Planet Models 1/48th De Havilland
DH85 Leopard Moth
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History
Although outwardly similar in appearance to the earlier
Puss Moth the DH85 Leopard Moth represented a move ‘back’
by Geoffrey de Havilland to a simplified all wood method of construction.
Whereas tubular steel construction had been utilised in the ‘Puss
Moth’ the ‘Leopard Moth’ was based on a simple box construction
with spruce longerons and a plywood skin. Initial production examples
exhibited basic flat sides but later on in the production run wooden stringers
were added to the back, sides and lower and upper fuselage surfaces to
allow replacement of the plywood skin with fabric. This produced subtler
fuselage contours, adding to the overall elegance of the fuselage shape
and eliminating any problems with the warping of plywood in ‘unfriendly’
climates.
The combination of the lightweight wooden construction and the use of
the 130 h.p. Gypsy Major engine gave the DH85 a considerable performance
premium over the Puss Moth. The ‘Leopard Moth’ was able to
carry a pilot plus two passengers and associated luggage more than twice
as far as the earlier DH80a. In planform the ‘Leopard Moth’
was easily distinguishable from the ‘Puss Moth’ by virtue
of its tapered wings and in side view by the termination of the undercarriage
legs just below the cabin windows as opposed to the top longerons as in
the ‘Puss Moth’.
Packaging
 The
kit is contained in a none too rigid box that makes up for its fragility
with some striking colour box art of the kit subject, Leopard Moth G-ACUS.
The full size ‘Uniform Sierra’ is a magnificent example of
a pristine restoration of the type and has been seen flying in recent
years in such colourful events as the Woburn Abbey International Moth
Rally. As such there are numerous excellent colour photographs of this
aircraft to be found on the web – the box top illustration suggests
that Planet tapped into this rich reference source as they depict the
splendid red leather interior that can be seen in the many recent photographs
of this aircraft. (Standard De Havilland fit was grey antique leather
with grey fabric head lining and grey floor carpets – Aeroplane
March 2001)
The kit contents are contained in strong polythene inner packaging which
has been divided into three ‘cells’ containing the fuselage,
wings and other airframe components respectively.
The Kit
The kit comprises approximately 27 pieces of honey coloured resin together
with two vac form canopies and some clear plastic sheet for the windows.
Although there is some flash evident on the fuselage components this is
not excessive and is what would be expected from a short run kit of this
nature.
 A
decal sheet and a four-page black and white instruction sheet (2 double-sided
A4 sheets) complete the contents. The instruction sheet has a front page
containing a short history of the type and a graphical list of the kit
parts. Two pages are devoted to an exploded view of parts placement and
a logical build sequence. Some basic painting information is provided
for component parts but the modeller will need to research his or her
own cabin interior scheme as, apart form the ‘red fabric/leather’
trim suggested in the kit box illustration, there is only basic information
in this regard.
 Curiously,
although both the box art and the type history make reference to the externally
braced tail-plane, the construction diagrams lack any detail or positioning
information for these rigging elements. These must be placed as per the
diagram here.
The final page is devoted to the two exterior colour schemes provided
on the decal sheet. One is the striking blue and silver aircraft depicted
in the box illustration, G-ACUS. The alternative is a slightly more drab
RAF version, serial number BD148. Before being impressed into service
BD148 had been G-ACMA ‘Mercury II’ and owned by National Benzole.
The provision of both a civilian and military set of markings by Planet
will make this model attractive to a broader set of the modelling fraternity.
The colour guide for BD148 is somewhat confusing on the instruction sheet
as it retains the same colour key as that for G-ACUS (Gunze Sangyo Bright
blue and Silver) although indicating one area of RAF Dark Green on the
rear fuselage. Possibly a reprographics error!
A first glance at the resin components suggests a neat, but not over
intricate, replication of the essential detail – leaving plenty
of scope for modellers to add their own level of additional detail as
desired.
Rib and fabric detail on the wings and tail look about right; not overstated.
I think Planet have done a good job here. Looking at the wings in planform
it is apparent that the shape of the trailing edge at the wing root is
not quite correct. It lacks the small curved fillet where the trailing
edge sweeps back into the cabin roof. Not over difficult to correct but
an irritation all the same.
Rudimentary details are included on the cabin sidewall, again creating
a basis upon which the individual modeller can choose to develop additional
detail if so desired with the help of good references.
One immediately apparent challenge in the construction sequence will
be the joining of the wings to the fuselage. The instructions suggest
a simple butt joint – never an easy solution at the best of times
– but with the extensive glazing in the Leopard Moth fuselage roof
across a large portion of the wing chord, the use of brass pins or such
like to bolster the joint without visible evidence will be more difficult.
Some ingenuity will no doubt be required in this area to create a strong
and lasting attachment
The wing and undercarriage struts are nicely represented as is the rather
attractive curvilinear exhaust extension which is suspended from the centreline
of the fuselage underside almost all the way back to the wing trailing
edge.
It may be necessary to replace the resin wings struts with something
more substantial such as ‘Strutz’ to ensure adequate support
of the wings in view of the tricky wing to fuselage joint. The aileron
balance horns and control column are delicately moulded and will require
careful handling so as not to disappear into the many ‘black holes’
which lurk on most modelling benches!
Planet have provided a basic instrument panel but this is somewhat ‘truncated’
and will need to be augmented to create the right shape for the DH85,
including the ‘cut-out’ where the compass is housed.
Decals
The decal sheet is crisply printed and looks to be of high quality.
The RAF roundels for BD148 are in perfect register and the sheet provides
nice reproductions of the characteristic De Havilland logos which are
positioned on the wheel hubs. The larger lettering for the wings of G-ACUS
are grouped within single decal pieces for ease of alignment but I suspect
most modellers will want to cut out individual letters to reduce any unwanted
‘silvering’ in the final finish.
Conclusion
The production of any pre-war De Havilland aircraft in 1/48 scale is
a most welcome development to me. It is an added bonus that the very elegant
Leopard Moth has been Planet’s choice of subject. Whilst you will
always pay a premium for short-run resin kits the opportunity to create
models that the mainstream kit manufacturers will likely never cover is
one that should not be overlooked. To enthusiasts of inter-war civil model
aircraft that epitomise a bygone era of private and corporate aviation
this model is a must.
By definition short run resin kits are not for beginners and the Planet
DH85 will require some aptitude and experience with this material. Although
there are a few questions over some component accuracy these are relatively
minor. The kit provides what I believe is an essential pre-requisite for
modelling satisfaction these days – an accurate airframe in profile
and dimension and a sound platform upon which the modeller can add scratch
built details and finish according to his or her own aptitude and motivation.
Planet is to be congratulated for producing this kit and hopefully it
will be the forerunner of other ‘between the wars’ civil subjects.
Highly recommended.
I acquired my Planet Leopard Moth from Hannants London shop at Colindale
and paid around £35
References
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Flight; Nov 30, 1933 ‘De Havilland ‘Leopard Moth’
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The Aeromodeller; May 1941, The DH85 ‘Leopard Moth’
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Wingspan; March 1991, ‘Zeuzera Pyrina’ – Leopard
Moth
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Jackson, A.J. (1962) De Havilland Aircraft Since 1915, London: Putnam
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Aeroplane Monthly, March 2001, ‘Database’
Web Sites with Images of G-ACUS
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