Our gallery proudly features a replica of the iconic DHC-83 Fox Moth in the historic livery of CF-BNP. First conceived by the British aviation manufacturer de Havilland in late 1931, the Fox Moth was designed to be light, compact, economical, and reliable. It quickly proved itself in Canada’s rugged north as a remarkably capable bush plane.
Following the Second World War, de Havilland Canada updated the original British design and introduced the DHC-83 Fox Moth. The first Canadian-built version took to the skies on 9 December 1945—and nearly 80 years later, in June 2025, our faithful replica found its home in the museum’s Gallery.
The Genesis of the Fox Moth: Design and Early Production
The DH.83 Fox Moth was the brainchild of de Havilland designer A.E. Hagg, who was seeking an efficient aircraft to fly his family to the coast on weekends for sailing. Built as a cost-effective evolution of the proven DH.82 Tiger Moth, the Fox Moth strategically shared components such as wings, tail unit, undercarriage, and engine mounts. This approach kept manufacturing costs low and simplified production.
The Fox Moth’s most distinct feature was its wooden, plywood-covered fuselage. The pilot sat in an open rear cockpit, while three to four passengers were seated in a small, enclosed forward cabin. Despite a bulkier fuselage, the Fox Moth outpaced the Tiger Moth in speed—an aerodynamic achievement. Uniquely, the pilot’s instrument panel had a central cut-out to allow communication with passengers.
The prototype, registered G-ABUO, was quickly dispatched to Canada, where it underwent evaluation on floats and skis with Canadian Airways Ltd. The success of these trials was so pronounced that de Havilland established a production line in Toronto. Seven aircraft were assembled there even before the larger postwar production run, reflecting Canada’s early recognition of the aircraft’s potential.
The DH.83C Fox Moth: Tailored for the Canadian North
After the war, de Havilland Canada produced 53 units of the DH.83C Fox Moth. This effort served a dual purpose: to keep the factory operational and to meet the growing need for new bush planes in Canada’s rapidly developing northern regions.
The Canadian version featured several enhancements, including a more powerful 145 hp Gipsy Major 1C engine. The cockpit was enlarged with a wider canopy and windscreen, significantly improving pilot visibility—an essential safety factor in the challenging conditions of northern flying. One practical innovation was the addition of a large ambulance door on the port side to accommodate stretchers. Notably, the Canadian Fox Moth did not feature folding wings, favouring structural strength over storage convenience—an appropriate choice for rough bush operations.
A Workhorse of the Bush: Operational Impact in Canada
The DH.83C earned a reputation as an “excellent and economical bush plane.” Of the 53 units built in Canada, 39 remained in-country, most often operated on floats or skis. Its flexibility in handling waterways, snowfields, or traditional runways made it invaluable in the varied and unforgiving terrain of the Canadian North.
The Fox Moth occupied a transitional period in Canadian aviation, bridging the gap between the golden age of bush flying and the dawn of regional passenger airlines. One noteworthy operator was Max Ward, a legendary bush pilot who launched his Polaris Charter Company Ltd. in Yellowknife using a single Fox Moth, CF-DJB. From that modest beginning—ferrying prospectors and supplies into remote mining camps—Ward would go on to found the major Canadian airline Wardair.
Our DHC-83 Fox Moth CF-BNP
After decades of effort, and a relocation from the museum’s former Ferry Street site, our Fox Moth replica has been on display since early 2025. The core structure and wings were constructed by Ron Jackson of Calgary, who first reached out to the museum in 1992 seeking plans and technical drawings to build an accurate replica. Over nearly a decade—between 1995 and 2004—Jackson dedicated more than 2,000 hours to the project. A 2004 assessment by Hurricane Consulting estimated the work to be 30–40% complete.
That year, the museum acquired the partially completed aircraft and transported it to Winnipeg. Restoration was led by the late Al Nelson, a former Fox Moth pilot and head of the museum’s restoration team. While Jackson had intended to replicate CF-BNO, the aircraft’s composite nature—built from parts of multiple wrecks—prompted a different choice. The museum instead selected the registration CF-BNP.
CF-BNP held strong ties to the Winnipeg area, regularly operating out of the old Brandon Avenue Station. It crashed on takeoff near Duck Lake, by Kenora, on 22 September 1954. But perhaps most importantly, Al Nelson himself had flown CF-BNP—making it a fitting and personal tribute to honour both the aircraft’s and the pilot’s legacy.
Painstakingly restored and carefully recreated, CF-BNP was installed in the museum’s Gallery in June 2025. It stands as a compelling tribute to one of Canada’s lesser-known but highly influential bush planes. We invite all visitors to discover its story—up close and in person.
