History of the
DH82A Tiger Moth

Origins

Geoffrey de Havilland
and the Moth family

Geoffrey de Havilland was born in 1882 and showed a passion for flight from an early age. His first aircraft — built with his own hands in 1910 — crashed on its maiden flight. Undeterred, he rebuilt and flew it successfully, and joined the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough. During the First World War he designed a series of military aircraft, and in 1920 founded the De Havilland Aircraft Company.

In 1925 he created the DH60 Moth, a light touring biplane powered by the Cirrus engine. Simple, reliable and affordable, it became immensely popular and helped spark the private flying movement of the 1920s. The Moth was succeeded by a series of variants — the Puss Moth, Fox Moth, Leopard Moth — each refining the formula.

The Tiger Moth

From Moth to Tiger —
the RAF trainer

In 1931, de Havilland received a requirement from the RAF for a primary trainer that could be used for aerobatic instruction. The result was the DH82 Tiger Moth, a development of the DH60 with swept-back upper wings and a revised cockpit arrangement that allowed a pilot to bale out with a parachute — a requirement the earlier Moth could not meet.

The Tiger Moth entered RAF service in 1932 and quickly became the standard elementary trainer. Its open tandem cockpits, responsive handling and gentle stalling characteristics made it ideal for taking raw recruits and turning them into pilots. The instructor sat in the rear cockpit; the student in front.

When war came in 1939, the Tiger Moth was utterly indispensable. The Empire Air Training Scheme trained over 130,000 aircrew across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Rhodesia — the vast majority beginning on Tiger Moths. In Britain itself, Elementary Flying Training Schools operated hundreds of them around the clock.

Polish Pilots

Polish airmen
and the Tiger Moth

After the fall of France in June 1940, thousands of Polish airmen who had escaped via Romania and France arrived in Britain. Many were experienced combat pilots — some had already fought in the September 1939 campaign and over France — but the RAF required them to demonstrate proficiency on British types before joining operational squadrons.

The Tiger Moth was often the aircraft on which Polish pilots refreshed their skills and adapted to British procedures. It was the gateway to Spitfires, Hurricanes, Wellingtons and Lancasters. Pilots who would go on to fly in No. 303, 302, 300 and other Polish squadrons passed through Tiger Moth training.

Tiger Moths were also used in Poland itself — before the war, the Polish Air Force used the type for elementary training, alongside the indigenous RWD designs.

Technical refinements

The DH82A —
the definitive version

The DH82A was the main production variant, powered by the de Havilland Gipsy Major I engine producing 130 hp. Key improvements over earlier versions included a revised fuel system, modified cockpit coaming and numerous detail refinements born of operational experience. Total production reached approximately 8,800 aircraft, making the Tiger Moth one of the most-produced British aircraft of the war.

After the war, surplus Tiger Moths were released onto the civil market in large numbers. Many were converted with enclosed cockpits for touring use. They became beloved by flying clubs and private owners across Britain and the Commonwealth, and a robust restoration movement ensures that many are still airworthy today.

Legacy

The Moth Club
and living history

The Moth Club, founded in 1975, brings together owners and enthusiasts of all de Havilland light aircraft. Its annual fly-in at Woburn Abbey is one of the highlights of the British vintage aviation calendar. Worldwide, hundreds of Tiger Moths remain airworthy — a testament to the strength of the original design and the dedication of the people who keep them flying.

In Poland, Tiger Moth T-7230 — our aircraft — is the only flying example. It connects us directly to the generation of pilots who trained on this machine and went on to defend freedom in the skies above Britain and Europe.