List of de Havilland aircraft explained

This is a list of aircraft produced or proposed by Geoffrey de Havilland or designed at the de Havilland Aircraft Company from its founding in 1920 until its purchase by (and integration into) the Hawker Siddeley Group in 1959.

The aircraft are ordered by de Havilland model number; the numbers started with de Havilland's employment at the Airco company as chief designer. Although Airco built the planes, their design was owned by de Havilland and when de Havilland started his own company, he continued the numbering. The numbering sequence continued for later designs of de Havilland's aircraft company, even if they were designed by a factory team with little input from de Havilland himself. The DH.89, for example, was the 89th de Havilland design.

The designs DH.121 and DH.125 which were under development when de Havilland lost its separate identity under Hawker Siddeley, retained their numbering and were produced as the Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident and the Hawker Siddeley HS.125.

The list does not include aircraft designed by de Havilland Canada or de Havilland Australia, founded as de Havilland subsidiaries.

Designs prior to company foundation

These are designs by Geoffrey de Havilland while working for himself or for other manufacturers.

Design
number
AircraftFirst flightRemarks
Biplane No. 1December 1909Single-seat biplane
Biplane No. 225 September 1910Single-seat pusher configuration biplane – became the F.E.1 when de Havilland joined the staff at the Royal Aircraft Factory
DH.1Airco DH.1January 1915Two-seat fighter/general purpose biplane
DH.2Airco DH.21 June 1915Single-seat pusher biplane fighter
DH.3Airco DH.3Twin-engine long-range day bomber
DH.4Airco DH.4August 1916Two-seat biplane day bomber
DH.5Airco DH.5October 1916Single-seat biplane fighter
DH.6Airco DH.61916Biplane trainer
DH.7Not builtSingle-seat tractor fighter project with a Rolls-Royce Falcon engine, not built due to non-availability of engine[1]
DH.8Not builtPusher fighter projected to be fitted with a Coventry Ordnance Works gun, not built due to delays in gun development and non-availability of specified engine
DH.9Airco DH.9July 1917Two-seat day bomber biplane
DH.10Airco DH.10 Amiens4 March 1918Twin-engine heavy bomber biplane developed from the DH.3
DH.11Airco DH.11 Oxford1919Twin-engined day bomber
DH.12DH.12Not builtImproved DH.11 powered by Dragonfly engines and modified gunner's position – unbuilt
DH.13Not used, probably due to superstition
DH.14(Airco) Okapi1919Two-seat day bomber to replace DH.4 and DH.9
DH.15Airco Gazelle1919Experimental aircraft similar to DH.9
DH.16Airco DH.161919Redesigned DH.9 with four-seat enclosed cockpit for use as a commercial biplane
DH.17Not built16 seat biplane airliner powered by two Rolls-Royce Condor engines, featuring an enclosed cabin and semi-retractable landing gear. Not built for a lack of orders due to post-WWI slump.
DH.18(Airco) DH.1819208 seat, single-engine commercial aircraft
DH.19Not builtRolls-Royce Falcon powered two-seat cabin biplane
DH.20Not builtABC Wasp powered single-seat sports biplane
DH.21Not builtLarge civil transport design study with two engines driving one propeller

de Havilland Aircraft Company designs

Design
number
AircraftFirst flightRemarks
DH.22Not builtSingle-engine pusher biplane with conventional rear fuselage instead of outriggers and engine mounted on upper mainplane
DH.23Not builtSingle-engine, four-seat biplane flying boat powered by a Napier Lion engine. Although registered G-EARN on 9 March 1920, the aircraft was not built.
DH.24Not builtLarger variant of the DH.18 with a Napier Lion engine. Design not proceeded with.
DH.25Not builtLarge 10-seat civil transport powered by three Liberty engines driving a single propeller.
DH.26Not builtSingle-engine transport monoplane. Design dropped in favor of the larger DH.29.
DH.27Derby13 October 1922Heavy biplane day bomber for Specification 2/20
DH.28Not builtSingle-engine troop transport biplane for Air Ministry Type 12 Specification with two crew in open cockpits. A similar layout was used on the later DH.54.
DH.29Doncaster5 July 1921Long-range research monoplane for the Air Ministry
DH.30DenbighNot builtHigh-wing reconnaissance variant of the DH.29 to Air Ministry D of R Type 3 requirement of 1922.
DH.31Not builtSingle-engine reconnaissance biplane.
DH.32Not builtEight-passenger biplane airliner powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle engine to Air Ministry Specification 18/21 as an improvement of the DH.18. Construction was to begin in 1922 but due to operators requests the Napier Lion-powered DH.34 was developed instead.
DH.33Not builtSingle-seat shipborne fighter.
DH.34de Havilland DH.3426 March 1922Biplane airliner, based on DH.32
DH.35Not builtTwo-seat reconnaissance biplane to have been powered by a Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engine for Air Ministry Specification D of R Type 3A.
DH.36Not builtThree-seat, single-engine coastal defense torpedo bomber biplane to Air Ministry Specification D of R Type I. Similar to the DH.27.
DH.37de Havilland DH.37June 1922Touring biplane. Designed to special order.
DH.38Not builtTwo-seat general-purpose biplane powered by a single Napier Lion V engine for the Greek government, but no orders resulted.
DH.39Not builtProposed alternative version of DH.38 powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine.
DH.40Not builtProposed two-seat forestry patrol version of DH.39 for the Canadian Air Board.
DH.41Not builtProposed two-seat reconnaissance version of DH.38 to Air Ministry Specification D of R Type 3. Powered by a Napier Lion engine.
DH.42Dormouse25 July 1923Reconnaissance fighter for Specification 22/22
DH.42ADingo I12 March 1924Bristol Jupiter III engine: slight (6 in/152 mm) increase in span
DH.42BDingo II29 September 1926Bristol Jupiter IV: same dimensions as DH.42A but with steel frame and greater weight
DH.43Not builtLarge biplane freighter powered by a Liberty 12 engine. Large cargo door on port side of fuselage.
DH.44Not builtBiplane airliner with a Siddeley Puma engine.
DH.45Not builtThree-seat torpedo bomber/coastal defense biplane with two Napier Lion engines. Based on DH.11.
DH.46Not builtSingle-seat lightweight sports monoplane. Later DH.53 was similar.
DH.47Not builtSingle-seat glider. Later DH.52 was similar.
DH.48Not builtSingle-seat forestry patrol biplane for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Similar to and based on the DH.9A, but powered by a Wolseley Viper engine and equipped with W/T.
DH.49Not builtModernized DH.9A, powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle IX engine. Featured similar improvements to the DH.9J Stag. Offered for reconnaissance, light bombing and general purpose roles, but not accepted by the Air Ministry.
DH.50de Havilland DH.5030 July 1923Four-passenger transport biplane
DH.51de Havilland DH.511 July 1924Three-seat biplane, private venture
DH.52de Havilland DH.525 October 1922Single-seat glider
DH.53Humming Bird2 October 1923Single-seat monoplane
DH.54Highclere18 June 192412-passenger biplane airliner
DH.55Not builtSeven-passenger biplane airliner based on the DH.54 and powered by three Airdisco engines.
DH.56Hyena17 May 1925Army biplane developed to Specification 33/26
DH.57Not built12 passenger biplane airliner based on the DH.54 and powered by three Siddeley Puma engines.
DH.58Not builtScaled-up version of DH.57 for 20 passengers and powered by three Napier Lion engines.
DH.59Not builtDesign study for a transport biplane.
DH.60Moth22 February 1925Two-seat light biplane
DH.60GGipsy Moth1927DH.60 Moth powered by de Havilland Gipsy engine
DH.60GIIIMoth Major1929DH.60 Moth powered by new Gipsy III/Gipsy Major engine
DH.61Giant MothDecember 1927Eight-passenger biplane airliner
DH.62Not builtEight-passenger biplane airliner with two Siddeley Puma engines. Crew of two in open cockpit in the nose.
DH.63Not builtScaled-down four-passenger version of DH.61 with a Siddeley Puma engine.
DH.64Not builtEnlarged version of DH.62 for 14 passengers with two Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engines.
DH.65Hound17 November 1926Day bomber biplane
DH.66Hercules30 September 19263-engined biplane airliner, 14 passengers
DH.67Gloster Survey1929Twin-engined photo survey biplane built by Gloster.
DH.68Not builtExecutive version of DH.67 for six passengers and powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engines. Cabin featured a toilet.
DH.69Not builtHigh performance two-seat day bomber to an Air Ministry specification. Similar to the DH.65A but powered by a Rolls-Royce Falcon engine. Pilot in an open cockpit while the observer was in a prone bombing position on the fuselage floor.
DH.70Not builtArmy co-operation biplane for Australia.
DH.71Tiger MothJuly 1927High-speed monoplane, private venture
DH.72de Havilland DH.7228 July 19313-engined night bomber based on DH.66 and designed to Specification B.22/27
DH.73Not builtHigh-altitude survey version of the DH.67 with two ADC Nimbus engines. Cockpit was offered in several layouts in tandem or side-by side configurations; aircraft could also be adapted as a seaplane.
DH.74Not builtLight commercial four-seat transport based on the DH.65 and intended as DH.50 replacement.
DH.75Hawk Moth7 December 1928Six-seat cabin monoplane
DH.76Not built20-passenger airliner with three Bristol Jupiter engines. Intended as DH.66 replacement.
DH.77de Havilland DH.7711 July 1929Single-seat interceptor. Private venture designed to Specification F.20/27
DH.78Not builtTwo alternative designs for multi-engine airliners.
DH.79Not builtDesign study for a multi-engined transport.
DH.80Puss Moth9 September 1929Three-seat touring monoplane, high-wing
DH.81Swallow Moth21 August 1931Two-seat sporting monoplane
DH.82Tiger Moth26 October 1931Two-seat primary trainer
DH.83Fox Moth29 January 1932Small passenger biplane
DH.84Dragon24 November 1932Large biplane airliner
DH.85Leopard Moth27 May 1933Three-seat cabin monoplane
DH.86Express14 January 1934Four-engine airliner based on DH.84 Dragon
DH.87Hornet Moth9 May 1934Light biplane
DH.88Comet8 September 1934Twin-engine racing monoplane
DH.89Dragon Rapide17 April 1934Twin-engine airliner
DH.90Dragonfly12 August 1935Twin-engine biplane, five seats
DH.91Albatross20 May 1937Four-engine airliner, 22 passengers
DH.92Dolphin9 September 1936Twin-engine airliner, designed to replace DH.89 Dragon Rapide
DH.93Don18 June 1937Liaison aircraft
DH.94Moth Minor22 June 1937Primary trainer, designed to replace Moth
DH.95Flamingo22 December 1938Twin-engine transport
DH.96Not builtPrimary monoplane trainer to Specification T.1/37, powered by a Gipsy Queen I engine. Two crew in open tandem cockpits, front windshield frame was strong enough to protect crew in case of a nose-over on landing. Fixed landing gear with streamlined fairings.
DH.97Not built8-seat, three-engine monoplane airliner; construction was similar to the DH.91. Not proceeded with due to outbreak of WWII.
DH.98Mosquito25 November 1940Twin-engine fighter and bomber
DH.99Not builtOriginal all-metal proposal for a twin-boom jet fighter which, in composite wood-and-metal form, became the DH.100.[2]

Design study for a Napier Sabre-powered twin-engine fast bomber derivative, developed into DH.101 concept. Number later allocated to a light single-engine civil biplane intended as DH.87 replacement. This was abandoned due to WWII.

DH.100Vampire, (known as Spider Crab until April 1944).Twin-boom jet fighter
DH.101Not builtHigh speed, high-altitude unarmed night intruder with Napier Sabre engines to Specification B.11/41 and based on the Mosquito. Despite priority over the Vampire jet fighter, a shortage of Sabre engines resulted in the DH.101's abandonment in April 1942 in favor of the lower-powered DH.102.
DH.102Not builtNight bomber to Specification B.4/42, with two Rolls-Royce Merlin or Griffon engines. Designed to carry a 5000 lb bomb load at lower speed than the Mosquito. Officially approved in April 1942 as the Mosquito Series II, but work was stopped in late 1942.
DH.103Hornet and Sea Hornet28 July 1944Twin-engine fighter
DH.104Dove and Devon25 September 19458-passenger airliner, military transport and communications
DH.105Not builtThree-seat primary trainer with fixed landing gear to Specification T.23/43. Production contract won by the Percival Prentice.
DH.106Comet27 July 1949Jet airliner
DH.107Not builtProposed development of the Vampire that eventually became the Venom.
DH.108de Havilland DH 108 "Swallow"15 May 1946Swept wing experimental aircraft
DH.109Not builtDesign study for a four-engine airliner.

Designation also possibly used for a naval strike aircraft to Specification N.8/49.

DH.110Sea Vixen26 September 1951Two-seat naval fighter
DH.111Not builtJet bomber based on Comet I to Specification B.35/46 proposed in May 1948. Despite not meeting the Specification, it represented the most advanced aircraft that could be produced with a certainty of success within a reasonable time scale. The Comet's wing and engines and tailplane were fitted to a thinner fuselage that could carry a single 10000 lb bomb or eighteen 1000 lb bombs and a crew of four. Pilot located under a bubble canopy offset to the left with the copilot on the right side and two radar navigators/bomb aimers behind the pilot facing to the rear.
DH.112Venom2 September 1949Jet fighter
DH.113Vampire NF.10Night fighter variant
DH.114Heron10 May 1950Small airliner development of Dove
DH.115Vampire, T.11 and export variantstwo seat trainer variant
DH.116Not builtNaval jet fighter to Specification N.114 powered by a Rolls-Royce RA.14 Avon jet engine with an estimated maximum speed of Mach 1.0 in level flight. Cockpit and fuselage were based on the Sea Venom with a new thin-section swept-back wing. Dropped in favor of the DH.110.
DH.117Not builtSubmission to F.155T, designed with straight wing and to be powered by two de Havilland Gyron Junior turbojets and one de Havilland Spectre rocket.
DH.118Not builtLong-haul jet transport powered by four Rolls-Royce Conway jet engines. Designed as a Comet successor to carry 120 passengers on transatlantic and similar long-distance routes. Larger than the Comet but smaller than the Boeing 707, the DH.118 promised improved speed and increased range. Announced in the House of Commons on 24 October 1956, the aircraft was planned to commence operations in February 1962, but was abandoned in February 1957 in favor of the Vickers VC10.
DH.119Not builtHigh-speed short to medium range high-capacity airliner. Projected in 1956-1957, the DH.119 was based on Comet experience and intended to fulfill a BEA requirement. The aircraft sat 95 passengers over lengths of 1250 mi. Wings and tail surfaces were swept back 35° with four Rolls-Royce Avon jet engines mounted in pairs under the wing trailing edge.
DH.120Not builtJet airliner similar to the DH.119, but to meet both BEA and BOAC requirements.
DH.121Hawker Siddeley Trident9 January 1962Three-engine jet airliner
DH.122Not builtProposed Trident variant to compete with the Vickers VC10.

Number also used for a executive aircraft project at Christchurch powered by two Gnome engines to complement the DH.123.

DH.123Not builtFeederliner intended as a Dakota replacement. Powered by two de Havilland Gnome turboprops with a high-wing layout and a maximum capacity of 40 passengers or a payload of 7800 lb. Designed for economic operations over very short routes (e.g 200 mi), but with a full fuel load and payload reduced to 2400 lb, the range could be extended to 1610 mi. Abandoned due to competition with the HS.748 when de Havilland joined Hawker Siddeley. de Havilland turned to the DH.126 instead.
DH.124A series of design studies for a twin-engine jet airliner with BS.75 engines on the rear fuselage and a high-swept tail. The aircraft would seat 48 passengers with room forward for cargo. Similar in size to the Hunting H.107 project.
DH.125British Aerospace 125 initially "Jet Dragon"13 August 1962Medium corporate jet
DH.126Not builtTwin jet-engine feederliner similar to the DH.125 but seating 26-32 passengers. Design put forward in May 1960, powered by two engines of 3500-4200 lb thrust range. Engines considered were the Rolls-Royce RB.173, de Havilland BS.92 and GE CF-700.
DH.127Not builtProposed delta-winged strike fighter for Royal Navy as Blackburn Buccaneer replacement, early 1960s. Design featured two Rolls-Royce Spey engines with vectored thrust and two Rolls-Royce RB.108 lift jets in the nose to lower approach speed. Designation chosen to avoid confusion with the Hawker P.1127 that was later designated DH.128.

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Jackson 1987, pp. 508–525
  2. Chorlton, M. (Ed.); Vampire, Aeroplane Icons, Kelsey (2014), Pages 6–9.