DH 60 Cirrus Moth

The original De Havilland Moth, which was the maker's sixtieth design, first flew in February 1925, powered by a 60 hp Cirrus I engine. It was the forerunner of a successful line of light aircraft that made record-breaking flights.

At the time the RAAF was considering a replacement trainer for the rotary-engined Avro 504Ks. In June 1925, an order was placed for two DH 60 Cirrus I Moths. These aircraft arrived by ship in March 1926, and were attached to No 1 Flying Training School (1FTS), Point Cook, for evaluation trials as A7-1 and A7-2.

Early in 1928, additional orders were placed for 34 DH 60X Moths, fitted with the 85 hp Cirrus II engine. It was announced that 20 of these aircraft would be imported, and the remaining 14 would be manufactured locally.

In June 1928, Cirrus Moths officially replaced the Avro 504Ks at 1FTS, and were also attached to Nos 1 and 3 Squadrons for ab initio training. Later, modifications to the Moth included the 90 hp Cirrus III engine and a split-axle undercarriage.

The designation A7 was retained by the Moth in the second A series, but these later aircraft were fitted with a Gipsy engine and were officially known as the DH 60G Gipsy Moth. However, upon the outbreak of World War II, a number of DH 60X Moths reappeared on the RAAF register and at least one DH 60 re-entered service when VH-UAJ was impressed as A7-114 in 1940.

TECHNICAL DATA: de Havilland DH 60 Cirrus II Moth

DESCRIPTION:

Two-seat elementary trainer.

POWER PLANT:

One 85 hp de Havilland Cirrus II.

DIMENSIONS:

Span 9.14 m (30 ft); Length 7.22 m (23 ft 8.5 in); Height 2.68 m (8 ft 9.5 in).

WEIGHTS:

Empty 404 kg (890 lb); loaded 703 kg (1550 lb).

PERFORMANCE:

Max speed 153 km/h (95 mph); Cruise speed 137 km/h (85 mph); Ceiling 17,000ft (5182 m); Range 692 km (430 miles). Back to top

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