Hi All,
My next project is to try and make a model of the Dh.60 Moth used by Amy Johnson on her epic flight from England to Australia in 1930.
The kit I am using is the Amodel kit in 1/48th, which is a short run injection mould. As such some details are a little bit soft on detail, missing, or incorrectly labelled on the instructions. Overall though it doesn't appear to be too bad. I remember Bill tackled one in 2017 and made a good job of it, so I will be gleaning any tips from that build. For me I hope to portray 'Jason' as it was on the flight with the front cockpit faired over, a spare prop lashed to the port fuselage side, and I think there was a spare wheel under the centre section between the undercarriage legs, but I need to do a bit more research on that point.
The instructions are a bit vague in places and do not show exactly which optional parts relate to Amy's Moth, so again a bit of research and cross referencing needed.
The decal look okay but I will test out a few unwanted items on a spare part before committing them to the finished item.
Strangely enough the instructions show both 1/72 and 1/48th references kit wise.......?
Some picture of the kit before I start:-
Just checked Kev and as I thought AModel released this in 1/72nd as well hence the odd instructions.
Yes, your right Chris. I did see that they did it in 1/72.
The moulding for the 1/72 is similar but not quite the same.
I did build one of these a few years ago, the odd problem with fit if I remember correctly.
I will bring this to the next meeting for you.
If you look under "Biplanes and Rigged aircraft" you will see mine - shelf of shame material!!!!
This should be a good build Kevin.
Quote from: zak on August 16, 2026, 01:13:19 PMI did build one of these a few years ago, the odd problem with fit if I remember correctly.
I will bring this to the next meeting for you.
If you look under "Biplanes and Rigged aircraft" you will see mine - shelf of shame material!!!!
Hi Zak,
I'd forgot about your build. I'll definately have a look, and if you would be kind enough to bring your model along to the next meeting I'd love to see it and hear of your problems with the kit and best way to tackle them.
Is the picture of Amy Johnson, something you'd recommend to check out.
Kevin
Quote from: Bigkev on August 17, 2026, 03:43:09 PMQuote from: zak on August 16, 2026, 01:13:19 PMI did build one of these a few years ago, the odd problem with fit if I remember correctly.
I will bring this to the next meeting for you.
If you look under "Biplanes and Rigged aircraft" you will see mine - shelf of shame material!!!!
Hi Zak,
I'd forgot about your build. I'll definately have a look, and if you would be kind enough to bring your model along to the next meeting I'd love to see it and hear of your problems with the kit and best way to tackle them.
Is the picture of Amy Johnson, something you'd recommend to check out.
Kevin
Already sold it, sorry!!!!
No worries. Had a look at 'Biplanes and rigged Aircraft' and viewed it there. Looks okay to me, but I think I'll find it a bit of a challenge too.
Cheers.
Look forward to this one.
Hi All,
Not forgotten this one. Been doing a bit of research as to the modifications to Amy's moth, and her story of the epic journey from England to Australia.
Although somewhere in my mind, I am sure I've seen some reference to a spare wheel carried beneath the fuselage in between the undercarriage legs. However after trawling through numerous photo's, other model builds on internet, I cannot find anything that confirms that it was carried. So, I'll build it without, just the spare propellor lashed to the port side, and the front cockpit faired over, containing an extra fuel tank for the journey.
Looking at Zak's build, I can see he followed the kit instructions and painted the wings and tailplanes white, whereas they were actually silver doped fabric.
As soon as my Me262 build elsewhere on the website is complete I'll start in earnest.
Thanks.
It's interesting how we start researching for builds and at times disappear down a rabbit hole. But the end result is always worth it, as no doubt this will be.
Yes, it certainly is.
Anyway Me262W-1 'Seelowe' now done. So I'll be cutting plastic on this one now.
Hi All,
Well I've now started on Amy's moth.
The AModel kit is a short run type injection, so it's mouldings are a bit soft in places, and the attaching stubs from the sprues a little thick and awkward, so little preparation work to do first.
I started on the upper wing. Each is a single moulding for port and starboard with a four piece fuel tank in between. I chose the ribbed fuel tank with the provision of a 'gauge' moulded into the upper section. The fuel tank held about 9 gallons and needed to hand pumped to refill in flight, so I reasoned the gauge would be there as a visual guide to the contents of the tank for Amy. I have also seen another build where the same fuel tank has been used by another modeller section.
Each wing has representations of three actuators for slats on the upper wing surface. Amy's moth did not appear to have these, so they were carefully cut away from the undersurface of each wing and the carefully sanded to match the rest of the wing surface.
The engine housing has been tidied up and the inlet for the cooling of the cylinders reshaped and made finer in appearance. A hole will also need to be drilled just above the propellor boss, again I presume another inlet.
The propellor has been tidied up, and the blades made sharper and better in profile. Also I have marked on a piece of Balsa the propellor shape, so I can cut and carve another spare prop to add to the fuselage.
Some Pictures of the kit parts worked on and next to tidy up.
Thanks for looking:-
Nice prep work looking forward to seeing the build.
This will keep you busy Kevin.
I'm watching this with interest Kev as I've a couple to build with interesting New Zealand history. Cadbury Fry Hudson had a DH 60M [metal moth] for a few months in the summer of 1930 for executive travel and PR. It was painted overall 'chocolate brown' and called 'The Chocolate Plane'.
Very interesting Francis, something you could get your teeth into.....
Will you be building one?