Author: Hatfield Local History Society
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0992841658
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 98
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Book Description
A collection of essays that tell the story of the de Havilland Aircraft Company through the eyes of some of those who were there at the time. The story starts in the early 1930s when the company first moved to Hatfield and continues through World War II and into the 1950s.
Author: Graham M. Simons
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473861403
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 533
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Book Description
This fully illustrated biography examines the life, achievements, and brilliant aircraft designs of one of the great pioneers of powered flight. From his groundbreaking designs during The Great War to the illustrious company that bore his name, Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was one of the most important engineers in the history of aeronautics. Here, Graham Simons charts the course of de Havilland’s life from his humble beginnings to the influences and milestones of his early years, his versatile warplanes, and the post-war formation of The De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited. Amongst the momentous machines that de Havilland helped develop were the Gipsy Moth and Tiger Moth, two iconic aircraft types destined to set a variety of aviation records while being piloted by de Havilland himself. His high-performance designs and monocoque wooden construction methods passed through the supremely elegant DH.91 Albatross into the Mosquito. Next came the high-performing Hornet fighter, which pioneered the use of metal-wood and metal-metal bonding techniques, eventually resulting in the world’s first jet airliner, the fabulous Comet. Every one of De Havilland’s products are recorded here in detail, along with the many designs that never left the drawing board and the products of De Havilland’s companies in Australia and Canada.
Author: Philip Birtles
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 341
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Book Description
With the approach of WW2 the de Havilland Aerodrome at Hatfield went through a major expansion, concentrating on Mosquito production and development. The Company also pioneered the production and development of jet engines led by Major Frank Halford, leading to the Vampire jet fighter. Early commercial aircraft were the Dove and Heron, but the major pioneering programme was the Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner, which first flew on 27 July 1949 and entered service with BOAC on 2 May 1952. The DH.108 tailless research aircraft based on the Vampire fuselage was used to investigate the effects of the speed of sound, exceeding Mach 1 on 9 September 1948. The de Havilland jet airliner developed through the Trident, which was the first aircraft capable of automatic landing with passengers in all weathers, leading to the BAe 146 Whisper Jet, Britain's most successful jet airliner. In addition to developing turbojet engines, the Engine Company also developed rocket engines. The Propeller Company developed air-to-air guided missiles and the Blue Streak stage 1 booster space rocket. Other types developed by de Havilland at Hatfield were the Sea Vixen naval strike fighter and the DH 125 Business Jet.
Author: Philip Birtles
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 313
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Book Description
Previously unpublished accounts from the designers, builders and aircrew of the de Havilland MosquitoMany contemporary and previously unpublished photographsComprehensive details on the conversation of surviving aircraft De Havilland Mosquito: The Original Multirole Combat Aircraft covers the creation, design and development of this beloved aircraft. Built in Britain, Canada and Australia, the Mosquito saw extensive service in Britain, Europe and Asia throughout the Second World War. It was initially designed as a twin-Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered unarmed bomber (with a two-man crew), but the aircraft’s versatility allowed it to carry out many more functions. The additional roles of the Mosquito included path finding and photo reconnaissance; acting as a night fighter, an intruder, or a fighter bomber; electronic counter measures and naval operations; and high-speed courier missions. This book is essential for those seeking to study this iconic British aircraft, featuring the experiences of Mosquito designers, construction workers and aircrew. It also contains many original, contemporary and previously unpublished photographs, which cover the aircraft’s service with RAF squadrons and overseas air forces in its many varied roles. For reference, there are detailed appendices describing production, the specifications of each variant, the RAF and RN units equipped with the type, and details of Mosquitos that survive today.
Author: Tony Fairbairn
Publisher: Air World
ISBN: 9781399017336
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 256
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Book Description
On 20 April 1941, a group of distinguished Americans headed by the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, John Winant, and which included Major General Henry 'Hap' Arnold, Chief of the US Army Air Corps, visited the de Havilland Aircraft Company's airfield at Hatfield, England. The party was there ostensibly to gain an insight into how various US aircraft supplied to Britain were performing, as well as to observe some of the latest British products being put through their paces. The eighteen types on display included both US and British bombers and fighters. But the star of the day was undoubtedly the de Havilland Mosquito. Having first flown only a few months earlier, on 25 November 1940, the aircraft that was put through its paces was flown by none other than Geoffrey de Havilland. Striving to impress the trans-Atlantic visitors, de Havilland provided an outstanding display of speed and manoeuvrability. It was a routine that impressed the Americans and left them in no doubt as to the Mosquito's abilities. Though the visitors harboured doubts about an aircraft made of wood, they returned to the United States with full details of the design. The Mosquito had also caught the eye of Elliott Roosevelt, son of the US President and a serving officer in the USAAC. An early specialist in military aerial mapping and reconnaissance, 'ER' swiftly realized the value of the Mosquito in the reconnaissance role and began lobbying vigorously for its acquisition. The Air Ministry duly noted 'ER's' interest and influence. Following America's entry into the war, formal requests for Mosquitoes began in earnest in 1942. Initial deliveries for evaluation purposes in the United States soon followed in June 1943, the aircraft initially being supplied by de Havilland Canada. From February 1944 a steady flow of the photographic reconnaissance version, from Hatfield, were provided to what would become the USAAF's 25th Bomb Group at Watton, England. There they served with distinction in a variety of specialist roles, including day and night photography, weather reconnaissance, 'chaff' (Window) dropping, scouting for the bomber force, raid assessment, and filming of special weapons projects. A number of these Mosquitoes, serving with the 492nd Bomb Group at Harrington, were involved in the so-called 'Joan-Eleanor' project, working with OSS secret agents on the Continent. Finally, in 1945, the USAAF received much-anticipated night fighter Mosquitoes which enjoyed combat success with the 416th Night Fighter Squadron in Italy. In this highly illustrated work, the author explores the full story of why the Americans wanted Mosquitoes, how they went about obtaining them, and their noted success and popularity with USAAF units.
Author: David Watkins
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN:
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 728
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Book Description
The definitive book on an iconic aircraft Illustrated throughout with a varied and interesting selection of images, many previously unpublished An early jet aircraft that collected many notable firsts including the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic and the first jet to land on an aircraft carrier Comprehensive appendices covering serial allocations, production, export details and preserved airframes The de Havilland Vampire was the second of the RAF's first-generation, post-Second World War jet fighters to enter service. It began life as an interceptor but was soon re-tasked in the day fighter/ground attack roles with the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany from 1948 to 1954 and with the RAF's Middle and Far East Air Forces. Throughout its forty-six-year career, it collected many notable firsts: it was the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic; the first jet to land on an aircraft carrier; and the first jet trainer on which student pilots qualified for their 'Wings'. In addition to playing a full part in the RAF's order of battle during the 1940s and 1950s, the Vampire also served with the Fleet Air Arm and became an export success story for the British aircraft industry with hundreds sold to air forces worldwide. For a brief period during the 1950s, the Vampire formed the backbone of the RAF's night-fighter force and between 1952 and 1967, the Vampire trainer was responsible for a steady flow of trained pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy and foreign air forces. This comprehensive history covers the Vampire's development and operational service. It has been written with the full co-operation of the manufacturer, MoD, RAF and other world air forces, mixing narrative and technical detail with vivid personal accounts from those involved with the aircraft. Comprehensive appendices include technical specifications, production details, serials and export details. It is also lavishly illustrated and includes more than one story of encounters with UFOs by RAF Vampire pilots. **This electronic edition includes 315 photographs**
Author: Philip Birtles
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781781557631
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 224
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Book Description
At Hatfield Aerodrome de Havilland created the WW2 Mosquito, the first multi role combat aircraft. De Havilland companies pioneered turbojet development, leading to the Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner. De Havilland developed guided missiles and the Blue Streak rocket. The DH 108 was the first aircraft exceed Mach 1 outside the USA.
Author: David Robinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0244096740
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 694
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Book Description
Number 13 in the Aviation Ancestry catalogue of British Aviation Advertisements (1909-1980) this volume covers the listings for The De Havilland Aircraft Company from 1920-1940. Includes listings for The Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) and The Aircraft Disposal Company (ADC Aircraft, AIRDISCO).This catalogue also includes listings for Engines & Propellers in addition to their Aircraft. Each item is listed at one image per page and includes the source title and original date of publication.
Author: Alan Bramson
Publisher: Crecy
ISBN: 1800350023
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 296
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Book Description
The Tiger Moth is one of the major aviation success stories in the history of British aviation. Developed by Geoffrey de Havilland and flown for the first time on October 26 1931, the biplane became the most important elementary trainer used by Commonwealth forces. More than 1,000 Tiger Moths were delivered before WWII, and subsequently around 4,000 were built in the UK with an extra 2,000 being manufactured in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Following the end of WWII, pilots could buy and modify a Tiger Moth for recreational use or agricultural crop spraying and use it relatively cheaply. This, combined with its popularity within the aero club movement, provided employment for the Tiger Moths until the late fifties when the more modern closed cockpit aircraft began to force them into retirement. This new edition provides a comprehensive account of the aircraft's origins and its development as a trainer of Commonwealth pilots in times of peace and war. It also looks at some of the other roles which this versatile little aeroplane performed such as a crop duster, glider tug, aerial advertiser, bomber, coastal patrol plane and aerial ambulance. Technical narrative and drawings, handling ability and performance as seen through the eyes of the pilots combine to make The Tiger Moth Story the most comprehensive book of the aircraft.
Author: David Robinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0244996938
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 602
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Book Description
Number 14 in the Aviation Ancestry catalogue of British Aviation Advertisements (1909-1980) this volume covers the listings for The De Havilland Aircraft Company from 1940-1950. This catalogue also includes listings for Engines & Propellers in addition to their Aircraft. Each item is listed at one image per page and includes the source title and original date of publication.
