Single engine two seat observation and liaison aircraft

 

 

   At the start of World War II the Belgian Colonial Authorities in Belgian Congo acquired a single De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth, which was to be used by the Openbare Weermacht/Force Publique. During the East African campaign at the Sudanese/Egyptian border the aircraft was based at Watsa (North-Eastern Congo) together with two requisitioned aircraft: Caudron Pelican OO-ATF "Bolikoko" of Dr. De Beve and De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth OO-AMN of Pierre Micha. Those three aircraft were used for communications flights in and around Sudan. During this war period, the aircraft was camouflaged and wore the registration C1. After the war the Leopard Moth of the Force Publique was given an overall silver paint scheme and the new registration L51. In 1954 the aircraft was sold on the civilian market and re-entered the Congolese civil aircraft register as OO-CAF.

   In August 1939 the Belgian Government also requisitioned three De Havilland DH.86 Leopard Moth's OO-APS, OO-GEJ and OO-JFC which served with the "Estafette Escadrille" untill May/June 1940.