Airco D.H.2

Geoffrey De Havilland's D.H.2 pusher was instrumental in turning the tide of the "Fokker Scourge" in 1916. It wasn't the Eindecker's good qualities that led to German dominance, it was the first use of aerial combat tactics and the lack of an effective counter. When the D.H.2 appeared on the scene in early 1916, the Entente finally had a fighter that could hold its own and -- along with planes like the Nieuport 11 -- could easily outfly a Fokker monoplane.

While trials were conducted in France starting in summer 1915 (and the first prototype was captured by the Germans), there were only a handful of D.H.2s flying in France in ones and twos before the end of 1915. It was not until 1916 that the sight of a D.H.2 was more commonplace. &#8470;24 Squadron was the first to be fully equipped with the type, and it want to France on 10 Jan 1916, with its first enemy action occurring on 19 March.

301 D.H.2s were delivered to frontline units and another 100 were built as trainers. They served on the Western Front until the late months of 1916, and they served even longer in Palestine, Macedonia, and on Home Defense.

Replacement of the D.H.2 began in March 1917, at which time it was hard-pressed against German twin-gun Albatros fighters, and it was not until late June that the type was formally retired from front-line duty in France. In Palestine and Macedonia they soldiered on at least through September.

Card Links

 * 24 Sqn - Andrews
 * 24 Sqn - Andrews
 * 24 Sqn - Kerr
 * 24 Sqn - Lerwill
 * 24 Sqn - Saundby
 * 24 Sqn - Tidmarch
 * 24 Sqn - Tidmarch
 * 52 Sqn - McKendrick

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF108A Saundby; WGF108B Hawker; WGF108C Andrews
 * Shapeways: Arctic Skunk, Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Metal kit: ,

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Metal Cast:

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Kampfflieger