de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth

A vital Aircraft in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was the DH-82C Tiger Moth, in which thousands of Commonwealth pilots soloed. Built by de Havilland in Toronto, over 1500 Tiger Moths equipped many Elementary Flying Schools throughout Canada. Note the rails on the fuselage alongside the cockpit for mounting the canopy which is not used during what is obviously fine flying weather.
CF Photo

One of 1384 DH-82Cs flown by the RCAF between 1940 and 1946, 4360 is shown here with the fully enclosed cockpit for inclement or winter weather. One of the world's most famous training Aircraft, the Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF for over 15 years, with British production exceeding 4,200, and a further 2,949 being built in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These equipped 25 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training Schools in Canada, 28 in the United Kingdom (during the war), as well as 12 in Australia, 4 in New Zealand, 7 in South Africa, 2 in India, and 5 in the Rhodesian Air Training Group.
CF Photo

In 1937, the RCAF ordered 25 DH-82As from de Havilland Canada, a milestone as it was the first time a de Havilland design had been so extensively modified in Canada. Modifications included float and ski fittings, sliding canopy, cockpit heater, redesigned cowling, increased power, and a tailwheel. Soon after this, Britain odered 200 Tiger Moth fuselages which was a reversal of the usual flow of Aircraft between Canada and Britain. Number 4197 was one of 1384 DH-82Cs that served with the RCAF from 1940 to 1946, in addition to the 26 DH-82As that served from 1938 to 1948.
CF Photo