De Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth

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The de Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth was a single-seat monoplane, designed to research high-speed flight and test replacement engines for the Cirrus engine. The plane was designed around its test pilot, Hubert Broad, to make it as streamlined as possible: this resulted in the fuselage sides being sloped outwards in order to accommodate his shoulders. The first aircraft built (G-EBQU) was initially fitted with an 85&nbsp;hp Cirrus engine to check its handling characteristics. This was then replaced with Major Halford's prototype engine, by then named the Gipsy. The second example, G-EBRV, was fitted with a Cirrus engine.

Both aircraft were entered for the 1927 King's Cup race but 'QU was withdrawn in order to be tuned for record-breaking purposes. Broad flew 'RV in the race but retired.

In August 1927, Broad flew a 62-mile (100&nbsp;km) closed-circuit record for Class III Light Aircraft of 186.47&nbsp;mph (300.09&nbsp;km/h). Five days later he flew to 19,191&nbsp;ft (5,849&nbsp;m) without oxygen in an attempt to break the altitude record for its category. For these record attempts the aircraft was fitted with a new set of mainplanes with a reduced span of 5.79&nbsp;metres.

In 1930, the first DH.71 crashed when the engine cut out while practising for a race in Australia, killing pilot David Smith. The second airframe was for...
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