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The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s British biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other operators as a primary trainer aircraft. In addition to the type's principal use for ab initio training, the Second World War had RAF Tiger Moths operating in other capacities, including maritime surveillance and defensive anti-invasion preparations; some aircraft were even outfitted to function as armed light bombers.

The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until it was replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk during the early 1950s. Many of the military surplus aircraft subsequently entered into civilian operation. Many nations have used the Tiger Moth in both military and civilian applications, and it remains in widespread use as a recreational aircraft. It is still occasionally used as a primary training aircraft, particularly for those pilots wanting to gain experience before moving on to other tailwheel aircraft. Many Tiger Moths are now employed by companies offering trial lesson experiences. The de Havilland Moth club, founded in 1975, is now an owners' association offering a mutual club and technical support.[3]

Appearances in Piece of Cake[]

The Novel[]

In Chapter 8 (August 1940) Air Commodore 'Baggy' Bletchley uses a Tiger Moth to fly to Bodkin Hazel, to inform Hornet Squadron that the altitude code for radio transmissions had been changed, with the stated 'angels' being four thousand feet below the true height instead of two thousand. Bletchley decided to deliver the news in person because the telephone lines at Bodkin were out of action, and using a Tiger Moth would have been quicker than sending a dispatch rider.[4]

The Miniseries[]

At the beginning of Episode 1, a Tiger Moth (number 59) is seen in the background while Squadron Leader Ramsay is taxiing towards the new slit trench. A Tiger Moth - possibly the same aircraft - is seen later in the same episode in the background at La Troquet, when Hornet Squadron arrive in France.[5]

Notes[]

  1. Some examples were fitted with racks to carry small bombs for anti U-Boat duties.

Sources[]

  1. Find Me A Gift
  2. History of British Military Training Aircraft by Ray Sturtivant. Published 1987 by Haynes Publishing Group. ISBN 0 85429 579 8. Page 61.
  3. Wikipedia entry
  4. Piece of Cake page 625.
  5. Piece of Cake Episode 1

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