INDEX OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT

 

   de Havilland 
DH 80A Puss Moth 
 

History

The DH. 80 and 80A Puss Moth were developed as cabin monoplanes to provide more comfort than was possible in open cockpits with heavy clothing. Popular with the general flying public, Puss Moths were bought by private owners and commercial operators alike. Possessing economic fuel economy, several were used for long-distance record attempts.

Unlike previous Moths, the Puss Moth had its DH Gypsy engine inverted, with the cylinders pointing down to increase pilot visibility over the nose. The wings could be folded for storage in a garage, or towing down a road. The undercarriage struts could be rotated 90 degrees, slowing the aircraft and steepening the glide for landing in small areas. The Puss Moth served with the RAF, and RCAF. A total of nine Puss Moths were imported to Canada and a further 25 assembled in Toronto.

The Fleet Air Arm impressed only one De Havilland Puss Moth for training and transportation duties, from CRA Grant in January 1940. From September 1942-May 1943 it served with the Station Flight Evanton/Fearn.
 

Fleet Air Arm history
         De Havilland Puss Moth
          Total FAA 1939-1945             1
          First delivered to RN:             1940
          First squadron 1939-1945:       Station Flight Evanton/Fearn
          Operational squadron:              None
          Last served with RN               1943
Aircraft Type:
 de Havilland DH 80A Puss Moth 
Mark:
 -
Primary Role:
 communications
First Flight: 
Date operating with FAA squadrons:
 1940-1943
Manufacturer:
 de Havilland
Engine:
 one D.H. Gipsy Major, 130 hp, inverted in-line, 4-cylinder engine 
 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: 
 Wing Span:6 ft 9 in (11.2 m) 
Length: 25 ft (7.6 m) 
Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.1 m) 
Empty Weight: Max.Weight:
 Weight, Empty: 1,265 lb (574 kg) 
Weight, Gross:2,050 lb (930 kg) 
Speed: 

Ceiling: 

Range:

 Cruising Speed: 108 mph (174 km/h) 
Max Speed:95 mph (152 km/h) 
Rate of Climb:650 ft (198 m)/min 
Service Ceiling:17,000 ft (5,180 m) 
Range: 430 mi (692 km) 
Armament: 
 None
Crew:
 2
Squadrons:
 Station Flight Evanton/Fearn
Battle honours:
 None with FAA
Additional references and notes:
 -

Battle Honours and Operational Hiostory
None with FAA

Surviving aircraft and relics
A number of DH Puss Moth aircraft are prwserfev around the world. Examples include one at the National Museums of Scotland - Museum of Flight (UK), the National Aviation Museum (Canada) and another in private hands  - R Bailey. (UK)

Puss Moth DH80A VH-UQB/G-ABDW Preserved at the National Museums of Scotland Museum of Flight (UK)
Museum of Flight, East Fortune (UK): De Havilland DH 80A Puss Moth C/N 2051 VH-UQB (G-ABDW) built in 1930
The National Aviation Museum of Canada Puss Moth example CF-PEI was manufactured in England in 1931 and went to the U.S. naval attache in London. Serving with the RAF in World War II, the Puss Moth flew with various U.K. civil operators before coming to Canada in 1969. It operated in Prince Edward Island until purchased by the museum in 1976.

PUSS MOTHS FOR SALE

Hornet Moths advertised for sale in 2000 in the de Havilland Moth Club Moth online Magazine.
Associations and reunions
  • The de Havilland Moth Club
    • FURTHER INFORMATION
    		  
    The Tiger Moth Ring is maintained by Flying Wires, operators of Tiger Moth G-AJHS.  The Tiger Moth Ring is a Webring that aims to link all websites related to Moth aircraft in general and the Tiger Moth in particular. 
    Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7 
    Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000
     

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