de Havilland Don

The de Havilland DH.93 Don was a 1930s British multi-role three-seat training aircraft built by de Havilland at Hatfield Aerodrome.

DH.93 Don
Prototype DH.93 in flight c. 1937
Role Communications/Liaison
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer de Havilland
First flight 18 June 1937
Introduction 1938
Retired 1940
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built 30 (plus 20 unassembled airframes)

Design and development

The Don was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification T.6/36 for a multi-role trainer and was a single-engined monoplane of wooden stressed-skin construction. The DH.93 Don was intended to be a trainer for pilots and radio operators, and as a gunnery trainer, the gunnery requirement involved the mounting of a dorsal gun turret. Student pilot and instructor sat side by side up front, while accommodation for a trainee WT (radio) operator and the turret gunner was behind in the cabin.[1]

Operational history

The prototype with test marks E-3 (later military serial number L2387) first flew on 18 June 1937 and was transferred to RAF Martlesham Heath for official evaluation. In the course of the trials, more equipment was added which increased the weight, and as a result, in an attempt to reduce weight, the dorsal turret was removed. The aircraft was also modified with small auxiliary fins fitted beneath the tailplane.[2]

Despite the changes incorporated from the fifth aircraft,[2] the type was deemed not suitable for training and the original order for 250 aircraft was reduced to only 50 aircraft, 20 of which were delivered as engineless airframes for ground training.[3] The remaining aircraft served as communications and liaison aircraft, serving with No. 24 Sqn and numerous RAF Station Flights throughout the UK until early 1939, but all were grounded for use as instructional airframes in March 1939.[4]

Operators
 United Kingdom

Specifications (Communications role)

Data from de Havilland Aircraft since 1909[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 passengers
  • Length: 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)
  • Wingspan: 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)
  • Wing area: 304 sq ft (28.2 m2)
  • Airfoil: RAF 34 modified[6]
  • Empty weight: 5,050 lb (2,291 kg)
  • Gross weight: 6,530 lb (2,962 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy King V-12 inverted air-cooled piston engine, 525 hp (391 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed variable-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 189 mph (304 km/h, 164 kn)
  • Range: 890 mi (1,430 km, 770 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 23,300 ft (7,100 m)
  • Rate of climb: 820 ft/min (4.2 m/s)

See also

Related lists

References
  1. Dell, John. "de Havilland DH93 Don". Dinger's Aviation Pages. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  2. Jackson 1962, p. 354.
  3. Jackson 1962, p. 355.
  4. Ford 2003, p. 75.
  5. Jackson 1987, p. 389.
  6. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1986. No ISBN.
  • Ford, Daniel. "Outmoded Teacher: de Havilland's Don Crew Trainer". Air Enthusiast 105, May/June 2003, pp. 74–75. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Jackson, A.J. de Havilland Aircraft Since 1915. London, Putnam, 1962. No ISBN.
  • Jackson, A.J. de Havilland Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, Third edition, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-802-X.
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