DH.94 Moth Minor

The de Havilland DH.94 Moth Minor was a low‑power, two‑seat monoplane introduced in 1932 as a development of the successful DH.60 Moth series. Built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company at its Hatfield facility, the Minor was designed to offer a more modern, compact trainer and club aircraft while retaining the simple handling that made the original Moth popular. It featured a high‑wing cantilever structure of all‑wooden construction, a 50‑horsepower (later 70‑hp) Pobjoy radial engine, and a streamlined, enclosed cockpit with side‑by‑side seating. The aircraft’s folding wings, lightweight airframe, and low operating cost made it attractive to flying clubs and private owners throughout Britain and the Commonwealth. Approximately 300 examples were produced before production ceased in 1937, and many were pressed into service as basic trainers for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at the outbreak of World War II. The DH.94’s contribution lies in bridging the gap between early open‑circuit biplanes and the more aerodynamic monoplanes that dominated the later 1930s, helping to standardize modern training practices and influencing post‑war light‑aircraft design. Some surviving Minor aircraft are preserved in museums and continue to fly at historic air rallies, demonstrating the type’s enduring appeal.