We Braille Scale modellers have been waiting a long time for someone to come up with a replacement for the old Airfix 1/72 scale Tiger Moth. This effort, by Pavla of the Czech Republic, although not the standard variant, is a very welcome addition to their range, especially as the standard Tiger Moth is to follow.

The D.H. 82C was the full canopied model built and used by the Canadians and in fact the three examples depicted in the instructions are all based in Canada. One of the three is on skis and these are supplied as extra parts on the sprue.

The main fault with the Airfix model was that the fuselage was too slim. Pavla has addressed this problem and there is a small amount of interior detail although whether this will be able to be seen with the full canopy and small openings, I will have to wait and see. As I mentioned in the summary, the undercarriage struts and wing struts, particularly the fuselage to wing struts, look kind of fiddly and I think they would have been better off with fewer parts.

Resin parts, instrument panels, wheels, main skis, nav lights, nose piece and centre section fuel tank, are all very nicely moulded and detailed as is usual from Pavla.

The decals, although other wise beautifully printed and detailed, have the colour blue badly out of register on my sample. This may be just one that got by the quality control and I hope that is the case as for this model I will have to find national markings somewhere else.

With two canopies supplied, I would be inclined to have a go at opening one and if that failed I could always fall back on the other.

I have got to say, I love the Eastern European model companies because they are willing to have a go at subject that the Big Boys would not dare. I know I've said this before, but I think it's important to remind them that we appreciate it.

Thanks to Pavla for having the guts to produce this kind of model and thanks to Squadron for the review sample.

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Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample.