975, the ZS-DLK was registered to Aeroview, Pretoria, followed
by C.R. Strecker as the next registered owner. In 1981, the ZS-DLK was registered J. Tainton. On 22 October 1985, the De Havilland
DH.82A Tiger Moth ZS-DLK was registered to Miklos Schermer Voest, Pinegowrie, who in December 1985 shipped the aircraft to Lelystad
in the Netherlands. On 30 December 1985, Miklos Schermer Voest reserved registration PH-DLK for the aircraft in the Netherlands,
but registration PH-DLK was ntu and the Tiger Moth remained active as ZS-DLK out of Lelystad Airport. On 3 November 2000,
registration ZS-DLK was cancelled as sold in Holland. The Tiger Moth stayed at Lelystad where it went under overhaul. On
20 April 2005, registration PH-DLK was reserved (again) and on 12 May 2006, the Tiger Moth was registered PH-DLK with
M.I.M. Schermer Voest, Soesterberg. The De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth PH-DLK is based at Lelystad Airport.
On 25 May
2017, during Wings & Wheels 2017, the De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth PH-DLK was seen at Hoogeveen airfield (EHHO). |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
