VH-ADV  (1)  de Havilland D.H.85 Leopard Moth         (c/n  7016)

                           

                               The D.H.85 was the successor to the Puss Moth , but was cheaper to purchase and somewhat
                               lighter.  The view above shows it when new in 1938, with spats.  Immediately below is a photo-
                               graph from the Graeme Parsons collection showing it at Camden, circa 1948.  Finally, from my
                               own collection is the shot of it at the bottom of the page at Essendon in the late 1940s. All new
                               Leopard Moths were delivered with spats, but when using them from wet fields, mud tended to
                               accumulate underneath and hence most owners dispensed with them.    Formerly G-ACKY this
                               aircraft was purchased by the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales.    It had various periods
                               wherein it was withdrawn from active use, but was restored in 1955 and registered in the club's
                               sequence as VH-RSL.