The De Havilland Tiger Moth was designed as a primary trainer for the RAF in 1931. During the subsequent fifteen years, the model DH82 was to become the foremost aircraft design flown by the Commonwealth's military and civilian pilots. The suitability of this aeroplane for primary training resulted in the production of more than 9000 for the RAF and RCAF. Of these, 1784 were built in Canada under
license from 1937 to 1944.
The Tiger Moth was one of several training aircraft that made an enormous contribution to the BCATP. From 1938 to 1948 the RCAF employed more than 1500 of these machines. They were used for wireless instruction, bombing and gunnery, photographic reconnaissance and flying training. In fact, the Tiger Moth was one of two kinds of elementary trainer flown at this airport (Mount Hope), which was the site of 10 EFTS.
The CWH Tiger Moth was manufactured at Downsview (North York) , Ontario, in 1942. It saw service at Goderich, Ontario, and Windsor Mills, PQ, until 1945, when it was sold to the RCAF Association (RCAFA). The aircraft was disassembled and stored for more than 25 years before a five-year restoration project began. Late in 1977, the restoration was completed and the Tiger Moth returned to the skies.
