De Havilland Tiger Moth

The de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane is an iconic and instantly recognisable aircraft. It is also one of a handful of planes that attracts the widest possible recognition outside the specialist group. Of nearly 10,000 built, it is thought that more than 1,000 Tiger Moths still survive over six decades on, and over half remain airworthy. They are also affordable classic aircraft at GBP40-50,000 for an airworthy example. The author takes a close look at the construction of the Tiger Moth, acquiring and restoring an example, owning and flying one, and the engineer's view of keeping it all running and airworthy.