It was a successor to the DH.80 Puss Moth and replaced it on the company's Stag Lane and later Hatfield production lines.

It was similar in configuration to the earlier aircraft, but instead of a fuselage with tubular steel framework, a lighter all-plywood structure was used which allowed a substantial improvement in range, performance and capacity on the same type of engine.

The pilot is seated centrally in front of two side-by-side passengers and the wings can be folded for hangarage.

The prototype first flew on 27 May 1933 and in July won the King's Cup Race at an average speed of 139.5 mph (224.5 km/h), piloted by Geoffrey de Havilland.

44 Leopard Moths were impressed into military service in Britain and others in Australia during World War II, mostly as communications aircraft.