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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 0467.PDF
MARCH 7TH, 1946 FLIGHT 241 Canadian Fox Moth Post-war Production of Economical Light Transport : Landplane, Seaplane and Skiplane Versions ON the face of it, the re-introduction of a typewhich, in basic form, is some fifteen years oldmight appear to be peculiar. But utility and economy have an ageless value, and the fact that the D.H. Fox Moth was quite the most inexpensively oper- ated small transport type is the all-important one. Con- ditions for aircraft operation in the tougher parts of the world have not appreciably altered during the fifteen years, and a simple and rugged aircraft with a low stall- ing speed, short take-off run and good load factor is still required in many areas, and could still do useful BNI The new sliding canopy for the larger cockpit of the post-war Fox Moth, The cockpit as well as the cabin is now heated. work even in this small country of ours with its already well-organized communication network. The new Fox Moth which is now being built at the D.H. Toronto factory has been considerably improved in detail while losing none of its practical earlier features. The latest Gipsy Major engine gives something like 10 b.h.p. more than its pre-war counterpart, so that the take-off is improved—and this improvement will be further increased when the D.H. variable-pitch manually operated airscrew is available. Experience in the build- ing of wooden aircraft has resulted in the appearance of still better structural methods and materials, such as improved plywoods and more durable cements, to stand up to extreme conditions. Modernisation Among the detailed improvements on the original Fox Moth is the provision of a larger sliding hood canopy with a three-point mounting and an almost frameless moulding with blistered sides. The cockpit is now heated, and the 4i|in cabin door, once an " extra," has been standardized to assist in the loading of bulky freight. Luggage can also be stowed under the pilot's floor. A modern type of centrally hinged'engine cowl- ing will simplify maintenance, and an auxiliary 25-gallon tank may be installed in the baggage compartment at the back of the cabin. The original spring-loaded trim system for the elevator has been replaced by a conven- tional tab. During the war the Canadian-built Tiger Moths were fitted with wheel-brakes and a fully castoring tailwheel, and these features have been embodied in the new Fox Moth. In fact, the comparatively low price of the aircraft,in Canada—$6,450 for the landplane—has been made possible by the similarity of so many of the
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