DH.80 Puss Moth (oz2893)

About this Plan

DH.80 Puss Moth. Free flight scale model. Scale is 1/8. Model is 52in span, for 1.5cc motors.

Quote: "One eighth scale model of a famous early light plane with the flight characteristics of the full-size. DeHavilland DH 80 by FG Longbon.

Not very often do we get so enthusiastic over a scale design as with this fine flier - for here is a subject that performs as well as it appears.

WHEN in 1928 the private flying movement began to demand the comfort of a cabin after training on the famous Gipsy Moth, De Havillands created the D.H. 80A Puss Moth. It was new in many ways although a derivation of the larger Hawk Moth. The Gipsy engine was inverted and by September, 1929 (long time ago, eh!), the first Moth Mk 3 was ready. The design was extremely clean and performance exceeded expectation though production was delayed until a metal tube fuselage was developed to meet demands outside GB.

Orders accumulated from all quarters of the world but a series of wing failures in Australia, South Africa, Canada and in Europe called for an NPL and RAE investigation. Famous pilots Glen Kidston and Bert Hinkler of distance flight fame were among those to lose their lives. It was proved that in turbulent conditions at high speed, flutter could cause a wing breakage. Balance changes in the controls, larger rudder and rearranged strut bracing eliminated the risk; but for all time the DH 80 was condemned in places like South Africa.

Record Breaker. Puss Moths created incredible records in long flights and among the most famous was G-AAZV 'Jason II' used by Amy Johnson for a flight to Tokyo via Moscow, G-ABXY 'The Hearts Content' flown by Jim Mollison for the first solo East-West crossing, and Amy's G-ACAB 'Desert Cloud' used by her for out and back records from London to the Cape of Good Hope.

The Puss Moth survives in Australia, Great Britain and Canada but the subject of our design met an untimely end on the middle of our old airfield location at Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire. Owner Joan Nayler (to become Mrs DA Russell) was lucky to escape as the aircraft caught fire on landing. 'Widget' was a pretty machine that gave pleasure to many joy-trippers, our earlier staff included, and we're pleased to say that Fred Longbon's fine replica with scale structure looks every part like the real thing.

Construction of this fine model has been devised to satisfy both the scale buff who likes to attend to the last detail, and the more casual enthusiast who cares more for flying than building.

Design details. Complete building sequence instructions are issued with each copy of the full size plan, so we can describe the salient points here for the interest of scale model builders in general.

First, the scale is one-eighth, a popular size to suit popular engines in the 1.5 cc class with moderate power driving a 9 in diameter prop, revving at about 8-9,000 rpm - the aim for realism and safe flight.

Next, the structure is all 'Knock-off'. Wings are on short locating dowels, retained by elastic bands through cross tubes and the tail surfaces similarly detachable. We've seen the original in action at many '64 and '65 rallies and the only damage has been an occasional tissue tear. Note the side view of the fuselage and how a 3/16 in sheet balsa panel extends from nose to wing trailing edge, the rest of the fuselage having liberal diagonal bracing. The tailplane is solid sheet balsa, shaped from 3/8 in thickness to a symmetrical streamline section. One can afford the slight extra weight to allow for balance. Cabin windows have a neat system of assembly with acetate sandwiched between a balsa and a ply frame, adding both strength and scale effect while the undercarriage is made to give telescopic 'oleo' leg action for shock absorption.

Scale surfaces. In the wings, close rib spacing is realistic and strong while a sheet trailing edge and stout leading edge withstand hard knocks (as we have witnessed). For additional effect, the surface lines for the wing fold flap, and ailerons are engraved into prepared inserts.

Here's a scale subject that looks and flies as it should and we expect to see many like it at the 1966 scale model meetings.

The completely detailed stage by stage instructions leaflet is included with each plan. This model should be within the capability of anyone who has already built a simple power model."

Note colour photo of completed Puss Moth [main pic] shows model by David Carpenter as featured on the cover of Aeromodeller Oct 1980, see full magazine scan by ilgk48 on HPA at: https://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans/details.php?image_id=13169.

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