1944 De Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth

Description

Built in January 1944 by Morris Motors in Cowley, Oxford. Served with the RAF bearing Serial number NM129 from 1944 TO November 1953.

Sold into civilian service in 1957, to the Luton Aero Club.

Currently painted to represent

• Currently painted to represent K – 2572.
• Transferred to a LAA Permit to Fly on 7th of Oct 2014.
• Airframe Hours: TT 4837.9 hours
• Engine: Gipsy Major 1c with serial no. 10358 TTSN: 4163 hours TSOH: 1482,8 hours.
• Propeller: Overhauled by Hercules and has flown 1 hr since it was fitted on 26/04/2026
• Magnetos: last overhauled on 11/03/2019
• Last engine (top end) overhaul was on 06/10/2003; engine log was showing a total time of 4163 hrs.
• The last compression test was done to all four cylinders as part of overall permit maintenance release dated 26/04/2026.

Remarks

On 26 October 1931 the first ‘true’ Tiger Moth, the prototype E6, made its maiden flight at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware, London, flown by de Havilland Chief Test Pilot Hubert Broad.

Shortly thereafter construction of the first 35 production aircraft for the RAF, designated K2567-K2601, began.

While it started as a military trainer, thousands were later sold to civilian flying clubs and private owners after World War II.

Historical records and airframe registration logs suggest that between 1,500 and 2,500 Tiger Moths were written off or heavily damaged in accidents during World War II.

While more than 8,800 were originally manufactured between 1931 and 1945, the aircraft’s simple mechanics and enduring popularity among vintage aviation enthusiasts have kept a remarkably high number in the air. In fact, the number of airworthy Tiger Moths has actually risen over recent decades as dedicated restorers salvage static museum pieces and bring them back to life and some 250 to 300 are kept flying today.