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de Havilland D.H. 83C Fox Moth

The Fox Moth was designed in England in 1932 as a light, economic transport, and was built using as many Tiger Moth components as possible. Fox Moths were produced in Canada after the Second World War mainly to keep the plant in production, but also to satisfy the increasing need for new bush aircraft. All the Canadian modifications made to the Tiger Moth were also applied to the Fox Moth. Of the 53 produced, 39 remained in Canada, most of which were operated in float/ski configuration, and gave years of satisfactory service.

The Fox Moth, though efficient, was a bit of an anachronism. For example, a modern, moulded- plexiglas sliding cockpit-hood was attached to what was essentially a 1932 aircraft. Communication between the passenger cabin in the fuselage and the cockpit to the rear was through a hole in the instrument panel. De Havilland designed a special stretcher for the Fox Moth, in order that it could operate as an air ambulance.

Museum Example

The Museum aircraft was built in 1947. It was owned by a number of operators, then purchased, restored, and flown for Maxwell W. Ward in the 1980s. This Fox Moth was presented to the Museum in 1989.

Specifications

Wing Span:
9.4 m (30 ft 10 3/5 in)
Length:
8.2 m (26 ft 9 in)
Height:
2.7 m (8 ft 9 1/2 in)
Weight, Empty:
655 kg (1,445 lb)
Weight, Gross:
1,045 kg (2,300 lb)
Cruising Speed:
135 km/h (84 mph)
Max Speed:
154 km/h (96 mph)
Rate of Climb:
135 m (450 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
3,353 m (11,000 ft)
Range:
528 km (328 mi)
Power Plant:
one de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C, 145 hp, inverted in-line engine

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.