Moth, Puss (Total: 23, Canadian: 20, Group 0)

de Havilland Moth, Puss

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3256157)
de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth, RCAF, Reg. No. G-CYUT, Rockcliffe, Ontario, ca. 1932

The de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth is a British three-seater high-wing monoplane aeroplane designed and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company between 1929 and 1933. It flew at a speed approaching 124 mph (200 km/h), making it one of the highest-performance private aircraft of its era.

The unnamed DH.80 prototype which first flew in September 1929 was designed for the flourishing private flying movement in the United Kingdom. It was a streamlined all-wooden aircraft fitted with the new de Havilland Gipsy III inverted inline engine that gave unimpeded vision across the nose without the protruding cylinder heads of the earlier Gipsy II engine. After the prototype was tested, the aircraft was redesigned with a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage and as such redesignated the DH.80A Puss Moth. The first production aircraft flew in March 1930 and was promptly sent on a sales tour of Australia and New Zealand. Orders came quickly, and in the three years of production ending in March 1933, 259 were manufactured in England. An additional 25 aircraft were built by de Havilland Canada. Most were fitted with the 130 hp (97 kW) Gipsy Major engine that gave slightly better performance.

Most DH.80As were used as private aircraft, though many also flew commercially with small air charter firms for passenger and mail carrying. Seating was normally two although in commercial use two passengers could be carried in slightly staggered seats with the rear passenger's legs beside the forward passenger seat. The wings folded backwards for storage, pivoting on the rear spar root fitting and the V-strut root fitting, a system used on other De Havilland light airplanes of the period. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia De Havilland Puss Moth

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Moth, Puss 169,

s/n 169

as/n 651

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC201

de Havilland Canada

169

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. To de Havilland for strengthening of wing struts, completed 30 January 1932 at a cost of $262.00. To Ottawa Air Station on 3 May 1932, to Depot work shop at Ottawa 2 days later. Back to Ottawa Air Station on 11 June 1932. Noted with 191:20 logged time on 15 June 1932. To de Havilland for further modifications, 3 December 1932 to 10 April 1933. To Camp Borden when completed. To Ottawa again on 23 April 1933. To Regina Airport on 21 June 1933. To Winnipeg Air Station on 28 July 1933. Noted with 333:40 logged time during on 31 August 1933.
Complete overhaul at Winnipeg Air Station, completed on 24 November 1933. Remarked as "651" at this time, probably for loan to RCMP. To RCAF Station Ottawa on 9 June 1935. To No. 1 Depot at Ottawa on 1 April 1936. Application to write off dated 12 August 1936.
Serial 651 was an RCMP serial number, applied to RCAF 169 when it was loaned to the Mounties in the mid 1930s.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-February-25 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1937-January-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 213

Moth, Puss 170,

s/n 170

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-202

de Havilland Canada

170

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. Wing bracing struts strengthened by de Havilland at a cost of $262.18, completed 30 January 1932. To Ottawa Air Station on 3 May 1932. Reported with 202:20 logged time shortly after it arrived. To Depot workshops at Ottawa from 5 May to 13 December 1932, then back to Ottawa Air Station. To No. 1 Depot at Ottawa on 9 June 1933. Request to write off dated 17 August 1936.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-February-25 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1937-January-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205

Moth, Puss 171, D.H. 80A

s/n 171

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-203

de Havilland Canada

171

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. "Slight repairs" completed by de Havilland on 3 December 1931, at a cost of $18.72. Noted on 8 April 1932 with 258:55 logged time. To de Havilland for modifications, 3 August 1932, cost of $1,105.00. To St. Hubert, Quebec on 26 October 1932. Registration CF-CCI issued when loaned to Controller of Civil Aviation 1932 to 1935, based out of Montreal. Crashed during forced landing on Lake Matchi-Manitou in Quebec, on 28 March 1935. Had 670:25 logged time when struck off.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-March-02 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-October-25 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1935-April-13 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, some components salvaged 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 615

Moth, Puss 172, D.H. 80A

s/n 172

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-204

de Havilland Canada

172

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant, visiting London, Ontario. Wing bracing struts strengthened by de Havilland at a cost of $262.00, completed on 30 January 1932. Noted on 8 April 1932 with 107:35 logged time. To Winnipeg Air Station on 2 January 1933. Loaned to Controller of Civil Aviation department at Regina, Saskatchewan on 7 July 1933, temporary registration CF-CCF used. New engine installed 27 July 1934. Caught fire while refuelling at Edmonton, Alberta on 3 September 1934. Tail wheel and exhaust pipe salvaged, to Controller of Civil Aviation stores.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-09 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1931-April-09 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1934-September-20 Struck off Strength Struck off after fire, see comments 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 615

Moth, Puss 173,

s/n 173

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-205

de Havilland Canada

173

Popular name was "Moth Three". Used as instrument trainer. Loaned to Royal Canadian Mounted Police aviation department in 1932 and/or 1933, probably retained RCAF serials and markings.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-March-16 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-August-12 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205

Moth, Puss 174,

s/n 174

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-206

de Havilland Canada

174

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. Wing bracing struts strengthened by de Havilland, 1 to 21 September 1931, at a cost of $262.08. To de Havilland for modifications, 1 December 1932 to 18 March 1933. Had 182:40 logged time when it arrived, cost was $1,359.72. Back to Camp Borden when completed. To Trenton Air Station on 30 June 1933. Classified as instructional airframe A 5 on 23 July 1936, transferred to Technical Training School at St. Thomas, Ontario on same date.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-March-18 Taken on Strength 2020-06-19
   1936-July-23 Classified Instructional A 5 2020-06-19
   1944-February-08 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares at St. Thomas 2020-06-19
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 481

Moth, Puss 175, D.H. 80A

s/n 175

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-207

de Havilland Canada

175

Ordered with quick release doors, rear seat, and blind flying equipment. Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. To de Havilland 17 to 28 September 1931 for strengthening of wing struts, then back to Camp Borden. Noted with 184:00 logged time on 1 April 1932. Fuselage repairs carried out at Borden, from 13 April 1932. Noted with 188:50 logged time on 28 November 1932. To de Havilland again on 10 October 1934, for overhaul and conversion to civil register. Registration CF-CCL issued when loaned to Director of Civil Aviation at St. Hubert, Quebec from 29 January 1935. Noted on 31 August 1935 with 306:30 logged time. Returned to RCAF at Ottawa Air Station on 27 April 1936.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-March-27 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1935-January-25 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1937-January-21 Struck off Strength Struck off, having been reduced to spares in June 1936 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss 176,

s/n 176

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-211

de Havilland Canada

176

Ordered with quick release doors and wheel brakes (no blind flying equipment). Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. To de Havilland 17 to 28 September 1931 for strengthening of wing struts, then back to Camp Borden. Noted on 1 April 1932 with 145:35 logged time. To de Havilland December 1932 to 17 March 1933, for modifications. Back to Borden when completed. To Ottawa Air Station on 2 July 1933. Noted on 30 August 1934 with 286:00 logged time. To No. 1 Depot at Ottawa for scrapping on 1 April 1936.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-09 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1937-January-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205

Moth, Puss 177, D.H. 80A

s/n 177

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-209

de Havilland Canada

177

Ordered with quick release doors and blind flying equipment. Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. To de Havilland 26 September to 7 October 1931 for strengthening of wing struts, then back to Camp Borden. Noted on 28 November 1932 with 145:00 logged time. To de Havilland for overhaul and modifications, 2 December 1932 to 17 March 1933. To Camp Borden when completed. To Ottawa Air Station on 24 June 1933. Registration CF-CCJ issued when loaned to Director of Civil Aviation at Toronto from 26 June 1933. To St. Hubert on 1 July 1933. Partial overhaul by de Havilland in October 1934. Destroyed in National Air Transport hanger fire at Barker Airport in Toronto in the evening of 12 November 1935.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-March-28 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1933-June-28 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1935-November-12 Struck off Strength Written off after fire, see text. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss 178, D.H. 80A

s/n 178

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-210

de Havilland Canada

178

Ordered with quick release doors, rear seat, and blind flying equipment. Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. To de Havilland for strengthening of wing brace struts, 26 September to 9 October 1931. Back to Borden when completed. Tailskid and rudder repaired by de Havilland from 3 December 1931, at a cost of $18.20. Noted on 28 November 1932 with 152:30 logged time. Temporary registration CF-CCK issued on 9 February 1934 for loan to Director of Civil Aviation at Vancouver, BC. To de Havilland Canada at Toronto on 17 February 1943, for partial overhaul, "aerobatic modifications", and application of civil markings. To storage at St. Hubert, Quebec on 28 March 1934. To Vancouver on 25 May 1934. Salvaged components to No. 1 Depot at Ottawa, WOC (Without Compensation?), on 23 April 1937. Had 354:25 logged time when struck off.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1934-March-28 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1936-April-08 Withdrawn from use, broken up for spares. 2020-08-13
   1937-April-23 Struck off Strength Struck off, having been reduced to spares on 8 April 1936. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss 179,

s/n 179

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-208

de Havilland Canada

179

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Used as instrument trainer. To Ottawa Air Station on 30 June 1931. Back to Borden on 15 September 1931. Crashed at Peterborough, Ontario on 16 November 1931. Had 16:35 logged time when it crashed. To de Havilland from 21 November 1931 to 31 March 1932 for repairs and "all modifications", at a cost of $3,376.00. Back to Borden when completed. Noted on 4 September 1932 with 32:30 logged time. Had 386:45 logged time when struck off.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-10 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-September-16 Scrapped Scrapped, by burning at Camp Borden 2019-08-20
   1936-September-16 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205

Moth, Puss 180, D.H. 80A

s/n 180

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-212

de Havilland Canada

180

Civil registration cancelled on 24 August 1940, to Central Technical School as a training aid.Used as instrument trainer. Popular name was ""Moth Three". To civil register with DND, for use by Toronto Flying Club, as CF-CDN in March 1934.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-16 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1934-March-24 Registration Change To civil register, registered to DND 2020-08-13
   1936-October-02 Sold as Surplus Sold to Toronto Flying Club 2019-08-20
   1940-August-24 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss 181, D.H. 80A

s/n 181

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-213

de Havilland Canada

181

Popular name was "Moth Three". Purchase price was $6,990.00 for the airframe, plus $1,960.00 for the engine. Delivered by air to Camp Borden. Cowling and heater pipe repaired in December 1931 by de Havilland, at a cost of $9.36. Wing struts strengthened by de Havilland in January 1932, at a cost of $262.08. Noted on 8 April 1932 with 246:15 logged time. Noted on 12 January 1933 with 335:45 logged time. To de Havilland from 10 October to 3 December 1934, for overhaul and application of civil markings. Registration CF-CCM issued when loaned to Director of Civil Aviation, 1934 to 1936. With Calgary Institute of Technology (later Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) from September 1936, less engine, airscrew and instruments, as training aid.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-April-23 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1934-November-26 Registration Change Registered to Department of National Defence 2020-08-13
   1934-December-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-September Withdrawn from use. 2020-08-13
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 205 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss A44,

s/n A44

m/d D.H.80A

c/n 2017

de Havilland

A 44

No previous RCAF history. Built in the UK in 1930, imported to Canada. First flight in Canada on 1 August 1930. Registered as CF-AGU on 9 August 1930, to W.C. Van Horne of Toronto, operated by Skyways, Ltd. Various owners in Quebec and Ontario, including Hamilton Aero Club and St. Maurice Airways. Last registered owner was M.A. Viau of Ottawa, registered on 27 May 1939. Certificate of Registration suspended in November 1939. Purchased from Maxime Viau, complete with Gipsy III engine s/n 133. Taken on strength at No. 1 (E) Depot at Toronto. To No. 1 Technical Training School at St. Thomas, Ontario on 24 September 1940.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1940-February-27 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
   1940-February-27 Classified Instructional CA A 44 2020-06-16
   1944-February-08 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce at St. Thomas 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 481 | 1968 611

Moth, Puss A50,

s/n A50

m/d D.H.80A

c/n 2004

de Havilland

A 50

No previous RCAF history. Built in 1930, registered to de Havilland Canada as CF-AGO on 8 July 1930. Toured Canada and US as company demonstrator. Sold to S.B. Cleverly of Toronto, registered to him on 9 May 1934. To W.A. Ward of Toronto on 27 April 1938. To R.G. Slack and G.I. Wonnacoot of Hamilton, Ontario on 13 January 1939. Taken on strength at No. 1 Technical Training School at St. Thomas, Ontario. Free issue to Quebec Aircraft School.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1940-June-17 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
   1940-June-17 Classified Instructional CA A 50 2020-06-16
   1940-November-15 Free Issue Free issue to Quebec Training School 2019-08-20
   1940-November-15 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 481 | 1968 611

Moth, Puss CFCCC, D.H.80A

s/n CFCCC

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-216

de Havilland Canada

CF-CCC

Used by Controller of Civil Aviation.
last update: 2025-February-06
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 615 | 1968 616

Moth, Puss GCYUR,

s/n GCYUR

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-214

de Havilland Canada

G-CYUR

Used as instrument trainer. Popular name was "Moth Three". Served at Ottawa. SOC 12.8.36
last update: 2025-February-06
   1931-May-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-August-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
   1937-February-03 Classified Instructional A 6 wings supplied, G-CYUS supplied wings 2020-06-10
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198

Moth, Puss GCYUS,

s/n GCYUS

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-215

de Havilland Canada

G-CYUS

Used as instrument trainer. Popular name was "Moth Three". Later became RCAF Instructional Airframe A 6. Scrapped Trenton .37
last update: 2025-February-06
   1931-May-14 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-August-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
   1937-February-03 Scrapped Scrapped, at Trenton. 2020-06-19
   1937-February-03 Classified Instructional CA A 6 2020-06-19
   1937-February-03 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 481

Moth, Puss GCYUT,

s/n GCYUT

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-218

de Havilland Canada

G-CYUT

Used as instrument trainer. Popular name was "Moth Three". Serving with Test Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe at time of crash. Wing failed in flight Ottawa 21.3.32
last update: 2025-February-06
   1931-May-03 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-June-29 Struck off Strength Struck off after wing failed in flight, near Ottawa, on 21 March 1932. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198

Moth, Puss GCYUU,

s/n GCYUU

m/d D.H.80A

c/n DHC-217

de Havilland Canada

G-CYUU

Used as instrument trainer and for liaison. Popular name was "Moth Three". Used at Winnipeg. SOC 12.8.36
last update: 2025-February-06
   1931-May-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1936-August-12 Scrapped Scrapped 2019-08-20
   1936-August-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198