De Havilland DH.81 Swallow Moth
de Havilland · United Kingdom · first flew 1931 · light aircraft
The de Havilland DH.81 Swallow Moth was a single-engined two-seat, low-wing monoplane aimed at the low-cost sporting aircraft market during the Great Depression.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Plywood-covered fuselage with a closely cowled inverted inline engine |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing cantilever monoplane
- Plywood-covered fuselage with a closely cowled inverted inline engine
- Tandem seating, first open and later under a one-piece hinged cabin top
A clean low-wing monoplane with an 80 hp Gipsy IV engine, horn-balanced ailerons, the characteristic de Havilland tail with a balanced rudder, and a tailskid.
Specifications
- The De Havilland DH.81 Swallow Moth has a length of 7.16 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.82 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 188 km/h (117 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Geoffrey de Havilland first flew it at Stag Lane Aerodrome on 21 August 1931. Some alteration to the fin followed and flight testing continued until February 1932.
Variants
The DH.81 was the original two-seat open-cockpit configuration. The DH.81A was the prototype modified with an enclosed cabin and flown from November 1932, with the top speed increased by 12 mph.
Where you'll see it
Only one was built, and it never reached the civil register. Its design influenced later de Havilland aircraft, particularly the 1938 Moth Minor.
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- Tiger Moth
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- Berliner-Joyce OJ-2
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