TYPE: Tandem-seat ultralight biplane kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Scale (80 per cent) replica of de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth. First flight June 1994.

CURRENT VERSIONS: R-80 Tiger Moth: As described.
RS-80 Tiger Moth: Introduced 1999; has steel tube fuselage and 89.5 kW (120 hp) LOM M132 engine.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 10 kits sold by mid-2003, of which nine were then registered. Four under construction in Zimbabwe for use on aerial safaris.

COSTS: R.80 standard airframe kit US$12,350; excluding engine (2003); RS-80 standard airframe kit US$18,100 excluding engine (2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: Can be built using the contents of a basic tool kit. Quoted build time 550 hours. Single-bay, staggered biplane with N-type interplane struts and slight sweepback to constant-chord wings.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual, with horn-balanced rudder.

STRUCTURE: Wood construction using epoxy adhesives on preformed components.

LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Tubular steel mainwheel legs; Matco wheels with hydraulic brakes.

POWER PLANT: Prototype has one 70.8 kW (95 hp) Mid West AE100 ratary, but any engine between 55.9 and 89 kW (75 and 120 hp) can be fitted, including Rotax 912, Jabiru 3300, Subaru EA81-100, Norton rotary and LOM M132. One 72 litre (19.0 US gallon; 15.8 Imp gallon) centre-section fuel tank.