De Havilland Hornet Moth
The de Havilland DH87 Hornet Moth was a biplane with an enclosed cabin, which was manufactured by the De Havilland Aircraft Company. He served as a travel and training aircraft. During the Second World War it served also as a liaison aircraft.
History
The first prototype of the DH87 flew on 9 May 1934. The wooden fuselage and wings were covered with fabric. However, this has led to problems landing, so that a number of machines have been damaged. Therefore, De Havilland offered the owners an exchange of the wings. The aircraft with these new wings were called DH87A. In the episode type DH.87B the wings were changed again.
Variants
- D.H.87A, 60 pieces
- D.H.87B, 100 pieces
- D.H.87B as a seaplane, 4 pieces
A total of 165 units were built together with the prototype.
Today you can visit a DH87B in the De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, London Colney. Another machine is in Denmark, Dansk Veteranflysamling in Stauning. The Danish machine is still airworthy.
Became known as the Hornet Moth by the novel Midnight Hawks by Ken Follett.
Military use
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Força Aérea Portuguesa
- Royal Air Force