De Havilland Hornet Moth

Design and development

The prototype first flew at Hatfield on 9 May 1934 and, with two other pre-production aircraft, embarked on an extensive test program that resulted in the first production aircraft (designated DH.87A) completed in August 1935 having wings of greater outboard taper. These were found to cause problems, especially when landing in three-point attitude: there was a tendency for the tips to stall, causing embarrassment to the pilot and often damage to the aeroplane. From early 1936, de Havilland offered owners of the DH.87A replacement wings of the new squarer shape at a reduced price in exchange for the original wings. Designated DH.87B, new aircraft from about manufacture Number 68 were built with the new square wings. This wing reduced the overall span by 8 in. The alterations slightly increased overall weight at some penalty to performance.

A total of 164 aircraft were produced, of which 84 were placed on the British Register. Over 70 British Hornet Moths were impressed for military service at the start of the Second World War. In early 1940, the RAF used Hornet Moths to carry out unarmed coastal patrols to deter German submarines, while later in the war, many were used as liaison aircraft. South Africa requisitioned 19 Hornet Moths, with the aircraft used for communications duties, while at least three Hornet Moths were impressed into military duties in India.

Small numbers survived the war and with time became highly prized by vintage aircraft enthusiasts. A small number are still flying, over eighty years after production ceased.

Variants

• DH.87 Hornet Moth : prototypes
• DH.87A Hornet Moth : production model
• DH.87B Hornet Moth : production model with wing modification

Operators

Civil charter operators and pilots 1935–2009

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;Switzerland ; - TC-ARK (photo exists)

Military operators

;

• L'Armée de l'Air ;
• Portuguese Air Force ;South Africa
• South African Air Force ;
• Royal Air Force (1940–1945)
  • No. 24 Squadron RAF
  • No. 49 Squadron RAF
  • No. 116 Squadron RAF
  • No. 510 Squadron RAF
  • No. 526 Squadron RAF
  • No. 527 Squadron RAF
  • No. 528 Squadron RAF
  • No. 529 Squadron RAF
• Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
  • One aircraft impressed and four from Canada

Specifications (DH.87B)

|prime units?=imp General characteristics

|max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= Powerplant

Performance

|never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed note= |wing loading lb/sqft=7.97 |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass=0.067 hp/lb

• Take-off run: ft
• Take-off distance to 50 ft: ft
• Landing run: ft
• Landing distance from 50 ft: ft--

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Follett, K. "Hornet flight", (translated in Italian "Il volo del calabrone", Mondadori Editore S.p.A., Milano, 2003 ) It's a fictitious novel, first printed in 2002, in which a hornet moth plays a key role in the story.

References

1. Hitler's Savage Canary by David Lampe {{ISBN. 978-1-84832-574-6 pg15
2. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage".