A7 DH 60G Gipsy Moth
The RAAF's association with the Moth began in 1925 when two Cirrus Moths (serials A7-1 and 2) were ordered for evaluation as a possible replacement for the Avro 504K trainer then in service. The decision was then made to adopt this aircraft, the epitome of civil private flying in the 1920s and 1930s, as the service's elementary pilot trainer.
DH 60X Cirrus Moth aircraft were ordered from Britain, serials A7-3 to 22, which were delivered in 1928. Thirty-two DH 60G aircraft were ordered and built by Larkin Aircraft Supply Company while a single machine was built at Cockatoo Naval Dockyard under the supervision of Laurence Wackett, while a further five aircraft serials, A7-56 to 60, were apparently built from wrecks by de Havilland Aircraft at Mascot. Eight DH 60M Moths (A7-61 to 68) were delivered from Britain in 1936.
The RAAF's remaining Moths were all impressed from civilian operators in 1939 and 1940, and comprised a variety of models. This motley collection of aircraft helped to fill the RAAF's growing need for trainers until the ubiquitous Tiger Moths became available in sufficient numbers.
Several RAAF Moths operated as floatplanes and were used by the Seaplane Training Flight at Point Cook. A7-55 achieved some fame in 1936 when it was used to locate the missing Antarctic explorer Lincoln Ellsworth.
TECHNICAL DATA: de Havilland DH60G Gipsy Moth
DESCRIPTION:
Two-seat elementary trainer
POWER PLANT:
One 100 hp de Havilland Gipsy 1 engine
IN SERVICE:
1926 to 1946.
WEIGHTS:
Empty 436 kg (962 lb); loaded 748 kg (1650 lb).
DIMENSIONS:
Wingspan 9.14 m (30 ft 0 in); Length 7.29 m (23 ft 11 in); Height 2.68 m (8ft 9.5 in).
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 164 km/h (89 kt), Cruise 137 km/h (74 kt); Service Ceiling 14,500 ft (4,420 m); Range 515 km (278 nm).
