Tiger Moth range

[John Beaman]

Wikipedia list the range of the DH Tiger Moth as 305 miles. Is that accurate? Did other versions carry more fuel?

THKs

[Bill Walker]

Interestingly, none of my various reference sources (Jane's, Putnam, various Observers books) list a range for the Tiger Moth. They all give cruising speeds of 90 to 94 mph, so 305 miles works out to an endurance of just over 3 hours. This seems reasonable for this age and class of aircraft.

Range is always a tricky number in an aircraft. If the quoted range doesn't include a speed and reserves, it is not very meaningful.

Added in edit: digging a little further, "The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft", Orbis Publishing 1997, lists the range of a DH-82C as 275 miles. The C had the same engine and fuel tank as an A, with a slightly higher empty weight. So 305 miles is believable.

[Jukka Juutinen]

The R.A.A.F. Pilot's Notes for the Tiger Moth gives following info:

-fuel capacity 19 gallons (must be Imp.)
-"the correct" setting for cruising is 1950 r.p.m. ("Gypsy Major 1 Type 1") giving 75 - 80 m.p.h. (I.A.S.); "safe endurance" at this setting 2.5 hours
-fuel flow at this setting 6 - 6.5 gals/h

[John Beaman]

Thanks Guys!