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I'm still recovering from an amazing weekend. Beautiful weather & lots of lovely aeroplanes. Magic.

On Saturday I went down to Popham where members of the DH Moth Club were due to arrive en masse to spend the night before continuing their annual jaunt round the South of England. This was an opportunity too good to miss for a Moth freak like me.

The DH Moth family was possibly the most successful range of light aircraft ever built but why Moth you ask? The story goes that Geoffrey de Havilland was a keen amateur entomologist with a special interest in moths. This might be true but I think there is a much simpler explanation. All Moths (up to the Tiger Moth) had folding wings. Here's the last of that particular breed, the DH.60G III Moth Major. It's powered by the inverted Gipsy Major engine but note it has straight wings like the original Moths.


I was lucky enough to find it later with the wings folded. Shame I wasn't there to see it being done.




Now, do you see the resemblance to a moth?


The Tiger Moth broke the mould & was the last in the line. It was basically a modified Moth Major with swept wings which could not be folded. This was to improve access to the front cockpit for the instructor wearing an RAF style seat parachute.


PS. Anyone figure out the hidden meaning behind the name on the cowling?

Almostr thought you hadn't been to an aerial event this weekend! Luckely you were... Fantastic shots!

IV Cells? Something to do with 4 cylinders in the engine?

Excellent photo-essay there, Doug... thanks for the close-up look at the folding mechanism. It's amazing how insubstantial those points look, but of course ithe design has worked just fine for a looong time.
As for the name: I can't tell if it's "(Roman numeral 4) cells", or "One Vee Cells"... either way, I have no idea what it means...    ???

A Moth ride is definitely on my to-do list... especially with a little stick time. What a superb airplane.

Perhaps it's has a German owner... I Vill Cell zis plane...  ;D

Now where do you see that text?
I have searched all over that tigermoth, and I can't find that bloody text!!

I guess I need more carrots then...

Thanks for the nice comments.

Omag had the right idea. The name is actually IV Cell. Say it quickly to get the hidden meaning. Four Cell = For Sale.

If I had a PPL I might even consider purchasing it.

Now where do you see that text?
I have searched all over that tigermoth, and I can't find that bloody text!!

I guess I need more carrots then...

Must be that bang on the head. Look on the blue Moth Major.

Those are wonderful photos Doug! The Moth is probably one of the most successful biplanes of all time! Love 'em

Gotta love the Moth, shame its a b**ch to fly

Gotta love the Moth, shame its a b**ch to fly

Have you ever flown one?

Watch Spitfire Ace! It is a wonderful plane to fly. After the Spitfire it is next on my "Go for a blat in" list!

Must be that bang on the head. Look on the blue Moth Major.

Ahh.. pants!
I was looking at the yellow Tiger Moth!

Wonderful shots Doug

Certainly brings back some fond memories

And:

For you young lads, if the aircraft was rigged right(another navy term) hence "Rigger" in the Airforce then you could tell your correct speeds by the sound of the bracing wires.

The RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) had a bubble canopy and fitted skis and floats on the old girl.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Have you ever flown one?

Sorry for the late reply. Yep flew one for my birthday, way back in May. I flew G-ANSM out of Sibson (EGSP) in Peterborough. It was a lovely flight but very difficult to land. I can post photo's to prove it if you want?

Yep flew one for my birthday, way back in May. I flew G-ANSM out of Sibson (EGSP) in Peterborough. It was a lovely flight but very difficult to land. I can post photo's to prove it if you want?

Not necessary. I believe you.  Hope you enjoyed the experience.

I suppose it depends on what you're used to. The old Tiger might be considered difficult compared with modern trainers. Difficult to fly well maybe but that's what makes a good trainer. IMHO
They used to say if you can fly a Tiger you can fly almost anything.

Don't get me wrong, I loved it. The way it bounced everywhere on the thermals, the way it goes any distance very slowly, even the open air cockpit was a change from the inside of a Robin. However, when it comes to landing, and theres no flaps or brakes, kinda worries a PPL trainee like me thats used to using them

EDIT:

They used to say if you can fly a Tiger you can fly almost anything.

I have to agree with that!