The
DH60M Gipsy Moth VH-ULP
by Mal
Shipton
The Gipsy Moth holds an important position in the history and development of aviation. During the mid 1920’s and beyond they were “The world’s most successful light aeroplane”, bringing private and club ownership to many for the first time.
Famous names such as Amy Johnson, Jean Batten, Lores Bonney and Nancy Bird (Walton) were synonymous with the adventure of flight in the practical and reliable Gipsy Moth. Perhaps the most famous Gipsy Moth pilot was Sir Francis Chichester with his circumnavigation of the globe.
Earlier DH60 types were powered with a variety of engines, the most common was the Cirrus. Designations were DH60X and DH60G. When de Havilland developed the Gipsy 1 engine, it incorporated dual magnetos and was of upright in line configuration considered to present the smallest frontal area for streamlining and ease of cooling. This prosaic little long stroke engine proved so reliable that the de Havilland company guaranteed it against failure, including resulting airframe damage. It was the ‘daddy’ of the Gipsy line of engines, Gipsy II, Gipsy Major, Gipsy Minor, etc. Notionally 100 HP at 2000 rpm, it delivers 80 HP at 1800 rpm for practical purposes.
Rocker arms compressing the valve springs can be observed in flight as the top of the engine is open. Of course the valve gear has to be greased periodically and the engine is very easily prop started so no electrical system is needed.
The original design wooden fuselage was replaced by a more robust welded steel structure at a small weight penalty, thus making the DH60M or ‘Metal Moth’ by 1929, the year VH-ULP was manufactured. A very worthwhile feature of the type is the ability to fold the wings to save hangar space. Three Moths can be hangared in the space one would take normally when the wings are folded.The Gipsy Moth is aerobatic and has Handley Page slots on the upper wings as well as being the first aircraft to incorporate differential ailerons.
This particular example was created in the 1980’s by the late Les Penna of Bendigo. Although it carries the serial number of the original VH-ULP, the connection is slightly tenuous, a little like grandpa’s axe. Nevertheless, it is living history as most aircraft of pre war vintage are a composite of original and replacement parts. At a glance the DH60 Gipsy Moth looks a lot like the DH82 Tiger Moth as it was developed from the type. It is actually more accurate to say the Tiger looks like the Gipsy.
Distinctive features include an upright engine, long exhaust pipe down the left side and ‘straight rigging’. Much of the Tiger’s extra power is used overcoming the drag created by the ‘improvements’’, thus giving similar cruise speed. A strut mounted airspeed indicator utilising a spring opposing a plate in the airstream is a handy device as the front cockpit has no instrumentation should the need arise for an endorsement or the like.
This aircraft is a delight to fly, its handling being excellent for its time. Controls are light and responsive except aileron at low speed. It is a grand old lady from a bygone era and probably one of the greatest early de Havilland designs leading to the enormous production of its successor over almost two decades. Limitations stem from the lack of brakes, skid steering and minimal cross-wind capability as well as poor forward visibility, all of which add to the feel of winding the clock back eighty plus years.