| DH.81 Swallow Moth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Drawing of DH.81A configuration | |
| Role | sports aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | de Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd |
| First flight | 21 August 1931 |
| Retired | 3 February 1932 |
| Number built | 1 |
The de Havilland DH.81 Swallow Moth was aimed at the low-cost sporting aircraft market during the Great Depression. It was a single-engined two-seat low-wing monoplane; only one was built.
The DH. 81 Swallow Moth was a low-wing cantilever monoplane. [1] This arrangement and its plywood-covered fuselage and closely cowled 80 hp (60 kW) inline Gipsy IV engine gave it a very clean aerodynamic look. The wings carried ailerons that were horn-balanced at the wingtips and the empennage was of characteristic de Havilland form, with a balanced rudder. There was separate tandem seating for two, initially open, but later enclosed with a one-piece hinged cabin top. With this enclosure the aircraft was called the DH.81A and the top speed increased by 12 mph (19 km/h). The main undercarriage was simple, the legs reaching to mid-fuselage in front of the leading edge of the wing, with bracing struts fore and aft to the keel; the later Leopard Moth used a similar arrangement. A small tailskid completed the undercarriage. [1]
The Swallow Moth was first flown at Stag Lane Aerodrome by Geoffrey de Havilland on 21 August 1931. [2] Some alteration to the fin followed and the flight testing continued until February 1932. During this time the class B marking E-7 was allocated, but the Swallow Moth never reached the civil register. Its design influenced later de Havilland aircraft, particularly the 1938 Moth Minor. [3]
Data from de Havilland Aircraft since 1909. [3]
General characteristics
Performance
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