Last updated 22 Auguat 2022
DH.85 LEOPARD MOTH IN AUSTRALIA Compiled by Geoff Goodall
Designed by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd in 1933 as a private owner aircraft as a successor to the DH.80 Puss Moth. Of generally similar design and dimensions, the Puss Moth's metal fuselage frame was replaced by spruce and plywood construction which was cheaper to build and weight saving allowed an extra passenger, making the Leopard Moth a comfortable 3 seater. It was powered by the more powerful 130hp DH Gipsy Major engine, which gave a better performance in speed and range to the Puss Moth.
A production run of 132 DH.85 Leopard Moths commenced at De Havilland's works at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgeware, where the prototype was first flown 27 May 1933. With the closing of Stag Lane, DH.85 production was transferred to the company's Hatfield factory during 1934.
Later during production, Leopard Moths had the fuselage flat sides modified with longitudinal stringers to add contours to the sides. However all production retained the same designation DH.85.
Restored
cabin of VH-UUL in 2016.
Photo by Ross Stenhouse
A total of ten Leopard Moths were registered in Australia, all arriving pre-World War II. During the war, the type escaped impressment by RAAF as communications aircraft during the war because most were owned by pastoralists or otherwise supporting essential wartime production of meat and wool. These continued to fly on wartime fuel rations, whilke others were retired for the duration.
This listing is presented in order of appearance on the Civil Register:
C/n 7021 VH-URK, VH-AJN
| 1.34 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Stag Lane |
| 6.1.34 | First flight |
| 6.1.34 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 3.3.34 | First flight Mascot by A. Murray-Jones of DH Aircraft |
| 5.3.34 | Australian Registration application: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW |
| 6.3.34 | Registered VH-URK |
| 6.3.34 | CofA issued |
| 27.4.34 | Change of ownership: James V. Fairbairn, Mount Elephant, Derrinallum Vic Jim Fairbairn was a Member of the House of Representatives in Federal Parliament, Canberra and a keen private aviator. |
| 1.3.35 | Test flown Melbourne Airport, Coode Island Vic after CofA renewal overhaul by Larkin Aircraft Supply Co, pilot J. V. Fairbairn |
| 2.7.35 | De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Mascot installed an opening in the fuselage to allow owner to stow a spare propeller. After modification completed, J. V. Fairbairn departed Mascot next day |
| 8.3.36 | Test flown Essendon after CofA renewal by Matthews Aviation, pilot J.V. Fairbairn |
| 8.9.36 | Change of ownership: Charles Osborne Fairbairn, "Banonbill" farm, Skipton Vic |
| 4.11.37 | Test flown Essendon after CofA renewal by Matthews Aviation, pilot C.O. Fairbairn |
| 25.7.38 | Damaged on landing "Logans Downs", Clermont Qld due landing area soft surface from recent rain, pilot C. Osborne Fairbairn was unhurt. |
| Moved to Mascot for repair by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 18.10.38 | Test flown Mascot after rebuild, pilot A. Murray-Jones of DH Aircraft |
| 11.11.39 | Test flown Essendon after CofA renewal by Matthews Aviation, pilot C.O. Fairbairn |
| 3.1.40 | Minor modifications by Victorian & Interstate Airways, Essendon signed off by Chief Engineer J. Hart |
| 2.12.40 | Test flown Essendon by C.O. Fairbairn after CofA renewal by Ansett Airways |
| 11.12.41 | CofA renewed at RAAF Station, Ballarat Vic where Wing Commander C. O. Fairbairn was stationed |
| 4.2.43 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 25.8.43 | Change of ownership: Major Geoffrey Cohen, Melbourne Vic Major Cohen requested a fuel ration to ferry the aircraft from Ballarat to Essendon |
| 11.4.44 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 1.4.45 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 7.9.45 | Change of ownership: Robert S. White, "Eskdale", Toogoolawah via Esk Qld |
| 9.45 | Delivered from Essendon to Esk by Mr. W.B.Campbell |
| 11.45 | Inspected by DCA while parked in Qantas hangar at Archerfield. A number of defects were reported and aircraft was stated to be in unsatisfactory condition. Promptly repaired. |
| DCA report: White keeps the aircraft at Archerfield and does not employ a pilot. When he requires the aircraft he arranges to have it flown by an available pilot from Archerfield to Eskdale to collect him. After each trip it is returned to hangar storage ar Archerfield. | |
| 3.5.46 | CofA renewed at Archerfield |
| 17.8.46 | Damaged in forced landing Kempsey NSW |
| 29.8.46 | DCA report: VH-URK has arrived at Archerfield for accident repairs |
| 30.11.46 | Change of ownership: Keith A. Virtue, Brisbane Qld. Purchased in damaged condition |
| 5.47 | Virtue advises DCA that rebuild will commence soon by Air Repair Co at Archerfield |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register |
| 25.2.49 | Restored to Register: Keith A. Virtue, Brisbane Qld |
| 25.2.49 | CofA renewed at Archerfield after rebuild |
| 12.4.50 | CofA renewed at Archerfield |
| 10.5.50 | Change of ownership: Max B. Bushell, "Dundee" Station, Morven, via Charleville Qld |
| 6.4.51 | CofA renewed at Archerfield |
| 5.7.51 | Damaged on landing at "Dundee" Station, Morven Qld |
| 10.51 | Repair has commenced |
| 1.52 | Repair delayed while waiting for parts from UK |
| 10.7.53 | Change of ownership: David E. Cameron, Brisbane Qld, later "The Grange", Nanango Qld |
| 2.58 | Aircraft magazine advertisement: Airwork Co Pty Ltd,
Archerfield offers for sale: DH.89, DH.85, Miles Mercury, Mk.5 Auster, Lockheed 12. |
| 21.5.58 | Change of ownership: Airwork Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane Qld |
| 25.8.58 | Re-registered and change of ownership: VH-AJN: A. Nixon, Brisbane Qld |
| 31.1.64 | Change of ownership: Ian T. Hunter, Brisbane Qld |
| 12.1.66 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 20.5.66 | Restored to Register VH-AJN: Clifford J. Adams, Grafton NSW |
| 9.10.67 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 29.7.68 | Restored to Register VH-AJN: Clifford J. Adams, Grafton NSW |
| 13.10.68 | Change of ownership: D. Quinn, Toowoomba Qld |
| 12.1.69 | noted at Surfers Paradise race track airstrip Qld, flying |
| 30.5.69 | Change of ownership: R. J. Baartz, Bowenville Qld |
| 6.5.71 | Change of ownership: Daniel K. McLardy, Toowoomba Qld |
| 15.9.71 | Destroyed in hangar fire at Toowoomba Qld. A total of five aircraft were destroyed when fire burnt out the Union Air hangar at Toowoomba Airport, including Auster VH-RJL, Beech Baron VH-RUU, and Beech Queenair VH-EZM. |
| 27.10.71 | Struck-off Register |
Photo by Bob Livingstone
| 9.34 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Stag Lane |
| 27.9.34 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| Assembled at Mascot by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 3.11.34 | Australian Registration application: John James Thorpe, Armadale WA To be based Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 4.12.34 | Registered VH-USK |
| 4.12.34 | Australian CofA issued |
| 13.12.34 | Departed Mascot on delivery flight to Perth, flown by J.J.Thorpe. Overnighted Adelaide |
| 15.12.34 | Arrived at Maylands Aerodrome, Perth on delivery flight, after spending the previous night at Kalgoorlie. Thorpe said the Leopard Moth was the "Rolls Royce of the Air". He would use the aircraft for his private use. |
| 2.37 | Change of ownership: P. H. Moody t/a P. H. Moody Air Taxis, Rockhampton Qld |
| 4.2.37 | Moody departed Maylands on delivery flight to Rockhampton |
| 9.2.39 | Change of owner's name: Air Taxis Pty Ltd, Rockhampton Qld. (Manager P. H. Moody) |
| 13.3.39 | Change of ownership: Eric P. Beresford, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 20.9.39 | Beresford wrote to DCA: VH-USK is based at Cunnamulla, 600
miles inland, and must be flown significant distances to have mandatory
inspections. With petrol rationing soon to be imposed due to the war
situation, he seeks advice. DCA Brisbane office replied, delightfully missing the point and helpfully advising that his annual CofA renewals could be carried out at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane by Royal Queensland Aero Club, Qantas Empire Airways, Aircrafts Pty Ltd or Airlines of Australia. |
| 7.5.42 | CofA expired. Retired at Cunnamulla. |
| 11.43 | DCA investigate reports VH-USV is flying without a current CofA. Eric Beresford responded that the aircraft is maintained in good condition and has been flown for "only essential purposes on my own property". |
| 21.2.44 | CofA renewed at Cunnamulla by DCA aircraft inspector H. Affleck |
| 31.1.45 | Flown Cunnamulla to Warwick Qld by E. Beresford, taking his two daughters to their school. In a press report Mr. beresford said the 4 hour flight was preferrable to two days by train. |
| 31.8.45 | Change of ownership: Roy L. Beresford, "Farnham Downs" Station, Eulo Qld Roy is Eric Beresford's brother. |
| 25.9.47 | Roy Beresford wrote to DCA complaining in strongest terms over the Air Navigation Charges he is required to pay when the aircraft is based on his own property, using airstrips he has built. It is used for aerial mustering of sheep. |
| 4.49 | More correspondence between Roy Beresford and DCA regarding charges and requirements for aircraft inspections. Beresford states that his pilot is Mr. Colin Young, but conditions on the land are so bad that he will soon have to cease his employment and sell his sheep flock |
| 26.9.50 | Crashed "Curragh" Station, Cunnamulla Qld. (Anecdotal reports say aircraft crashed at night, pilot flying while intoxicated) |
| 9.51 | Owner advises DCA that he has no intention of rebuilding the aircraft |
| 13.9.51 | Struck-off Register |
| .75 | Acquired as a restoration project by Greg Challinor t/a Mothcair
Aviation, Murwillumbah NSW. Fuselage complete with fabric covering standing on its landing gear, all silver. |
| 17.4.75 | Arrived by road at Caboolture airfield near Briusbane from Cunnamulla. Stored in hangar at Caboolture |
| Greg Challinor wrote in 1997: "VH-USK had been damaged in 1950 and stored as a source of spares for UVF. Luckily for USK, the need for parts did not arise and when I obtained it, it was very much the same as it would have been after its 1950 accident." | |
| 10.90 | noted at Mothcair Aviation hangar at Murwillumbah NSW, fuselage standing on its gear, large fuselage registration |
| 97 | under restoration at Murwillumbah |
| 18.1.01 | Restored to Register VH-USK: Gregory P. Challinor, Stokers Siding NSW |
| 4.09 | VH-USK noted at Murwillumbah, restoration to fly almost
completed. Painted glossy red with black trim. All that was needed were
engine cowlings which had been contracted out to be fabricated. The cowlings were installed the following month |
| 20.6.15 | Change of ownership: Ardmore Aviation Services Ltd, Hong Kong Operator: Warwick M. Woinarski, Redcliffe Qld |
| Based at Redcliffe Qld, owner reported as New Zealander Mark Jack | |
| Current |
fuselage sides, rather than the usual flat sides. Frank Walters collection
| 9.34 | Built at Stag Lane by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd. |
| 24.9.34 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-USM for a new DH.85 at the request of De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney |
| 27.10.34 | First flight at Stag Lane |
| 2.11.34 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 12.34 | Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd |
| 24.12.34 | Testflown Mascot after assembly |
| 27.12.34 | Registration application: John W. F. Collins, "Nindooinbah" Station, Beaudesert Qld |
| 2.1.35 | Registered VH-USM |
| 2.1.35 | Australian CofA issued |
| 1.36 | Collins had wireless and Direction Finding gear installed, wheel spats and polished Fairey Reed propeller |
| 15.1.36 | Collins flew VH-USM from "Nindooinbah" Station, Beaudesert to Sydney and return on the same day on a business trip. |
| 5.4.36 | Refuelled at Longreach Qld, Mr. J. W. F. Collins carrying two passengers from Camooweal to Sydney |
| 5.36 | Collins requested CAB approval to have self-retracting landing lights fitted. Installation approved. |
| 14.8.36 | Flown over Brisbane city at night by Collins |
| 21.11.36 | Change of ownership: Clive A. Knudsen, "Bonna" Station, Bundaberg Qld |
| Maintained continuously airworthy until 1948 by Knudsen, annual CofA renewal inspections being carried out on schedule | |
| 14.3.37 | Arrived Cairns from Cloncurry and Normanton, flown by C.A.Knudsen and S. Howard. Departed next day for Bundaberg. |
| 12.42 | Ferried Bundaberg to Archerfield for CofA renewal. Aircraft has not yet been painted in camouflage as required under wartime regulations for civil aircraft |
| 25.6.48 | Change of ownership: Robert Lauder (Junior), "Melray" Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 23.8.50 | DCA approved a short-term extension to CofA after a telegram
from Lauder: "will be unable to give USM a CofA for at least two
months. Floods and rain have disorganised work on the property." |
| 19.8.50 | CofA expired, not renewed. Stored on "Melray" Station |
| 20.8.55 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| Later owner Greg Challinor wrote in 1997: "VH-USM had been owned by Robert Lauder in Cunnamulla. In the early 1950s the aeropane had been slightly damaged. While awaiting repairs its hangar partly collapsed damaging it further. It was then dismantled and stored on the open verandah of the property causing further deterioration over the years." | |
| .72 | Derelict remains acquired by George Sutherland, Gympie Qld Comprised forward fuselage, sections of wing and tail structures plus smaller parts |
| 1.73 | The airframe remains were moved by road from Cunnamulla to Gympie Qld |
| 23.2.80 | Sold to Gregory P. Challinor, Murwillumbah NSW at an auction at Gympie of George Sutherland's vintage aircraft collection: by then VH-USM comprised a collection of airframe sections and metal fittings only |
| 3.80 | Parts collection moved by road from Gympie to Murwillumbah NSW |
| 23.4.80 | VH-USM’s remains noted at Murwillumbah in the Challinor hangar |
| Greg Challinor writes: "When I bought VH-USM and brought it home it was
a very sad sight. The fuselage was reduced to many bits of spruce with
the metal fittings still attached. Mainplanes and tail surfaces were
pretty much intact. Undercarriage, lift struts etc were thankfully in
good condition. After going through the box of parts, surprisingly
little was missing. After a few years of much thought and very little work on USM due to other rebuild commitments, a chance came to purchase another Leopard VH-USK, along with the fuselage of another VH-UVF. Since VH-USM requires near total wood replacement, it will be put aside for a later restoration, while USK & UVF are under current restoration." | |
| 97 | Stored in the Mothcair hangar at Murwillumbah NSW, pending long-term restoration project |
| | Fuselage
restoration at Murwillumbah, based on a new-build fuselage shell
utilising the metal components from the original VH-USM |
| 2015 | Restoration sold to Jim Creswell, Batchley Farm, Hordle, England |
| Late 2015 | Restored fuselage standing on its undercarriage, plus components, arrived at owner's farm, where work continued |
| 7.2.19 |
Restoration package sold to David C. Reid, Oaklands Farm, Haveringland, Norwich Reid sold his DH.87 Hornet Moth that same month to finance the completion of the Leopard Moth. |
| 29.6.20 |
Registered G-CLSM: David C. Reid, Oaklands Farm, Haveringland, Norwich |
| 6.20 |
British CAA approved owner's request that when restoration is completed the aircraft can fly painted as "G-AUSM" to recognise its Australian origin. (In fact the Australian G-AU registration series changed to VH-U series in 1929) |
| April 2021 Report : "David Reid's rebuild of Leopard Moth VH-USM is making good progress at Haveringland near Norwich |
Photo: QEA, via Archerfield Jet Base which now occupies that hangar.
| 28.5.38 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UUE to De
Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.85 to be imported. Australian registration will be applied in the factory |
| 8.35 | Built at Hatfield by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd. DH.85 production was transferred to Hatfield when the DH Stag Lane works were closed during 1934 |
| 20.8.35 | First flight at Hatfield, pilot E. G. Wright. Four separate test flights that day by E.G.Wright: flight times 20 minutes,10 min, 5 min, 10 min |
| 21.8.35 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Dismantled and boxed for shipment to Australia | |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 10.35 | Assembled at Mascot by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, signed out by J. McConnell |
| 21.10.35 | Test flown at Mascot after assembly, pilot DHA Manager A. Murray Jones. Four separate flights that day of 10 mins, 10 mins, 10 mins, 30 mins |
| 23.10.35 | Local flight Mascot, 1 hr 45 min |
| 24.10.35 | Local flight from Mascot, 4 hr |
| 25.10.35 | Local flight from Mascot, 4 hr |
| 26.10.35 | Registered VH-UUE: George W. Sawtell, Sydney NSW |
| 26.10.35 | Australian CofA issued |
| 26.10.35 | Two local flights from Mascot: 2 hrs each |
| 27-29.10.35 | Mascot-Junee-Mascot |
| 9.11.35 | Mascot-Bathurst-Mascot. Also 23.11.35 |
| 25-27.11.35 | Mascot-Canberra-Mascot |
| 10.12.35 | Mascot-Narromine-Mascot |
| 11.12.35 | Mascot-Cowra-Cootamundra-Mascot |
| 12.12.35 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| Log book: regular local flights at Mascot from now on, between travel flights | |
| 7.2.36 | Mascot-Bombala-Mascot |
| 11.2.36 | Mascot-Coolah-Mascot |
| 13.2.36 | Mascot-Brisbane-Mascot, 8 hrs 50 mins |
| 15-17.2.36 | Mascot-Mudgee three return flights plus local flying Mudgee |
| 20.2.36 | Mascot Essendon |
| 10.3.36 | Essendon-Parafield |
| 12.3.36 | Parafield-Mascot |
| 3.36 | CAB memo: Sawtell has had spats fitted to the main wheels |
| 31.3.36 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| 1.4.36 |
Mascot-Old Bar-Mascot |
| 8.4.36 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| 10.4.36 | Mascot-Newcastle-Mascot, also 22.4.36 |
| 5.5.36 | Mascot-Goulburn-Mascot |
| 13-24.5.36 | Mascot-Cowra-Brewarrina-Cowra-Mascot |
| 12.6.36 | Mascot-Kempsey-Mascot |
| 7.8.36 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| 20.8.36 Newspaper report:
well-known sportsman pastoralist and pilot George Sawtell departed
Mascot yesterday on a leisurely around-Australia flight. He will
pick up
J. J. Fagen at Cowra NSW. | |
| 19.8-4.9.36 | Log book: Mascot to
Cowra, Essendon, Parafield, Ceduna, Forrest, Perth, Carnarvon,
Broome,Victoria River Downs, Darwin, Daly Waters,Cloncurry, Mackay, Brisbane, Mascot |
| 6-7.9.36 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| 3.10.36 | Test flown Mascot by G.W.Sawtell after CofA renewal overhaul by De Havilland Aircraft |
| 10-14.6.37 | Mascot-Adelaide-Mascot |
| 27.10.37 | Test flown Mascot by G.W.Sawtell after CofA renewal overhaul by De Havilland Aircraft |
| 2.11.37 | Mascot-Broken Bay-Mascot |
| 4.11.37 | Mascot-Cowra-Mascot |
| 7.11.37 | Mascot-Goulburn-Camden-Mascot. Airframe Logbook No.1 ends: total hours 274 hrs 40 mins |
| 6.11.38 | Test flown Mascot by G.W.Sawtell after CofA renewal overhaul by De Havilland Aircraft |
| 27.3.39 | Change of ownership: Air Taxis Pty Ltd, Connor Park aerodrome, Rockhampton Qld c/- Captain P. H. Moody |
| 21.6.39 | Change of ownership: R. S. White, "Eskdale" Station, Esk Qld |
| 21.10.39 | Test flown Archerfield by Lex W. Winton after CofA renewal by Qantas |
| 11.40 | Test flown Archerfield by J.A.Bashford after CofA renewal by Qantas |
| 7.12.41 | CofA expired. Not renewed immediately due to the war situation. Stored Archerfield |
| 11.3.42 | CofA renewed Archerfield |
| 10.3.43 | CofA expired. Stored Archerfield |
| 14.9.43 | Change of ownership: Robert R. Lauder, "Cleland" Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 22.12.43 | CofA renewed Archerfield |
| 12.44 | Two month CofA extension requested by Lauder because sheep sheering
and drought conditions were preventing him flying the aircraft to Sydney
for CofA renewal overhaul. Approved by DCA. |
| 11.3.45 | CofA renewed at Cunnamulla. Aircraft has been resprayed all silver |
| 3.46 | DCA memo: Mr. S.D.Marshall of Marshall Airways, Mascot will visit Cunnamulla to carry out CofA renewal overhauls for DH.85s UUE & UVF and DH.87 UVV. |
| 18.5.46 | CofA renewed at Cunnamulla |
| 15.9.46 | Damaged in accident Cunnamulla Qld |
| 11.5.47 | Damaged in accident Wollongong NSW Date also reported as 15.5.47 |
| .47 | Moved to Archerfield for rebuild by Air Repair |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register |
| 14.8.50 | CofA renewed at Archerfield after rebuild |
| 14.8.50 | Restored to Register: Robert R. Lauder, "Cleland" Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 1.6.51 | Change of ownership: Harold Lauder, "Cleland" Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 6.6.56 | Change of ownership: Walter Schulz, Hughenden Qld |
| 3.7.61 | Change of ownership: Peter K. Dart, "Tancred" Station, Aramac Qld |
| 12.9.63 | Change of ownership: Dart Pastoral Co, Hughenden Qld, later Aramac Qld |
| 4.11.67 | Change of ownership: William H. Taylor & R. McCartin, Mundingburra Qld |
| 8.1.72 | noted at Townsville, under maintenance in aero club hangar |
| 10.5.74 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 10.8.74 | noted Townsville Qld in aero club hangar, under active restoration by owner Harry Taylor who was a ground engineer with the aero club |
| 27.11.75 | Restored to Register: William Harold Taylor, Townsville Qld |
| 7.6.75 | noted at Townsville, outside aero club hangar having engine run by Harry Taylor. Blue and white. |
| 8.8.75 | noted at Townsville, in hangar with wings folded |
| 30.8.76 | Delivered to Wodonga Vic, ferried from Townsville in 16 hours flying time. Sold to Joe Drage |
| 10.9.76 | Register Change of ownership: Joseph G. Drage/ Drage Historic Aircraft Collection, Wodonga Vic |
| 5.11.76 | noted at Drage Historic Aircraft Collection on Drage's farming property near Wodonga Vic |
| 1.85 | Moved from Wodonga to Wangaratta with the rest of the Drage Historic Aircraft Collection. Eight were ferried. Displayed in the new Drage Airworld hangar at Wangaratta Airport. |
| 3.4.85 | Change of ownership: City of Wangaratta, Wangaratta Vic. The local shire took over the ownership and operation of Air World |
| 8.96 | Auction announced for disposal of 10 aircraft of the Airworld Collection, which had been forced to rationalise to continue. Among the ten aircraft was DH.85 VH-UUE offered in airworthy condition. |
| 19.11.96 | Sold at auction of selected Airworld Collection aircraft to John Clark, Geelong Vic. |
| .96 | Flown out of Wangaratta, maintained airworthy. |
| 30.1.97 | Change of ownership: CGC Bureau Services Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic c/- John Clark |
| 14.5.99 | Change of ownership: Briar Hall Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic c/- John Clark |
| 4.01 | VH-UUE noted at Moorabbin Vic |
| 8.5.02 | Change of ownership: Murray Rockes, Melbourne Vic |
| 27.8.02 | Change of ownership back to: Briar Hall Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic |
| 31.3.06 | Change of ownership: Harvey D. McBain, Nelson Vic |
| Stored in hangar Nelson, complete but in need of a full restoration |
|
| .20 |
Sold to James Cresswell, Lymington, Oxfordshire UK |
| 1.21 |
VH-UUE arrived dismantled at Cresswell's hangar after shipping from Australia. Jim Cresswell is a vintage aircraft restorer who also owns DH.85 G-ACOL |
| Current |
It has the contoured fuselage sides of the later production aircraft. Frank Walters collection
Photo by Geoff Goodall
| Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Hatfield | |
| 28.5.35 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UUG to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.85 to be imported |
| 13.9.35 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydey NSW |
| .35 | Ordered from De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney by Nancy Bird, who at a young age had been barnstorming the outback with fellow aviatrix Peggy McKillop in Nancy's DH.60G Gipsy Moth VH-UTN, which she traded on the new Leopard Moth. |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 11.35 | Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd |
| 14.11.35 | Test flight Mascot after assembly |
| 18.11.35 | Registered VH-UUG: Miss Nancy de Low Bird, Sydney NSW. Named The Conqueror |
| 18.11.35 | Australian CofA issued. |
| Nancy Bird describes the DH.85's arrival in her book My God! It's a Woman: "The ship carrying my Moth eventually arrived from England and there is only one word to decribe how she looked - magnificent. She was a high winged monoplane with a French-grey fuselage, silver wings and scarlet stripe, struts and undercarriage. There were two passenger seats, side by side in the back of the cabin and a bucket-type seat up front for the pilot. They were upholstered in high-grade grey leather which had a wonderful smell. The cabin was carpeted in the same colour. The Leopard had a generous luggage locker, an extraordinary luxury compared with the tiny locker of the Moth. There was also a cabin-heating system and air-chutes for ventilation. Her cruising speed was 120 miles per hour compared to the Moth's 80 miles per hour. I could see that the comfort of the Leopard was going to be heavenly." | |
| 11.35 | Major Murray-Jones of De Havillands endorsed Nancy Bird on her new Leopard Moth during circuits at Mascot |
| 11.35 | Nancy Bird departed Mascot for Bourke NSW where she had agreed to base her aircraft for a year to fly a nursing sister on clinic runs for the Far West Childrens Health Scheme. She had a small shed built to house the aircraft with its wings folded. A typical clinic run was Bourke to Louth, Urisino, Hungerford, Yambulla, Ford's Bridge, Bourke. Extreme heat, rough airstrips and primitive outback conditions. |
| 1.36 | Nancy Bird wrote to CAB advising that VH-UUG is now based at Bourke NSW. It is inspected each week by Captain A. W. Gregory of Butler Air Transport Co who passes through Bourke twice a week on the BAT DH.84 airmail route Cootamundra-Charleville. |
| Late 36 | Nancy Bird moved her base from Bourke to Charleville Qld hoping for more charter work |
| 20.11.36 | Test flown Mascot after CofA renewal overhaul by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, pilot Captain A. Murray Jones |
| 16.12.36 | Departed Archerfield as race No.41 in the 3 day Brisbane-Adelaide Air Race, entered and flown by Nancy Bird, who was the youngest pilot, aged 21 years. She carried fellow competitor Freda Thompson's luggage, which Freda could not fit in her DH.60 Moth Major VH-UUC. Nancy Bird completed the race at Parafield on 18.12.36, winning the Ladies Trophy. |
| 10.37 | Nancy Bird now bases VH-UUG at Cunnamulla Qld |
| 22.10.37 | Test flown Charleville after CofA renewal overhaul, pilot Nancy Bird |
| 1.3.38 | Charter flight Cunnamulla to Goodooga to collect a passenger for Sydney, pilot Bird |
| 38 | Nancy Bird ceased flying and put VH-UUG and her hangar at Cunnamulla up for sale |
| 4.8.38 | Change of ownership: Gordon W. Young, "Overshot" Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 4.8.38 | Test flown Mascot after CofA renewal overhaul, pilot J. A. Kerr |
| 21.7.39 | Test flown Archerfield after CofA renewal overhaul, pilot G.W. Young |
| 17.2.40 | Crashed on takeoff Cunnamulla Qld. Struck ground near ther town hospital at 4.25pm. Gordon Young had arrived at Cunnamulla on a flight from Sydney that day, then after lunch at the hotel returned to the airfield for a short local flight with a passenger. Both were killed. |
| 12.8.40 | Colin H. Young "Carragh" Station, Cunnamulla wrote to DCA to advise that the wreck had been sold: airframe to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield, and engine to John Meehan, Archerfield Qld. |
| Nancy Bird wrote: "..... my Leopard crashed killing the pilot Gordon Young and seriously injuring his cousin. It was never rebuilt although the engine later turned up at the Royal Aero Club of South Australia. I believe the aircraft mechanics were intrigued by the old fashioned crankshaft. When browsing through the log book they were amazed at the accounts pasted in by me, mostly from local garage mechanics. Though they did not have any aircraft engine experience, they did a wonderful job." |
Photo: State Library of SA
| 15.8.35 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UUL to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.85 to be imported |
| 9.35 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Hatfield |
| 12.9.35 | First flight Hatfield |
| 21.9.35 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 25.11.35 | First flight Mascot after assembly, pilot DHA Manager A. Murray Jones |
| 25.11.35 | CAB inspection report and weighing Mascot: owner quoted as A.K. Lawson, Naracoorte |
| 29.11.35 | Registered VH-UUL: A. Keith Lawson, "Padthaway" Station, Naracoorte SA |
| 29.11.35 | CofA issued |
| 2.3.37 | VH-UUL flown by A.K.Lawson at an airshow ay Naracoorte SA |
| 11.37 | CofA renewed at Essendon by Victorian & Interstate Airways, signed off by engineer J. Hart. Also 11.37 |
| 11.38 | CofA renewed at Parafield by MacRoberttson Miller Aviation, signed off by engineer Cyril Kleinig |
| 11.40 | CofA renewed at Parafield by MMA |
| 11.41 | CofA renewed at Essendon. Also 11.43, 11.44 |
| 11.45 | CofA renewed at Essendon by Victorian & Interstate Airways. Also 11.46 |
| 12.47 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 4.49 | minor repairs at Parafield by Robbys Aircraft Repair Co |
| 9.6.49 | CofA renewed at Parafield by Robbys Aircraft Repair Co. Also 8.8.50 and 3.10.51 |
| .57 | CofA expired, not renewed. Stored. Total flying time: 1,022 hours. |
| 26.6.60 | Change of ownership: Arthur A. Napper & Jack L. Langan, Sydney NSW |
| .60 | CofA renewed, based at Bankstown Airport, Sydney |
| 11.60 | Aircraft magazine: Flight test report by Keith Robey: photos show VH-UUL all silver, reported as being in "as new" condition. |
| 29.3.64 | Departed Brisbane-Archerfield as race #14 in R. M. Ansett Air Race, entered and flown by J. L. Langan, Sydney. Finished the race at Adelaide-Parafield 31.3.64 |
| 2.6.66 | Change of ownership: K. R. Hutchens, Melbourne Vic |
| 1.3.67 | Change of ownership: Cecil M. Long, Melbourne Vic |
| 10.3.68 | visited Morwell Vic fly-in |
| 10.4.68 | Change of ownership: Colonel L. Keith Hatfield, Berwick Vic Based in the original hangar at Lord Casey's private airfield at Berwick |
| 71 | Major restoration overhaul at Berwick |
| 30.1.72 | visited Jerilderie NSW fly-in from Berwick, then to Wagga. Pilot Neil Follett |
| 5.2.72 | noted at Berwick Vic |
| 29.10.72 | flew Berwick-Warrnambool Vic-Berwick, pilot Neil Follett |
| 31.12.72 | visited Maryborough Vic airshow from Berwick, pilot Neil Follett |
| 28.1.73 | visited Jerilderie NSW fly-in from Berwick, then to Albury NSW, pilot Neil Follett |
| 29.1.73 | flew Albury-Wodonga to visit Drage Historical Aircraft Museum, then to Albury, Berwick, pilot Neil Follett |
| 14.4.74 | visited Morwell Vic fly-in |
| 7.12.74 | visited Point Cook Vic fly-in |
| 22.2.75 | flew at Berwick airshow, dark green and siver paint scheme |
| 21.3.76 | flew at Berwick airshow, dark green and siver |
| 30.10.77 | visited Sunbury Vic fly-in, dark green and siver paint scheme |
| 20.11.77 | visited Point Cook Vic flyin |
| 30.12.77 | visited Morwell Vic flyin |
| 14.3.78 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 78-91 | Retired in hangar at Lord Casey's prewar airfield at Berwick, now named Casey Airfield |
| 10.91 | noted at Berwick Vic repainted for a movie to represent the Puss Moth which Jimmy Melrose flew in the 1934 England-Melbourne Air Race: all silver "VH-UQO My Hildergarde" |
| 12.10.91 | static display at RAAF Richmond NSW airshow, painted as "VH-UQO" |
| 7.5.92 | Restored to Register VH-UUL: L. Keith Hatfield, Melbourne Vic |
| 3.95 | visited Avalon Vic airshow, maroon and cream paint scheme |
| 11.9.95 | Casey Airfield, Berwick
was closed for land development. The final aircraft to depart was
VH-UUL which was ferried to RAAF Point Cook that day to take up
residence in vintage aircraft hangar. |
| 3.97 | visited Avalon Vic airshow, maroon and cream paint scheme |
| 2.6.06 | Change of ownership: Leslie Hatfield, Melbourne Vic. Based at Point Cook Vic |
| 9.10.15 | Change of ownership: William W. Finlen, Boonah Qld |
| Current |
Photo from a Lawson family album, courtesy Keith’s grandson Justin Good
Photo: Mac Job collection, courtesy Civil Aviation Historical Society
Photo by Mike Madden
Bill has restored this antique fire tender as his refuelling truck. Photos by Ian McDonell
| .36 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Hatfield |
| 1.7.36 | First flight Hatfield |
| 20.7.36 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 10.36 | Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd |
| 27.10.36 | Test flown Mascot after assembly |
| 28.10.36 | Registration application: Colin H. Young, Curragh Station, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 3.11.36 | Registered VH-UVF |
| 3.11.36 | CofA issued |
| Based on Curragh Station, Cunnamulla. Flown to Sydney for annual CofA renewals by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 3.11.39 | Inspection report at Mascot, good condition. Total time 414 hours |
| 5.10.42 | Badly damaged on landing, Wyandra Qld. |
| 9.4.43 | Ferried to Mascot for overhaul by De Havillands after temporary repairs completed |
| 22.4.43 | CofA renewed at Mascot |
| Flew
throughout the war years. Young wrote to DCA several times requesting
extensions to the CofA due to drought conditions at his property and
his inability to leave to fly UVF to Sydney for formal renewals. His requests were approved. | |
| 15.4.47 | CofA lapsed, not renewed |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from use |
| 3.3.50 | Restored to Register Colin H. Young, Cunnamulla Qld |
| 3.3.50 | Test flown at Bankstown after CofA renewal overhaul |
| 23.4.59 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from use |
| .75 | Sold by Colin Young in reasonably complete condition to unnamed persons who attemprted rebuilds |
| .76 | Purchased by Greg Challinor, Murwillumbah NSW t/a Mothcair |
| 27.4.76 | Arrived by road at Caboolture airfield Qld, where stored with his DH.85 VH-USK |
| Greg Challinor wrote in 1997: "VH-UVF had been complete and in almost flyable condition while owned by Colin Young, also of Cunnamulla up until the mid 1970s. When I acquired it was dismembered with parts lost or misplaced with successive moves and various rebuilders 'having a go' at it. Interestingly, Colin Young had bought this aircraft new in 1936 and owned it right through until 1975. Having tracked down most of the missing parts for UVF, I now find myself in possession of three Leopard Moths." | |
| 97 | under restoration at Murwillumbah NSW in Mothcair hangar |
| 18.1.01 | Restored to Register VH-UVF: Gregory P. Challinor, Murwillumbah NSW |
| 7.20 | Under restoration in the Challinor family's Mothcair hangar at Murwillumbah, wooden fuselage shell completed. |
| 21 |
Unconfirmed reports that VH-UVF was among vintage aircraft restoration projects which received water damage in the Mothcair hangar when the Murwillumbah airfield was submerged by flood waters. |
Leopard Moths VH-UUG No.41 and VH-UVF No.36 can be seen in this view of competitors in the 1936
Brisbane-Adelaide Air race, at Cootamundra 17 December 1936. Photo: Civil Aviation Historical Society
Brisbane-Adelaide Air race, at Cootamundra 17 December 1936. Photo: Civil Aviation Historical Society
Cunnamulla
Qld in 1939.
Photo: State Library of Queensland
| 33 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Stag Lane |
| 15.12.33 | First flight at Stag Lane |
| 12.33 | Registered G-ACKY. British Civil Register does not record the first owner |
| 11.1.34 | Delivered to owner ex De Havillands Stag Lane works |
| 26.7.35 | Change of ownership: George M. Tonge, Newmarket. Based Croydon Aerodrome, London |
| 12.37 | Struck-off British Register as sold abroad |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 2.38 | Assembled at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane by Higginson & Co |
| 15.2.38 | CAB inspection report after assembly at Archerfield. Still painted as G-ACKY. |
| 15.2.38 | Registration application: John Meehan, Brisbane Qld |
| 22.2.38 | Registered VH-ADV |
| 22.2.38 | Australian CofA issued |
| 3.38 | DCA memo: Mr. Meehan is undergoing instruction in another DH.85 |
| 4.38 | An amplifier was fitted to VH-ADV at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by Airflite Ltd. Meehan plans an aerial advertising campaign for Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) |
| 8.38 | Amplifier and equipment removed after being found unsuccessful |
| 3.10.38 | Damaged on takeoff South West Rocks NSW when wing struck bushes, pilot Meehan |
| 10.38 | Repaired by Airflite Pty Ltd, Mascot |
| 24.10.38 | Damaged again, quickly repaired |
| 21.11.38 | Change of ownership: Airflite Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney |
| 6.39 | Mr. L. S. Hill was struck by the propeller of VH-ADV when it flew off the hub during an inadvertant engine start. The propeller had not been bolted on to hub. Hill took legal action against Airflite. |
| 27.2.40 |
Change of ownership: R. B. Pearson, "Quantambone" Station, Brewarrina NSW Pearson traded his Klemm VH-UTA to Airflite on the Leopard Moth |
| 11.40 | John Meehan borrowed DH85 VH-ADV for a flight from Archerfield to Bundaberg Qld |
| Annual CofA renewals maintained throughout the war years | |
| 5.46 | Sold to Eric E. McIllree, McIllree Motors, Sydney. Immediately resold to Dan Collins |
| 16.5.46 | Change of ownership: Daniel F. Collins, Sydney NSW |
| 7.46 | CofA renewal overhaul at Mascot, has been sold by Collins to Keith Leahy |
| 2.8.46 | Register Change of ownership: Keith Leahy, "Oxley" Station, Warren NSW |
| 30.9.47 | CofA expired |
| 12.47 | Leahy advises DCA that he will not renew the CofA and wishes to sell the aircraft |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 13.7.48 | Registration application: Royal Aero Club of NSW, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney |
| 16.8.48 | Restored to Register VH-ADV: Royal Aero Club of NSW |
| 16.8.48 | CofA renewed at Mascot |
| 7.50 | Aero Club transferred its base from Mascot to Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney |
| 19.10.52 | Undercarriage damaged in groundloop on landing at Bankstown, pilot J. Epstein |
| 15.5.53 | CofA renewed at Bankstown |
| 30.8.53 | Badly damaged on landing, Bankstown |
| 16.6.55 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 2.11.56 | Restored to Register as VH-RSL: Royal Aero Club of NSW, Bankstown Airport, Sydney The Aero Club was changing its fleet into the VH-RS block, presumeably signifying Royal Sydney. |
| 24.4.58 | Change of ownership: G. W. Cannon & J. E. W. McCall, Hebel Qld |
| 1.5.58 | Reregistered VH-BAH |
| 29.10.60 | Change of ownership: D. W. Ruming, Brodies Plains via Inverell NSW |
| 29.7.71 | Change of ownership: George C. Sutherland, Gympie Qld |
| 5.1.72 | noted at Gympie Aerodrome Qld. Also 14.8.74, 11.6.75 |
| 7.1.73 | noted at Bundaberg Qld |
| 15.4.78 | VH-BAH and DH.87B VH-AFJ noted in hangar at "Sutherland Downs", 6 miles east of Gympie Qld, with other aircraft owned by George Sutherland |
| 23.2.80 | Passed in at auction at Gympie of George Sutherland's vintage aircraft collection |
| 4.81 | visited Maroochydore Qld airshow, pale yellow and silver |
| 22.6.81 | Change of ownership: Mrs Barbara J. McBain, Port McDonnell SA, later Nelson Vic Operated by her husband, vintage aircraft enthusiast Don McBain |
| 6.81 | Purchased by Don McBain from George Sutherland. Don ferried it from Gympie to Port McDonnell SA. Don said "I was surprised when the big buyers (Drage, Long etc) did not buy Sutherland's collection when it was advertised for sale. They said his prices were too high and that the aircraft not in excellent condition. I waited nearly a year, then rang George one night. His price for the Leopard was firm ($A22K), so I went up to Gympie with a LAME friend to inspect it. We did some work on the fabric upper surfaces of the wings then flew it home." |
| 2.4.83 | Visited Mangalore Vic airshow, pale yellow, silver with black trim |
| 3.6.83 | VH-BAH noted at Don McBain's airstrip "Stringbag International" at Mount Shank near Port McDonnell SA. Also there were Don's DH87B VH-UXY, DH82 VH-BPU, and 3 Austers owned by others. |
| 14.11.03 | noted at Nelson Vic in Don McBain’s hangar, maintained airworthy. Also in the hangar were his Hornet Moth VH-UXY and five Tiger Moths. |
| Operated by Don McBain's son Harvey McBain, based at Nelson Vic, alongside Harvey's Leopard Moth VH-UUE | |
| Current. |
Believed to be Essendon circa 1948. Civil Aviation Historical Society Allan Betteridge collection
Photo: John Hopton Collection
| .35 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Hatfield |
| 11.11.35 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UVD to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.85 to be imported. |
| 12.11.35 | Memo to CAN Head Office Melbourne from CAB Mascot office: “The question has been raised by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd as to the suitability of registration letters VH-UVD, and the effect such registration would have on the sale of the machine. As you know an aircraft is generally spoken of as AB, AC, KS as the case may be, and any one owning VH-UVD would have his machine referred to as VD. Actually there is nothing wrong with such lettering, but unfortunately the letters VD are generally recognised as a short title for a foul disease In view of the circumstances, I recommend that registration letters VH-UVD be allowed to remain unissued and another registration marking allotted.” |
| 29.11.35 | CAB Head Office changed the allocation to VH-UTJ. However an internal memo on the same day from aircraft inspector T. E .Johnson of the CAB Mascot office objected to the allocation of UTJ which the he understood was being held for his own use. |
| 23.12.35 | CAB Civil Registration Allocation ledger records
cancellation of VH-UVD. A further entry on 20.1.36 states "UVD will not
be utilised for aircraft markings" However it appears this was not passed on and the registration was in fact used! |
| 30.12.35 | First flight Hatfield painted as VH-UVD |
| 1.1.36 British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney | |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd | |
| 16.6.36 | Test flown Mascot after assembly. Forced landing on Randwick Racecourse, Sydney during the test flight, no damage |
| 19.6.36 | Registered VH-UVD: Axel S. Von Goes, Sydney NSW |
| 19.6.36 | Australian CofA issued |
| 11.36 | Von Goes wrote to CAB requesting the registration be changed because of embarrassment caused by the current marking. CAB agrees and allocates VH-AAG which is well ahead of allocation sequence but includes his initials |
| 13.11.36 | Reregistered VH-AAG Axel S. Von Goes, Sydney NSW |
| 16.12.36 | Departed Archerfield in the 3 day Brisbane-Adelaide Air
Race, entered and flown by J. Robins, race number 38. Aircraft had been entered as
VH-UVD and was still painted as such for the race. Mr. Robins completed the course but was not a prize winner. |
| 24.1.37 | Damaged in forced landing at Bong Bong NSW, while en route to Bermagui |
| 18.6.37 | Change of ownership: R. T. Perry, Narromine NSW |
| 18.6.39 | Change of ownership: Air Taxis Pty Ltd, Rockhampton Qld |
| 5.41 | CofA has expired, Air Taxis advise DCA they will not be renewing CofA |
| 8.41 | Air Taxis request approval from DCA under wartime civil aviation restrictions
to sell VH-AAG to Kuala Lumpur Flying Club, Malaya.
After overhaul by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd in Sydney, the aircraft
will be shipped to Malaya. DCA approve sale. |
| 8.41 | International Cable to DCA from Federated Malay States Government urging the Department to expedite the sale
of VH-AAG to Malaya. DCA enquiries reveal the aircraft has not yet reached De Havilland Aircraft at Sydney for overhaul. |
| 3.9.41 | Ferried Archerfield-Mascot. Overhaul commenced immediately by De Havillands |
| 3.9.41 | Struck-off Australian Register as sold abroad |
| 24.10.41 | DCA memo: VH-AAG due to be moved to Sydney wharves for shipment to Malaya |
| 10.41 | Shipped ex Sydney |
| 12.41 | Arrived at Kuala Lumpur first week of December and quickly unpacked and assembled. Its civil paint scheme was painted over with camouflage. |
| 41 | Allotted VR-RAX. Not formally registered due Japanese invasion of Malaya |
| 12.41 | Entered service with "C" Flight, Malayan Volunteer Air Force |
| 20.1.42 | Burnt out by Japanese air attack on Kallang Aerodrome, Singapore. Also wrecked in this air attack were MVAF Avro Cadet, DH.87 Hornet Moth and DH.90 Dragonfly |
| .36 | Built by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Hatfield |
| 23.12.35 | Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UVF to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.85 to be imported. |
| 14.1.36 | CAB memo: Leopard Moth aircraft VH-UVF on order for Mr. H. F. Broadbent is to be changed to VH-AHB to include his initials. These markings have been allocated as a special case. |
| 1.2.36 | First flight at Hatfield |
| 3.2.36 | British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| Shipped to Australia | |
| 3.36 | Assembled at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd |
| 27.3.36 | Test flown Mascot after assembly |
| 31.3.36 | Registered VH-AHB: Harry F. "Jim" Broadbent c/- Butler Air Transport Co, Cootamundra NSW |
| 31.3.36 | Australian CofA issued |
| Painted on the engine cowlings: "H.F. Jim Broadbent, Cootamundra NSW" | |
| Broadbent
had been flying DH.84 Dragons for Butler Air Transport on the
Cootamundra-Charleville sector of the Empire Air Mail scheme. On 12th
March 1936 he was appointed Chief Pilot for BAT, but airline founder
Arthur Butler would later write "Broadbent was more interested in record-breaking than the monotony of airline flying" | |
| 3.37 | Auxilliary fuel tanks and oil tank installed at Mascot by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd during CofA renewal overhaul |
| 11.4.37 | Testflown at Mascot by H. F. Broadbent after overhaul and mods |
| 27.4.37 | Broadbent departed Darwin solo at 6.45am for England in VH-AHB named Windella fitted long range fuel tanks, reached Lympne 3.5.37 at 5.41pm. Broke record with time of 6 days 8 hrs 25 mins |
| 22.10.37 | Broadbent departed Lympne, England at 5am for record flight to Australia in VH-AHB. Delayed at Rome for 12 hrs due weather, |
| 24.10.37 | Damaged in force landing 60 miles from Baghdad. Broadbent abandoned the flight. |
| 14.4.38 | CAB received advice that VH-AHB was now in England. CAB wrote to Broadbent asking for his intentions. |
| 20.5.38 | Letter to CAB from Broadbent c/- Bank of NSW, London: he had that day transferred ownership of VH-AHB to Messrs Malcolm & Farquharson Ltd, Hounslow, Middlesex |
| 20.5.38 | Struck-off Australian Register as sold to Britain |
| 26.7.38 | Registered G-AFDV: Samuel Harris c/- Cinema Press Ltd, Redhill Aerodrome, London Sale negotiated through aircraft broker W. S. Shackleton Ltd, Picadilly, London |
| 14.7.39 | Change of ownership: Yorkshire Aeroplane Club Ltd, Leeds-Bradford Aerodrome, Yeadon, Yorks |
| 20.2.40 | Impressed by Air Ministry as W5783 |
| 20.2.40 | Struck-off British Register |
| Issued to No.110 (AAC) Wing, Ringway | |
| Later issued to No.6 AACU, Ringway | |
| 19.4.41 | Crashed on landing, destroyed by fire, Manchester-Ringway Airport. Struck a brazier on landing in poor weather. |
Photo: Ben Dannecker collection
record-breaking flight to England in 6 days 8 hours. Geoff Goodall collection
Courtesy Graeme Parsons
Long distance fliers Ken Waller and Bernard Rubin left Lypne on 22.3.34 for Australia in DH.85 G-ACLX (c/n 7036) for a survey of the MacRobertson Air Race route, in which they would enter in a DH.88 Comet.
On the outbound flight they were delayed at Basra by permit delays, and reached Darwin 7.4.34. They departed Darwin 22.4.34 for the return flight to England, breaking the Australia-England record with a time of 8 days 12 hours.
The DH.85 was owned by a partnership of Mr Rubin and fellow London-based Australian David Dear.
- Australian Civil Aircraft Register, Department of Civil Aviation and its successors
- British Civil Register: G-INFO database website
- DCA aircraft files, National Archives of Australia, Melbourne
- DCA Annual Survey of Aircraft Accidents, 1956-1970
- National Library of Australia - Trove newspaper archive website
- British Civil Aircraft Since 1919, A. J. Jackson, Putnam, London 1973
- De Havilland Aircraft Since 1909, A. J. Jackson, Putnam, London 1978
- Aviation Historical Society of Australia Journal, monthly, 1960-1970
- Australian Air Log, monthly journal, 1965-1968
- Air Britain journals, particularly Air Britain Archive quarterly: references to Australian DH85s
- Flypast A Record of Aviation in Australia, Neville Parnell & Trevor Boughton, CAA, 1988
- Allotment of Civil Registration markings, CAB & DCA file, National Archives of Australia,
Series A705 No.8/103/996 transcribed by Dion Makoswski, published in Man and Aerial Machines, quarterly, April 1990
- Classic Wings Downunder magazine, renamed Classic Wings, editor Graham M. Orphan:
references to Australian DH.85 restoration projects over various issues 1995 to date
- Flight Path magazine, editor Rob Fox, various references to restoration projects
- British CofA allocations series, Air Britain Archive: quarterly journal
- The Whole Truth: The De Havilland Leopard Moth, Air Britain Archive quarterly journal, 2008-2009
- Leopard Moth, Greg Challinor, Classic Wings Down Under magazine Issue 14, July-Sept 1997
- 1936 Brisbane-Adelaide Air Race, Aviation Historical Society of Australia Journal March 1964
- Historic Civil Aircraft Register G-AUAA to VH-UZZ, Bert Cookson, Austairdata 1996
- Rag & Tube, monthly journal of Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, 1977 onwards
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