Pavla 1/72 DH.82C Tiger Moth Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

de Havilland developed one of the most versatile and remembered training aircraft in the early 1930s, the DH.82A Tiger Moth. This aircraft, in turn, was an evolutionary development of their earlier Moth and Gypsy Moth trainers. Unlike most other aircraft developed in the early 1930s, the Tiger Moth soldiered through WWII, turning out new pilots from around the world. Production of the aircraft even continued for a time in Canada, which started ramping up its own pilot training program.

The DH.82C was the designation for the de Havilland Canada-built aircraft, and the C stood for COLD! Since the weather in Canada tends to be a bit more brisk than over in the UK, de Havilland Canada developed an cockpit enclosure to protect the crew from the elements, and the main wheels could be exchanged for skis to facilitate snow-pack operations.

The kit is molded in gray styrene and the majority of the kit is done with styrene parts. Some of the details are cast in resin, and these include the front of the the cowling, the overwing fuel tank, the main wheels and the optional skis. The kit does not provide the rear fuselage strakes that were added to many of the Tiger Moths to aid in spin recovery, but these are easily fabricated if the aircraft you're modeling was so equipped. Check your references.

Markings are included for three aircraft:

• DH.82C, 1120, 31 EFTS, De Winton, Canada
• DH.82C, 26, Sharkmouth
• DH.82C, 5005

Pavla continues to turn out some interesting kits of unique aircraft and the Tiger Moth is definitely a welcome example! You can find this kit at your local hobby retailer or directly from Squadron Mail Order (www.squadron.com).

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!