VH-DDA (1) de Havilland
D.H.82A Tiger Moth
(c/n DHA169)
The above is a
Dave Freeman photograph (via Geoff Goodall) taken at Parafield in
July 1977.
The Tiger was
looking sharp in a red, black and white scheme. It was the former
VH-AHL,
converted
to civilian use from A17-168 in March 1947. In
1952 it became a
cropduster with
David Gray & Co,
and was re-registered
VH-DDA. Disposed of by them in September
1960,
it later
commenced a long term rebuild in Perth back to a two
seater. The project was
finally
completed at
Northam, WA where it was test flown on 20 July
1976. It is currently
registered
to a private owner in
NSW and was repainted yellow overall following yet another rebuilt at
Luskintyre in
2008. Below are two earlier images of this Tiger,
both from Geoff's collection
showing (upper)-
DDA spraying at the
Muresk Agricultural College near Perth in April 1953
whilst owned by
David Gray & Co., and (lower)
after it had overturned near Toodyay, WA on
16 February 1956
while
dusting superphosphate. It had groundlooped violently on
takeoff and
overturned,
pilot Hal Watts being unhurt. The contemporary image
at the foot of the page
is via Wayne
Brown, a now syndicated part-owner of this Tiger. It was taken in
November
2008.