Hornet Moth G-AELO in flight

History

The DH-87 Hornet Moth is a direct development of the DH 60. It was a cabin biplane, designed as trainer and touring aircraft. . The first prototype flew on 9 May, 1934. The original Hornet Moth was built with tapering wings, but these were found to cause problems especially when landing in three-point attitude when there was a tendency for the tips to stall, causing embarrassment to the pilot and quite often damage to the aeroplane. The  aircraft entered production in 1935 and a total of 165 DH 87s were built.

When the problem of the Hornet Moth  wings was discovered De Havilland offered owners of the DH87 a replacement wings of the new squarer shape at a reduced price in exchange for the original wings.

During WWII the RAF and FAA used a few as liaison aircraft.

The Fleet Air Arm possessed a total of 5 De Havilland Hornet Moths, 4 were purchased in Canada as seaplanes under contract No B.974735/39 and an additional one was impressed. The first was delivered to the RN Communications at Lee on Solent in July 1939, and the first squadron to receive the Hornet Moth in March 1940, was 781 squadron at Lee on Solent (P6785). The majority of the aircraft were delivered to 781 squadron and the last one was paid off in January 1945.
 

Fleet Air Arm history

    Hornet Moth
    Total FAA 1939-1945:        5
    First delivered to RN:          1939
    First squadron 1939-1945:    781 3.1940
    Operational squadron:          1
    Last served with RN            1945

Less than 10 Hornet Moths are known to survive in museums, one at the De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre (UK), another at the Aces High Flying Museum (UK) and a third at the Woodford collection (UK). There is also another at the Nelson Aviation Company (Australia). There is also at least one in private hands in the US.

The de Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney: de Havilland D.H.87 Hornet Moth Registered: G-ADOT was first flown in May 1934 this is one of the last surviving examples of 165 aircraft built.

HORNET MOTH FOR SALE

Hornet Moths advertised for sale in 2000 in the de Havilland Moth Club Moth online Magazine.

• Hornet Moth for sale. 1938 DH87B, Gipsy Major 1C engine approx 222 hours smoh, airframe 1,861 TT. US$64,900. Contact Walt Kessler, 20805 E. Anthony Road, Marengo, IL 60152, USA. Tel 815 568 6618. Fax 815 568 5220. E-mail tigrmth@aol.com  (USA) .
• DH87B Hornet Moth for sale. No 8131. 1937 ex G-AEZG. Gipsy Major 1F engine. Aircraft imported to Australia 1979. Always hangared. Based at Nelson, Victoria. Excellent condition, recovered in cotton prior to purchase. Finished in all-ver silver with red flash and gold trim. Interior, original red leather, still has golf bag and top blind fitted. Windscreen slightly milky. Cruise 85 kts. Flown occasionally. Current maintenance release. Crankshaft ultra-sonic crack tested. Wing cut-outs inspected. No electrics. Offered as-is and where-is. A$95,000. Contact Harvey McBain, Nelson Aeroplane Company. Tel 8 8738 4191. Fax 8 8738 4233. (Australia).

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Associations and reunions

• The de Havilland Moth Club

 

FURTHER INFORMATION   Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995)   'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 0 85130 232 7

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

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