The Tiger Moth project
EAA hangar, Camarillo airport

Hi and welcome to Don's project of building an airplane!
A bit of history...

Several years ago Leslie gave me her blessing for me to travel to a huge air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I went 3 years in a row because I was intriqued with the possibility of building my own airplane, and this was the place to find out.

Ultimately, I decided to build an "impractical" airplane, meaning one just for fun. Many guys build "practical" aircraft that are great for going fast on cross country trips. Initially, I decided on building a 1930s era biplane and in preparation for welding the frame took one semester of gas welding at Ventura College, then a semester of TIG welding. I was ready to go! But...

I had joined our local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and during my first month there or so, a member stated that volunteers were needed to support a new youth program called the Ventura Military Explorers (VME) that was going to be an aviation themed activity for middle and high school kids.

I got real curious, watched the kids for some months to see their maturity level, etc, and then met with Dave Howells to ask if the group might like to have a "project" the kids could work on. Yes was the answer, but my original project wasn't appropriate for the kids (lots of welding, etc), so I switched to an all wood kit that would work well for these kids.

Thus was born the Tiger Moth project. This is a kit by Fisher Flying Products of North Dakata, roughly replicating a 1930s era deHaviland Tiger Moth, which was the British training model between the world wars. The Tiger Moth was extensively used for training throughout the British empire.

This Tiger Moth is (will be!) an open cockpit, 2 seat aircraft. The passenger sits in front and the pilot sits in the back.

Follow our progress to see how we build an airplane!

Next - building ribs.