Airco DH.3
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| D.H.3 | |
|---|---|
| Type | biplane bomber |
| Manufacturer | Airco |
| Designed by | Geoffrey de Havilland |
| Introduced | 1916 |
| Retired | 1917 |
| Status | Prototype only |
| Number built | 2 [1] |
The Airco D.H.3 was a British bomber aircraft of the First World War. The D.H.3 was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland, Chief Designer at the Aircraft Manufacturing Company in 1916 as a long range bomber. It was a large biplane with wide-span three-bay wings, slender fuselage, and a curved rudder. It was powered by two 120 hp (89 kW) Beardmore engines mounted as pushers between the wings. In addition to tailskid landing gear, two wheels were placed beneath the nose to prevent bumping.
A second prototype, designated D.H.3A was built with more powerful (160 hp) Beardmore engines, and a production order for 50 placed by the War Office.[1] This order was cancelled however before any could be completed, because Strategic bombing was not thought to be worthwhile and twin engined bombers were claimed to be impracticable. The two prototypes were scrapped in 1917.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Specifications (DH.3)
Data from De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
- Wingspan: 60 ft 10 in (18.54 m)
- Height: 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
- Wing area: 793 ft² (73.67 m²)
- Empty weight: 3980 lb (1805 kg)
- Gross weight: 5810 lb (2635 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Beardmore inline piston engine, 120 hp (89 kW) each each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
- Range: 700 miles (1,130 km)
- Endurance: 8 hours
- Rate of climb: 550 ft/min (2.8 m/s)
Armament
- 2 flexibly mounted 7.7-mm (0.303-in) Lewis guns
- up to 680 lb bombs[1]
[edit] See also
Related development
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997, p. 118. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Jackson, A.J. De Havilland Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, Third edition, 1987. ISBN 0 85177 802 X.
- Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London:Putnam, 1994. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
[edit] External links
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