Early Aircraft Manufacturing Company-built DH.4 A2129, featuring short undercarriage and an Eagle III.

DH.4 A7459 - Aircraft Manufacturing Company-built - as painted at Bacton, Norfolk, in the summer of 1917. It and A7457 were modified and camouflaged for a project photographic reconnaissance of the Kiel Canal. The sortie never took place. The all-over camouflage was described as sky blue and biscuit.

Aircraft Manufacturing Company-built A7624, with an Eagle V, in service with 55 Squadron, Valenciennes, April 1916.

DH.4. Самолет A7712 построен компанией "Airco" летом 1917 года, эксплуатировался в 18-й эскадрилье Королевского авиакорпуса. Изначально DH.4 этой эскадрильи действовали с высот порядка 4500 м, но в напряженных сражениях марта 1918 года перешли к действиям с малых высот.

Westland-built N6000, with a Rolls-Royce Eagle VI. It joined 5 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, in July 1917 and was the chosen aircraft of CPO Bartlett DSC. It served until April 17, 1918, when it was destroyed in a forced-landing.

DH.4, 5-я эскадрилья авиации ВМС Великобритании. Изображенный DH.4 постройки "Westland" использовался британскими ВМС весной 1918 года. После образования 1 апреля 1918 года ВВС Великобритании эскадрилью переименовали в 205-ю и включили в состав ВВС. Эскадрилья использовалась почти исключительно для нанесения бомбовых ударов на Западном фронте на заключительном этапе Первой мировой войны.

Изображенный DH.4 постройки "Westland" несет окраску 2-й эскадрильи авиации британских ВМС - в 1918 году подразделение преобразовали в 202-ю эскадрилью британских ВВС. Самолет использовался для бомбардировок и разведки территории Бельгии вплоть до окончания войны.

DH.4B, 168-я авиационная эскадрилья Американских экспедиционных сил. DH.4 массово строились для американских войск, сражавшихся в Первую мировую войну в Европе. Данный DH.4B состоял на вооружении экспедиционных сил (AEF) во Франции, такими самолетами вооружили 13 американских эскадрилий.

Another Aircraft Manufacturing Company-built DH.4, A7845 was fitted with an Eagle VIII. It joined 2 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, in January 1918. It was fitted with a long focal length camera which required fairing to be carried under the gunner/photographer's position. It was withdrawn from service in March 1919.

The prototype DH.4 (which became 3696) at Hendon in August 1916. It was powered by a 230hp BHP six-cylinder.

Британский DH4 с двумя 105-кг бомбами под фюзеляжем

The British-built D.H.4 delivered to McCook Field for evaluation in August 1917.

This is a McCook Field (grand-daddy of Wright, Edwards and all the other test centres) experimental de Havilland D.H.4 fitted with British - Isle of Grain - flotation gear and what we would nowadays call 'hydro-ski' alighting gear. Note also the wing floats and miniature hydrovane on the tail skid. The flotation airbags are shown in the photo as "planks" on each side of the engine cowl. If you check up with May issue, 'What's in the Attic', you will find the selfsame gear in 'blown' state on the Parnall Panther. This particular D.H.4 is a dual-control model, with tandem headrests for the two pilots. Your own Harry Busteed evolved this hydrovane-and-airbag system at the Isle of Grain Experimental Station, R.N.A.S., way back in 1917.

Views of a US-built DH-4 with experimental flotation gear, showing the air bags deflated and inflated.

A US Army photograph said to depict the "last DH-4 at Clermont-Ferrand", about December 1918.

American D.H.4 "Liberty Planes" in France, probably during the spring of 1918. In all, 4,846 were manufactured in the USA under a grossly mismanaged production programme. The supposedly self-sealing fuel tanks, located between the cockpits, were a fire hazard.

Airco DH.4 из звена "А" 27-й эскадрильи на аэродроме Серни, начало 1918 года. За расположенный между кабинами топливный бак DH.4 прозвали "Flaming Coffin" ("Огненный (или пылающий) гроб").
Classic view of Puma-engined DH.4s on a French airfield in 1917. Crude attempts to obliterate the serial numbers are evident.

A de Havilland D.H.4 day bomber, A76?? Effie, from the batch A7401-A8089 built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Co Ltd at Hendon. This example has the 250 h.p. Rolls-Royce Eagle engine, and has the later fuel system using two wind-driven pumps on the fuselage behind the pilot, which replaced the original pressurised system.

Aircraft Manufacturing Company-built Eagle-engined DH.4 A7995 at Hendon. Note the windscreen applied to the modified gunner/observer's position, the aircraft probably being used for communications purposes.

D.H.4 N6000, the author's most usual aircraft during mid-1917 to April 1918 with No 5 (N) Sqn. It is seen here with its full complement of eight 15lb Cooper bombs under the wings and a 230lb RL bomb under the fuselage. Like most RNAS units employing D.H.4s, this aircraft was armed with twin Vickers machine guns for the pilot, and twin Lewis guns for the rear cockpit.

D.H.4 английской постройки из состава Красного Воздушного Флота

Тяжелый двухместный истребитель ПВО "Де Хэвилленд" DH.4 с 47-миллиметровой пушкой COW.

Some of No. 18's D.H.4s at La Bellevue, France, in September 1917. Note the Bessonneau hangars in the background

The first Soviet ‘DH.4’ built by GAZ-1 (previously the Duks factory) in Moscow, only 20 were completed.

One of the Fiat-powered DH.4s photographed on the day of its test in 1920. Note that DH.9 nose contours have been adopted. The radiators are of the old Salmson box type. The test pilot B I Rossinsky is seen second from the right (standing).

Этот D.H.4 производства фирмы "Westland" демонстрирует необычный обтекатель втулки четырехлопастного винта, который устанавливался на некоторых самолетах. Хорошо видна установка пулемета Lewis над кабиной летчика-наблюдателя.
A Westland-built D.H.4 bomber of No 202 Squadron (formerly "Naval Two") stationed at Dunkirk in the winter of 1918 displays much artistry, from the "red devil long-nose" on the fin to the "blue bird" surmounting the letter "M" on the nose of N5997, with zig-zag markings indicating Wireless Flight and self-explanatory symbol on the fin.

This D.H.4 is seen at Bellevue, on the Doullens-Arras road, France in 1917. Note the distance separating the pilot from his observer. The pilot sat under the wings and consequently his view upwards was very poor.

Компания "Westland Aircraft" построила для британского флота 150 самолетов DH.4 с мотором Rolls-Royce Eagle. Часть самолетов вооружили не одним, а двумя фиксированными стреляющими вперед пулеметами, а в кабине стрелка установили кольцевые турели Scarff.

As a reciprocal gesture for the many aircraft donated by the Commonwealth, the Imperial Government offered each Dominion 100 aircraft. Illustrated is an Imperial Gift D.H.4 in New Zealand

Отсутствие в годы Первой мировой войны адекватных для ведения боевых действий самолетов побудило США приступить к постройке DH.4 под наименованием "Liberty Plane". Три американские фирмы построили 4846 таких самолетов. Достаточно скоростной, с мощным мотором аэроплан, тем не менее, имел ряд недостатков. Так, топливные баки были уязвимы от обстрела с земли и размещались в опасном месте - между летчиком и наблюдателем.

DH.4A ‘Liberty Plane’ of the 11th Aero Squadron, typical of the character of the time.

A D.H.4 similar to that in which Lts Gilligan and Trewin escorted Leckie and his crew in the H.12.

Параллельно с разработкой тактики стратегических бомбардировок, которая велась такими теоретиками, как Тренчард и Дуэ, создавались и новые бомбардировщики. Самолет Airco DH.4 и его американский вариант DH-4 могли нести до 209 кг бомб и с большим эффектом использовались на Западном фронте.

Статус британских ВВС подтвержден. Июль 1923г.: после многих месяцев дискуссий британский правительственный комитет во главе с лордом Солсбери подтвердил статус Королевских ВВС как отдельного независимого вида национальных Вооруженных сил, прекратив тем самым попытки командования британских ВМС и Армии перевести авиацию под свое начало. Британская авиация часто привлекалась к самостоятельному решению задачи поддержания безопасности в колониальных владениях Великобритании, таких как Палестина (фото).

The race for the Coupe Lamblin was over the circuit Paris, Brussels, London, Paris. Our photograph shows Rex Stocken starting on the D.H.4C of the Aircraft Disposal Company

AIR RACING AT WADDON: Stocken on a D.H.4, Rolls-Royce "Eagle" engine, belonging to the Aircraft Disposal Company, finishing in the First Sprint Handicap.

Two Mexican army officers in full flying gear, about to be flown as observers with the US border patrol. This practice greatly improved cross-border relations.

Hollywood goes to war - based on John Monk Saunders’ story Death in the Morning, Paramount’s 1933 film The Eagle and the Hawk highlighted the psychological stress the Great War had imposed on pilots. Starring Fredric March and Cary Grant, the film used flying scenes from some of the studio’s earlier movies including Dawn Patrol, Wings and Young Eagles. The new footage was shot at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura, California, where a full-scale replica British airfield was built. Movie stunt pilot and aircraft supplier Garland Lincoln supplied four Nieuport 28s, five Thomas-Morse SC-4 Scouts, a Curtiss Jenny and a pair of de Havilland DH-4s for the film. Here, the British field comes under attack and airmen scramble past one of the DH-4s and a Nieuport 28.

These defence cuts are getting ridiculous

BRITISH AEROPLANES IN SPAIN: A batch of planes supplied to the Spanish Government by the Aircraft Disposal Co., Ltd., and flown over by them from Croydon to Madrid. On the left, the Queen of Spain christening an A.D.C. aeroplane presented to the Spanish nation by the Province of Salamanca. On the right, the Bishop of Madrid blessing an A.D.C. aeroplane presented presented to the Spanish nation by the Province of Zaragoza.
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AIR SERVICES IN QUEENSLAND: On the left, the ancient D.H.4 "still going strong" with the Queensland Northern Territory Aerial Services, and, on the right, reconditioning the "4" with new 3-ply. "The climate shakes up the old 'buses during the summer," writes Mr. Cecil J. Hazlett, who is seen in the foreground.

Unlucky for some - Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e B3983 was built from spares at Montrose and was allotted to No 52 TS. On September 13, 1917, however, while 2nd Lt R. Jardine was making his second B.E.2e flight in it, he climbed too steeply and stalled, losing his life in the resulting crash and writing off the aircraft. Airco D.H.4s are just about visible in the distance on the right.

The author in the cockpit of D.H.4 N5974, on January 25, 1918. Of interest is the neatly constructed “turret” built around the rear cockpit as part-protection for the gunner.

De Havilland D.H.4 A7457 was one of two of the type specially modified in mid-1917 as long-range aircraft with the 200 h.p. RAF 3a engine and additional tankage for a proposed reconnaissance of the Keil area, and given an unusual fawn and blue camouflage scheme. After the project had been abandoned, A7457 was fitted with a hydrovane in front of its undercarriage, flotation gear along the forward fuselage sides and wing-tip floats, and was used for ditching trials at the Isle of Grain during early 1918. A compressed air device blew the wheels off before alighting on the water.

At least one DH.4 was tested on floats for coastal patrol work. The likely identity of this example is A2144, which was built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Company.

An experimental twin-float D.H.4 seaplane used for coastal patrol work during World War One.

The “Office” - cockpit dashboard of a standard D.H.4 pilot's accommodation. The rear grip of the normal single Vickers machine gun used in RFC units can just be seen at top left.

Спарка синхронных пулеметов "Мэрлин" с телескопическим прицелом "Альдис" на самолете "Де Хэвилленд" DH.4 американской сборки.

A7457 was fitted with a hydrovane in front of its undercarriage, flotation gear along the forward fuselage sides and wing-tip floats, and was used for ditching trials at the Isle of Grain during early 1918. A compressed air device blew the wheels off before alighting on the water.

De Havilland D.H.4 bomber B7747, powered by a RAF3a engine, was a rebuild by No I (Southern) Aircraft Repair Depot, South Farnborough. Sqn Ldr Curtis crashed it on the Doullens-Arras Road near Bellevue Aerodrome, France, on February 16, 1918, when he was serving with 49 Squadron RFC. The unit's "dumbell” symbol appears on the fuselage side. Cause of the accident was faulty rigging, which made it "vitally necessary" to fly straight ahead. "If wheel brakes had been fitted" adds Sqn Ldr Curtis, "they would have been helpful."

D.H.4 A7469, also possibly crashed in Belgium. Built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Co Ltd at Hendon, it was one of a batch of 690 ordered for the RFC.

Еще одна жертва "Битвы при Ле-Катё" (под этим названием вошел в английскую историографию рейд на аэродром Бюзиньи 18 марта 1918 г): обломки D.H.4 сер. №A7663.

Sopwith Camels of 3 Sqn escorting D.H.4s during the battle of Cambrai, November 1917.

AIRCO D.H.4