De
Havilland D.H.104 Dove
The Dove was Britain's first successful
postwar civil aircraft, and one of the few successful Brabazon Committee
projects.
The Brabazon Committee was established during WW2 to define requirements
for British post-war civil aircraft. While the government established
committee was responsible for a number of failures such as the Bristol
Brabazon, its studies also resulted in the highly successful Vickers
Viscount (described elsewhere) and the de Havilland Dove.
The Dove was developed in response to a
requirement for a small feeder-liner for UK and Commonwealth domestic
services. The resulting aircraft featured new versions of the Gipsy Queen
engine, a raised flight deck and separate passenger cabin and all metal
construction. The first DH.104 Dove flew for the first time on September
25 1945.
Steady sales success as a regional airliner and corporate transport
(particularly in the US) was boosted by significant military orders (RAF
versions were known as the Devon, Royal Navy aircraft the Sea Devon).
The Dove remained in production until the mid 1960s (by which time it was
a Hawker Siddeley product), and a number of variants were built. These
were the initial Series 1, the executive interior Series 2, the military
Series 4, the Series 5 with greater range and more powerful engines, the
Series 6 (and 6A for the US) executive version of the Series 5, Series 6BA
with more powerful engines, Series 7 (Series 7A for the US) with more
powerful engines and raised Heron style flight deck, and Series 8 (8A or
Custom 800 in the US) with five seat interior.
Type: Twin engined eight passenger light transport
Wing: Cantilever low wing monoplane. Dihedral 4 degrees. All metal
structure with stressed skin Fuselage: Oval section monocoque structure with stressed aluminium
alloy skin Tail Unit: Cantilever monoplane type. Light alloy structure with
metal covered fixed surfaces and fabric covered elevators and rudder
Landing Gear: Retractable tricycle type Power Plant: Two De Havilland Gipsy Queen 70 Mk 2 geared and
supercharged six cylinder in line inverted air cooled engines rated at 380
bhp. De Havilland Hydromatic 1,000 three blade constant speed feathering
airscrews, 7 ft 6 in diameter Accommodation: Enclosed cockpit seating pilot and co-pilot / radio
operator. Main cabin has accommodation for eight passengers
Dimensions Span:57 ft Length:39 ft 3 in
Height:13 ft 4 in Wing Area:335 sq ft
Weights Empty:5,725 lb Loaded:8,800 lb
Performance
Max Speed:202 mph at 8,000 ft Initial Rate of Climb:920 ft/min
Ceiling:20,000 ft Range:1,070 miles
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