The deHavilland DH-86 was designed to carry air mails within the British Empire in the 1930s. Sixteen came to Australia where it was the first four engined airliner flown by the country’s major airlines.

The deHavilland DH-86 was designed carry air mails within the British Empire, in particular on the air route between Singapore and Australia.

Qantas Empire Airways ordered this airliner in September 1933 and it was quickly designed and built with the prototype making its first flight on 14 January 1934.

Due to its hasty design there was a weakness in the tail structure and there were several fatal crashes early in its career. However 62 were built.

Sixteen came to Australia and flew with Qantas Empire Airways, Holyman’s Airways, MacRobertson Miller Aviation Services and WR Carpenter.

This model represents VH-USC flying for Qantas Empire Airways on the Singapore-Brisbane route between 1935 and 1938.

Arctic Decals 1/144 kit with VH-WAL decals. Completed in December 2020.