The Tiger Moth Story

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{detailed description}The early history of the Tiger Moth is as unlikely and yet as fascinating as the 'plane itself. Geoffrey de Havilland built a series of machines in an effort to provide a cheap aeroplane for private flying. His first efforts, the unsuccessful DH 51 and the Humming Bird, were superseded in 1925 by the famous Cirrus Moth which was a major breakthrough in light aeroplane design. In 1928 the Gipsy Moth appeared and then, in 1931, the Tiger Moth itself. The final transformation at de Havilland's Stag Lane works was undertaken by a group of men experimenting with bits and pieces from a dismantled Metal Moth without all the complex drawings and planning we are used to today.
From these shaky beginnings the Tiger Moth emerged—and has never looked back. Admittedly luck was on its side—it appeared in its final form before the Last War at a time when the newly aroused R.A.F. was in desperate need of a reliable and cheap trainer—yet no amount of luck could account for the outstanding achievements which were to make it a legendary name in the field of aviation.
Apart from the vitally important role of trainer, the Tiger has been used as taxi, crop sprayer, glider tug, bomber, advertising sky-writer, parachutist carrier, coastal patrol plane, and ambulance. It is a brilliant aerobatic performer, has crossed the Channel upside-down and, more recently, it became the first aeroplane to fly to France with its passenger standing outside on the petrol tank! There are many thousands of pilots who took their first faltering steps into the air in a Tiger and their memories of that and other experiences have endeared this amazing and unique aeroplane to them. Altogether, during fourteen years of production, nearly nine thousand of the breed were made.
Considering all this, it seems almost incredible that no history of the Tiger Moth has so far been written. Now Alan Bramson and Neville Birch have set this deplorable state of affairs to rights. Besides relating some amusing stories of the Tiger Moth's exploits in its varied fields of operation, the co-authors have used their enormous knowledge and experience of the 'plane to present new information which will surprise many. They end with a vivid recollection of how it feels to be back in the pilot's seat, and to hear again the `wind in the wires'.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE This revised / up-dated (third) edition contains 12 extra pages of text, 12 extra pages of photographs and a LOG listing the Registration Numbers, owners, date of manufacture, works and/or Service number(s), where known, of over 250 Tiger Moths with current C of A's in September 1970. Countries represented are the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Holland, Iceland, Ireland (Eire), Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America and one Tiger Moth in Fiji!

{Author / Publisher / Date}by Alan Bramson and Neville Birch
published by Air Review Limited 1970 3rd edn. updated and enlarged 268pp illustrated, index, appendices 15x22
{condition} very good, d/j spine faded.
{delivery info}