Tiger Moth
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 2
From: France
My old friend Peter Charles was doing some work for a well known restorer in North Norfolk, and blagged me a trip from Lt Snoring to Langham - good job gates were open! Brilliant, one of the most memorable quarter hours in my life. Thanks Pete and HL
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
From: UK
Blimey! I must have been asleep when I flew them. Never noticed any of that! Loved it. OK, the Stampe has better roll rate (whether the ailerons were "better" or not I couldn't say, they all looked OK to me) and was vastly easier to handle on the ground but the Tiger was just a joy to fly. (Dear old ACDC)
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 15,188
Likes: 1,201
From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Was ACDC once blue and based at Swanton Morley circa 1985?
G-ACDA made a brief reappearance in the 1980s until being rudely interrupted by some power lines - still extant, no idea what colours she wore.
Last edited by treadigraph; 21st June 2013 at 22:11.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: UK
You can also fly a Tiger at the Cambridge Flying Group. Their two Tigers are really well maintained aeroplanes and they offer excellent tuition both in flying and operating them.
If you ever have a chance to fly the DH60, particularly if you've flown the DH82a, do so. You'll find most variants of the DH60 to be quite a bit nicer than the DH82a.
There are also a number of lovely books written by Stuart Mackay on various subjects of the deHavilland nature. Much better than the "Haynes" Manual series!
If you ever have a chance to fly the DH60, particularly if you've flown the DH82a, do so. You'll find most variants of the DH60 to be quite a bit nicer than the DH82a.
There are also a number of lovely books written by Stuart Mackay on various subjects of the deHavilland nature. Much better than the "Haynes" Manual series!
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,175
Likes: 294
From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
Awful ailerons, and very poorly harmonised controls. It looks far better than it flies, and is only redeemed by having 'character' as an open-cockpit biplane.
I agree with you, but perhaps you and I have been spoiled by our Chipmunk flying. However, the open-cockpit is a wonderful redeeming feature. The most vivid recollection of my first Tiger flight was the graphic demonstration of what profile drag means, when I closed the throttle without lowering the nose. It seemed as if we were going to stop in mid-air.
My favourite biplane is the Stearman - like a Tiger on steroids - better handling, brakes, wonderful radial engine sounds, lots of grunt and a fuel bill to match!
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2
From: UK
I prefer the Stampe. I flew a Stearman once and it was OK but not very agile (big, heavy, ponderous, like a Waco I flew in Florida). The Stampe almost rivals the Chippy for 'nice to fly'. I once flew a Jungmann, but not long enough to get to know it; that was very nice to fly.
The only other biplane I've flown is an Acrosport that I was considering buying a share in many many years ago. I remember that as very agile but lacking grace and with strangley 'dead feeling' controls; it darted around everywhere like a hyper mad kitten, going just where you pointed it!
The only other biplane I've flown is an Acrosport that I was considering buying a share in many many years ago. I remember that as very agile but lacking grace and with strangley 'dead feeling' controls; it darted around everywhere like a hyper mad kitten, going just where you pointed it!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 44
From: South of the M4
My only experience of Tiger Moths was in my early days in the RAF when I was at 5 FTS (RAF Thornhill), Rhodesia.
Couple of photos from my album of one taking off
And of one landed - sort of!
When they were replaced by Chipmunks from September 1951 onwards some were sold/given to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force with the remainder being flogged off locally at £5 each, but even at £5 not many were sold and most were scrapped.
Couple of photos from my album of one taking off
And of one landed - sort of!
When they were replaced by Chipmunks from September 1951 onwards some were sold/given to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force with the remainder being flogged off locally at £5 each, but even at £5 not many were sold and most were scrapped.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Asia's Fine City
Tiger Moth "Easy to fly, but blooming difficult to fly well".
Here's one flown very well.
Yes a higher performance aircraft can do it all better and easier, Stampe, Pitts, Nanchang, Yak, Extra, Sukhoi and the list goes on etc but so what.
A nostalgic treat.
Tiger Moth biplane aerobatics - YouTube
Here's one flown very well.
Yes a higher performance aircraft can do it all better and easier, Stampe, Pitts, Nanchang, Yak, Extra, Sukhoi and the list goes on etc but so what.
A nostalgic treat.
Tiger Moth biplane aerobatics - YouTube
Last edited by kluge; 24th June 2013 at 03:10.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 1
From: London
It should be remembered that the Tiger was used for training in the 39/45 war. It's a bit unfair to compare it with much more modern aircraft even including Chipmunks. The Chippy had a disturbing tendency to swing a bit on landing on a runway, if not watched carefully.
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2
From: UK
It should be remembered that the Tiger was used for training in the 39/45 war. It's a bit unfair to compare it with much more modern aircraft even including Chipmunks. The Chippy had a disturbing tendency to swing a bit on landing on a runway, if not watched carefully.
Chippy swing on landing? Not in my very conderable expeience on type (30+ years of strip flying, aeros etc).
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2
From: UK
All taildraggers will swing on landing if you let them - they are directionally unstable on the ground, the CG being behind the main wheels. That's why you use your feet!
Some taildraggers have a greater propensity to swing than others. The Chippy is not one of these.
Some taildraggers have a greater propensity to swing than others. The Chippy is not one of these.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 115
From: UK
I always find it interesting to hear the various opinions given by pilots. I guess a lot of it has to do with the sequence that they fly various aircraft in and how often they flew them.
I did my PPL on the Tiger Moth and I loved it probably because I hadn't flown anything else.
I flew my first Chipmunk after 120 hours on the Piston Provost and it did absolutely nothing for me, nor has it since.
I'm sure if I had flown the Chipmunk before the PP then I might have thought differently?
I did my PPL on the Tiger Moth and I loved it probably because I hadn't flown anything else.
I flew my first Chipmunk after 120 hours on the Piston Provost and it did absolutely nothing for me, nor has it since.
I'm sure if I had flown the Chipmunk before the PP then I might have thought differently?
Last edited by JW411; 24th June 2013 at 16:43.