Tiger Moth Info
Tiger Moth VH-LJM has construction number 996 and was built to RAAF order as A17-561 in 1942. The aircraft was built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Mascot in New South Wales. After completion the aircraft was dismantled, crated and shipped to No 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Western Junction in Tasmania where it served as a trainer for RAAF pilots until 1.6.1945. It was sold by the Department Of Defense on 15.5.1946 for £140. The aircraft changed hands many times in the last 57 years and spent many years in storage in various states of repair. VH-LJM was totally refurbished and returned to flying condition in 1995 with another major overhaul in 1999 and 2002. The aircraft is powered by the reliable Gipsy Major engine which produces 130hp and propels the aircraft along at a cruise speed of 75 knots or 140kph.
Tiger Moth VH-BEN, RAAF Serial Number A17-736. Build Number 1067. The aircraft was built at Bankstown on 28.10.44 and was then placed in storage until 13.5.48 where it saw operational service with 1FTS at Point Cook. The aircraft then operated at 1BFTS at Uranquinty from 28.2.52. It was placed in storage in 1956 and sold on 17.3.58 making it one of the last Tiger Moths to be sold by the RAAF. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a bushfire near Streatham, VIC on 12.2.77 but was restored in the late eighties and then owned and operated by Bill Bennett at Moorabbin Airport conducting joyflights until mid 2005 when it was purchased by Garry Herne. The aircraft underwent a major restoration in early 2006 and is finished in a post-war silver colour scheme with its original RAAF serial numbers.
Tiger Moth VH-BEN, RAAF Serial Number A17-736. Build Number 1067. The aircraft was built at Bankstown on 28.10.44 and was then placed in storage until 13.5.48 where it saw operational service with 1FTS at Point Cook. The aircraft then operated at 1BFTS at Uranquinty from 28.2.52. It was placed in storage in 1956 and sold on 17.3.58 making it one of the last Tiger Moths to be sold by the RAAF. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a bushfire near Streatham, VIC on 12.2.77 but was restored in the late eighties and then owned and operated by Bill Bennett at Moorabbin Airport conducting joyflights until mid 2005 when it was purchased by Garry Herne. The aircraft underwent a major restoration in early 2006 and is finished in a post-war silver colour scheme with its original RAAF serial numbers.
