Tiger Moth 102 from "Museu do Ar" flown by A.Mimoso (L.Tavares)
Photo gallery
The De Havilland
Tiger Moth DH-82 / DH-82A
The Tiger Moth does not need any presentation, and also in the Portuguese
military service had a long life, serving both in the Naval and Army
Aviation (later Air Force). It was one of the most representative types
in our military aviation, and still flies today, at least in the annual
Air Force display, piloted by one of the authors of this page.
Below we will try to present its evolution along the years in Portuguese
service, also depicting as many colour schemes as possible:
Tiger with first type serial (probably 1)
(EMFA/CAVFA)
Tiger Moth 107 from the first batch. Note serial applied in the
rear fuselage and not on the cowling as done later (EMFA/CAVFA)
An all silver example from Tancos Air Base .Note the "galgo" (greyhound)
in front of the number.Photographed at S.Jacinto in June 4,1936 (EMFA/CAVFA)
Serial on cowling but only one color applied (olive green
?). Date unknown (EMFA/CAVFA)
Serial on cowling, but two colours (dark blue and yellow) (EMFA/CAVFA)
Front view of two colour scheme, with number on cowling.
Shows well the application of serial also under the cowling (EMFA/CAVFA)
Camouflaged example of Naval Aviation. Under the starboard wing
inner side is applied "T-3" facing forward. Under the port side there is
also the serial but facing rear. (EMFA/CAVFA)
Camouflaged Tiger of Naval Aviation, but with stylized "andorinha"
(swallow) insignia of S.Jacinto Naval Air Station on white disc in rear
fuselage. Note also camouflaged Airspeed Oxford of Naval Aviation in the
rear, with the same insignia. Photo of late forties (A.Parracho via L.Tavares)
Later scheme of Naval Aviation . All silver aircraft with
green and red vertical stripes in the rudder. Cross of Christ in four positions
in the wings. (EMFA/CAVFA)
Tiger 1114 (ex T-2 of Naval Aviation) after incorporation in the
Air Force. Note the complete serial (with four digits) under the port wing,
contradicting the general belief that the Tigers never used the full
serial (EMFA/CAVFA)
102 in a commemorative Tiger scheme at Beja Air Display May 1996
(L.Tavares)
As can be seen above, several different colour/markings schemes
can be applied to Portuguese Tigers by modellers, which we think is interesting
considering the that the photos usually published show always the dark-blue
and yellow scheme.