De Havilland Fox Moth by AVI Models

1/72 scale
Kit No. 72012
Cost: $45.00
Decals: Two versions
Comments: Option for floats or skis, resin detail parts

History

The de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth was a successful small passenger carrying biplane of the 1930’s, designed in late 1931 as a low cost light passenger aircraft. The Fox Moth flew for the first time in January 29, 1932, powered by a single de Havilland Gipsy Major I inline inverted engine (later models would use the Gipsy III), and used many components of its more famous predecessor, the DH.82 Tiger Moth which was then being built in large quantities as a military trainer.

The engine, tailplane, fin, rudder and wings were identical to those of the Tiger Moth. These were fitted to the purpose-built wooden, plywood-covered fuselage (longerons: ash forward of the pilot, aft Sitka spruce). The pilot sat in a raised cockpit above and behind the small enclosed passenger cabin, which could be fitted with up to four seats for short-range hops. The passengers were provided with side windows, while the pilot had a circular glass ‘porthole’ in the instrument panel, so that he could check on their well-being. The “Speed Model” was fitted with an enclosed canopy and fairing for the pilot, and the wings folded for space saving storage.

Domestic production was shared evenly between sales within the United Kingdom and exports, with 49 aircraft each going onto the British register and being sent overseas. Despite its limited power, most DH83 Fox Moths were delivered to commercial operators including Scottish Motor Traction Ltd (a fleet of eight) and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd (with four). The type played an important role in the formation of domestic air services in the British Isles and it was also popular for passenger pleasure flights both pre- and post-war. One aircraft (G-ACEJ) was used for many years to fly holiday makers from the expansive sands of Southport Beach on England’s West Coast.

The Fox Moth enjoyed some success as an export, with 53 being license built in Canada, many of them destined to become bush planes. A number of DH83’s also went into use with Qantas and the Australian Flying Doctor Service, replacing their aging DH50’s with others, like the Canadian examples, becoming renowned as excellent bush planes. While conceived as a civilian passenger aircraft, its use as a bush plane and ability to operate in rugged conditions led to its adoption by several Air Forces, including that of Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa and Yugoslavia.

Basic specifications:

Wingspan: 30′ 10.5″
Length: 25′ 9″
Height: 8′ 9.5″l
Powerplant: 130 H.P. Gipsy Major in-line piston engine
Cruising speed: 96 m.p.h.
Maximum speed: 113 m.p.h.
Service Ceiling: 12,700 feet
Range: 360 miles

The Kit

Released in 2019, AVI Models de Havilland Fox Moth is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 50 parts, including 8 clear parts for the windscreen, canopy and cabin windows. There are 12 additional resin parts for the floats, skis, and struts for both. The kit has a basic cockpit featuring a pilot’s seat, floor, and control yoke, but little else — there is no part for the main instrument panel. The seating in the passenger cabin consists of a plain bench, so although the Fox Moth had a reputation for a fair amount of comfort, the kit mold does not appear to represent it.

Upper and lower wings consist of a single part each, with an additional part for a fuel tank mounted on the upper surface of the upper wing. The interplane struts appear to be rugged enough to sustain the weight of the upper wing, which can be a concern with some biplane kits. However, since the struts for the floats or skis are resin, and fairly thin, there could be a need to scratch build replacements for those parts. The kit features separately mounted cabin doors on each side of the fuselage, and the instructions call for a small section of plastic to be removed from the fuselage before the doors are cemented in.

There is a three-part cowling and a one-piece propeller, and while some modelers may be disappointed that there is no engine to tackle, the lack of one will speed construction. The horizontal and vertical tails are separately mounted, as is a fairing for the dorsal spine of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. Studying the instructions, the only point of concern with this kit will be fitting either the skis or floats, due to the spindly looking nature of the struts provided.

Markings

Decals are provided for two versions, one British and one Canadian, both with civil registration. The first is a wartime version, serial no. 4094 which was given the Newfoundland civil registration VO-ADE. It was operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force out of station Gander from the Spring of 1941 until at least the beginning of 1945. It was fitted at various times with either struts or skis, depending on where it was operating, and bears a paint scheme of International Orange on all upper surfaces including both wings, the upper third of the fuselage, and two central flashes running most of the length of its floats. The bottom two-thirds of the fuselage, all under surfaces, and most of the floats are aluminum or natural metal.

The second is a pre-war version, serial no. 4089, civil registration G-ACRU, and was used by the British Graham Land Expedition for reconnaissance, aerial surveying and depot layout during its expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula from 1934 to 1937. Like the Canadian version, G-ACRU used both floats and skis. It bears a slightly different paint scheme, although it employs the same colors. The entire fuselage except for the tail unit is International Orange, while the wings and tail are entirely in aluminum or natural metal. The floats likewise are natural metal, but with a central flash of black along the tops of the floats.

Conclusion

This highly interesting and unusual kit will be a welcome addition to any modelers looking for something a little different. The only drawbacks are that the cabin and cockpit interiors could be a bit more detailed, and the support struts for the floats/skis do look as though they should be a bit thicker. Highly recommended nonetheless.

References

www.baesystems.com
www.bushplane.com
www.wikipedia.org