Airco D.H.6

From Wings of Linen
Airco D.H.6
Role Trainer/Reconnaissance
Manufacturer Airco
First flight late 1916 [1]
Primary users U.K. (RNAS)
U.S.A. [1]
Wingspan 10.9 m (35 ft 11 in) [2][3][4]
Engine 90hp R.A.F.1a vee-eight or
80hp Renault or
90hp Curtiss OX-5
Armament none or 45 kg (100 lb) of bombs[2][3]
Crew 1-2
Max Speed 106 km/h (66 mph) [5][6][3] to 121 km/h (75 mph)[2]
Climb 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 29:00 [5]
Ceiling 3,000 m (10,000 ft) [6]
Range 310 km (195 mi) [6]

The design of the Airco D.H.6 was driven by one goal: creating a trainer that was easy to produce and maintain. Straight sided flying surfaces, interchangeable upper and lower wings and a flat top decking all were aimed at easy of construction. No one would call the result elegant or sleek. It did fulfill its aim of being a cheap and easily-produced trainer until replaced by the Avro 504K.

Later production models gave the wings ten inches of back-stagger and reduced the size of the rudder and elevators, which resulted in a slight improvement in speed.[4]

Starting in late 1917, it also saw action in anti-U-boat patrols and thirty-four DH6 flights were formed[7]. When a U-boat was spotted, a DH6 could do little to stop it, but the appearance of an aircraft overhead frequently forced the submarine to submerge, slowing its progress.[8] Thirty-four flights operated the DH6 from coastal aerodromes including five manned by the US Navy.[1]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Airco DH.6.

Timeline [note 1]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Preliminary Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
16Q4-18Q4 [note 2] XB --- 12 8 8

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[9]
  2. Acted only as a trainer until 18Q2.
Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lamberton, p.60.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lamberton, pp.214-215.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Angelucci, p.71.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Owers'01, p.12.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Bruce'69, p.190.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Munson, p.29.
  7. Angelucci, p.79.
  8. Owers'01, p.11.
  9. Philpott'13, pp.379-444.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Kenneth Munson, Fighters 1914-19, Attack and Training Aircraft. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1976. ISBN 0713707607
  • Colin Owers, Great War Aircraft in Profile 6: De Havilland Aircraft of World War I; Volume 2: D.H.5 - D.H.15. Boulder, Colorado: Flying Machines Press, 2001. ISBN 1-891268-18-X
  • Ian Philpott, The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Great Britain: Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2013. ISBN 978-1-78159-333-2