Up over the front

Air Classics, Dec 2001 by Hulett, George

De Havilland aircraft during the Great War

As mentioned recently, literature relating to aerial combat during World War One is slowly increasing. Greatly overshadowed by WWII chronicles, these distant feats of men and machines over the trenches are nonetheless every bit as fascinating and important. Flying Machines Press has recently printed two volumes titled De Havilland Aircraft of World War I. Authored by the knowledgeable Colin Owers, Volume One covers the D.H.1 through D.H.4 while Volume Two concludes with the D.H.5 through D.H.15.

Geoffrey de Havilland joined G. Holt Thomas' Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Airco) in June 1914 as Chief Designer. De Havilland had commenced his activities by building his own aircraft and designing its engine. Employed by His Majesty's Balloon Factory as a test pilot and designer, he was responsible for the design of the B.E.1. During the years of the 1914-1918 war, he would estabfish the name de Havilland as one of excellence in design with the compact D.H.2 pusher fighter, the D.H.4 bomber and into the post Armistice period with the D.H.10 Amiens twin-- engine bomber. The word elegant applies to all these aircraft and it would be refined in the following years in many other aircraft. After the war, Airco foundered and de Havilland established his own company on 25 September 1920, operating from Stag Lane, for 15 years.

When viewing these two volumes (which are packed with excellent scale drawings and numerous color profiles), the reader will be amazed just how far aeronautical sciences advanced during the four years of war. Published by Flying Machines Press ($34.95 for Volume One, $39.95 for

Volume Two), these highly recommended books can be obtained by calling (303) 443-7250.