De Havilland Gipsy Moth

The DH.60 was designed in 1925 by Captain Geoffrey de Havilland, and Major F B Halford of the Aircraft Disposal Company, around the ‘Cirrus’ engine. The little aeroplane was a masterpiece of design. It was safe and functional to fly and could be built and repaired with ordinary woodworking tools. In due course there were racing, training and sports versions. The 120 hp Gipsy Moth had a maximum speed of 105 mph at sea level, a cruising speed of 85 mph and a service ceiling of 18000 feet. More than 3000 Moths were built.

The Gipsy Moth was used for many historic flights. Sir Alan Cobham flew from London to Zurich and back in one day in 1925. Pilots in Moths won the King’s Cup Air Race on several occasions. The most famous flight began on 5 May 1930 when Yorkshire girl, Amy Johnson, flew from England to Australia in her Gipsy Moth, ‘Jason’. The Museum’s replica has been modelled on this aircraft.