Airco DH.3

The Airco DH.3 was a British bomber aircraft of the First World War. The DH.3 was designed in 1916 as a long-range day bomber by Geoffrey de Havilland, chief designer at the Aircraft Manufacturing Company. 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.

DH.3
Airco DH.3
Role Biplane bomber
Manufacturer Airco
Designer Geoffrey de Havilland
Introduction 1916
Retired 1917
Status Prototype only
Number built 2[1]

A second prototype, designated DH.3A, was built with more powerful (160 hp/119 kW) Beardmore engines, and the War Office placed a production order for 50.[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]

The DH.10 was a development of the DH.3 which first flew in March 1918, but was too late to see squadron service during the war.

Specifications (DH.3)

Data from De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: three
  • 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 sq ft (73.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,980 lb (1,805 kg)
  • Gross weight: 5,810 lb (2,635 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Beardmore 120 hp water-cooled straight-six engines, 120 hp (89 kW) each
  • Propellers: 4-bladed, 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn)
  • Range: 700 mi (1,100 km, 610 nmi)
  • Endurance: 8 hr
  • Rate of climb: 550 ft/min (2.8 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × flexibly mounted .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns
  • Bombs: up to 680 lb (310 kg) bombs[1]

See also

Related development

References

Notes
  1. Mason 1994, p. 48.
  2. Jackson 1987, p. 51.
  3. Jackson 1987, pp. 50, 52.

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.
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