The deHavilland Fox Moth is probably not as well known in northern aviation history as the Fokker Universal, the Fairchild or the Norseman of its time or, indeed, the highly successful deHavilland Beavers and Otters that followed. Nevertheless, it is a part of northern aviation history, providing transportation and supply links that contributed to the post-World War II development of the North.

The Fox Moth was only one of a number of "Moth" designs produced by Geoffrey deHavilland of Great Britain after World War I. It was a combination of the Tiger and Puss Moths. The first Canadian Fox Moth was built in 1945, with a total of 53 being manufactured here. Max Ward, founder of Wardair, began his northern aviation career when he purchased a Fox Moth in 1946 and operated it out of Yellowknife. This was the beginning of a long and successful relationship between Ward and deHavilland.

In 1977, a local Yellowknifer initiated the concept of restoring a Fox Moth to its original condition using parts from various known crash sites. Although there were some sceptics, the idea soon caught on. With the assistance of Aero Arctic Helicopters and the Government of the Northwest Territories, parts of the aircraft were retrieved from three crash sites - the project was under way.

Written by Wally Wolfe and published in "Arctic" Volume 42, Number 1 pp.82-84