De Havilland Fox Moth

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DH.83 Fox Moth
DH83 Fox Moth G-ACEJ (7118183861).jpg
Fox Moth in flight at Fenland Airfield (2012)
General information
TypePassenger aircraft
Manufacturer de Havilland
Designer
Number built155
History
Introduction date1932
First flight29 January 1932

The DH.83 Fox Moth is a small biplane passenger aircraft from the 1930s powered by a single de Havilland Gipsy Major I inline inverted engine, manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.

Contents

The aircraft was designed late in 1931 as a low-cost, light passenger aircraft. Many components, including the engine, tailplane, fin, rudder, and wings were identical to those of the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth, then being built in large quantities. These were fitted to a purpose-built fuselage, which had a plywood covering over longerons that were made of ash forward of the pilot and Sitka spruce aft. The pilot sat in a raised cockpit behind the small enclosed passenger cabin, which was usually fitted with three seats for short-range flights. The "Speed Model" was fitted with a canopy and fairing. The wings could also be folded for storage.

Operational history

Canadian-built DH.83C Fox Moth with canopy fitted to pilot's position at Manchester (Ringway) Airport in 1955 DH.83C Fox Moth G-AOJH N.West AS RWY 06.58 edited-2.jpg
Canadian-built DH.83C Fox Moth with canopy fitted to pilot's position at Manchester (Ringway) Airport in 1955

The prototype first flew on 29 January 1932 and was sent to Canada, gaining sufficient interest that seven were assembled at the company's Toronto plant. [1] "Home" based production was shared evenly between sales within the United Kingdom and exports, with 49 aircraft each going onto the British register and being sent overseas. [1] British-based aircraft were mostly used on short-haul joyrides or as feeder flights around the British Isles. The DH.83 Fox Moth was the first aircraft to earn a profit in commercial airline service without subsidies.[ citation needed ]

Fox Moth VH-UQM Miss Currie was purchased by Victor Holyman for £1,450 and began operating on the 108-mile route over the Southeastern Bass Strait between Launceston, Tasmania and Whitemark on Flinders Island in October 1932. It was thus the inaugural aircraft of what was to later become Australian National Airways. QANTAS used Fox Moths to replace de Havilland DH.50s on the Flying Doctor Service. [2]

Total production of the DH.83/DHC.83C Fox Moth was 153; 98 in England, two in Australia, and 53 in Canada after WWII. [3] A number of different engines were used, including the 130 hp (97 kW) Gipsy IIIA on most British-built aircraft and the 145 hp (108 kW) Gipsy Major 1C on the 53 postwar DH.83C Canadian-built aircraft. The DHC-83Cs were fitted with larger pilot cockpit openings, a larger windscreen and canopy, a large ambulance cabin door on the port side to accommodate a stretcher and did not have folding wings. The DH.83C used DH.82 Tiger Moth main and tail landing gear. The DH.83C was an excellent and economical bush plane.

Variants

Operators

ZK ADI, Air Travel (NZ) 1934 De Havilland DH-83 Fox Moth, Croydon Air Service AN1041908.jpg
ZK ADI, Air Travel (NZ) 1934

Military

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil

Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada

Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand

Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa

Flag of Spain (1931-1939).svg Spain

Flag of Spain (1938-1945).svg Spanish State

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg  Yugoslavia

Civilian

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

British Raj Red Ensign.svg British Raj

Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada

Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg  Yugoslavia

Surviving aircraft

de Havilland Fox Moth G-ACEJ which is now operating out of Germany Dh.foxmoth.750pix.jpg
de Havilland Fox Moth G-ACEJ which is now operating out of Germany

Specifications (DH.83)

De Havilland DH.83 3-view drawing from NACA-AC-162 De Havilland DH.83 3-view NACA-AC-162.png
De Havilland DH.83 3-view drawing from NACA-AC-162

Data from De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 [9]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 Jackson 1987, p. 322.
  2. Jackson 1987, pp. 324–325.
  3. Jackson 1987, p. 327
  4. Mikesh and Abe 1990, p. 88.
  5. "Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations". designation-systems.net. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  6. Fillmore Air Britain Archive Autumn 2011, p. 118
  7. 1 2 Fillmore Air Britain Archive Autumn 2011, p. 107
  8. Arthur 1992, p. 23
  9. Jackson 1987, p. 326.
  10. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography