DH2

The de Havilland DH-2:

Historical Notes:

Contrary to popular belief, the DH-2 was not developed as a response to the "Fokker Scare" of 1915. The prototype was already being tested when the first Fokker Eindeckers began operations on the western front. The plane was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland for the Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (known as Airco). De Havilland enjoys the rare distinction of having designed aircraft for another company, yet having his name applied to them. Such now famous designers as Reinhold Platz (for Antony Fokker) were never awarded such an honor. The DH-2 was designed as a pusher aircraft, since synchronization equipment was still not deployed in Britain. What is ironic is that such gear was available to British government officials as early as 1913, but the War Office bought the rights and then did nothing with it. As a result, many English pilots lost their lives due to the inefficiency of the pusher machines.

Nevertheless, the DH-2 acquitted itself well in combat once pilots got used to its sensitive handling characteristics. Very maneuverable and light, the DH-2 could outperform the German Eindecker, but was difficult to fly, especially since it was laterally unstable (side-to-side slipping). Initially, there were some casualties due to spinning, until the pilots learned to use such to their advantage. Eventually one pilot would demonstrate the agility of the plane by doing a full loop just above ground level, and pilots gained confidence in their new mount. As to armament, the DH-2 was initially designed to have a swivel mounted Lewis gun. How the pilot was to execute aerobatic functions, track enemy aircraft, and aim the machinegun was anyone's guess. Eventually the Lewis gun was placed in a fixed mount and pilots learned to "aim" their machine at the enemy.

The de Havilland plane was not without its critics. Because of some rare, but spectacular, accidents, the plane earned the undeserved nickname of "The Spinning Incinerator." On several other occasions, the rotary engine blew out a cylinder, which severed wires in the tail boom, causing the entire tail structure to tear free. The pilots in those incidents did not survive. But despite these failings, the DH-2 was actually a fairly sturdy and well-built plane for its day which saved a number of pilots in crash landing situations.

By 1916, the DH-2 rapidly became obsolete. Although very maneuverable, it was handicapped by slow speed, its pusher engine arrangement, and poor armament. The newer German scouts, such as the Halberstadt D.II and Albatros D.Is and IIs were faster, had twin machineguns (the Albatros), and better climb and dive rates. The DH-2s maneuverability, coupled with its lightness which allowed it to maintain altitude in a turning dogfight, was its salvation. DH-2s served in British fighter units all the way up to 1917, especially in other theaters of action. In an epic dogfight, renowned British ace Lanoe Hawker died while tangling with Manfred von Richthofen. As Richthofen wrote later:

"First, we would go twenty times around to the right, and then swing into another circle going round twenty times to the left. We continued the mad race, neither gaining an advantage. I knew at once that I was dealing with no beginner, because he didn't appear to dream of trying to break off the fight and get out of the circling. His plane was excellent for maneuvering and speed, but my machine gave me an advantage by being able to climb better and faster. This enabled me at last to break the circle and maneuver into a position behind and above him."

as quoted in "Fighter Tactics," by Edward Sims, p 19

Richthofen finally caught Hawker as he tried to escape to his own lines, since the westerly winds carried him over the German lines. Hawker was killed when struck in the head by bullets from Richthofen's guns. "He was a brave man, a sportsman, and a fighter." Richthofen posted Hawker's machinegun at the entrance to the door of his room.

Basic performance statistics: DH-2 with LeRhone rotary engine

Engine: 110 hp LeRhone rotary (other models had a 100 hp Monosoupape)

Weight: empty 1,004

Maximum speed: 85 mph at 5,000 feet (at best)

Climb rate: to 6,000 ft- 12 min.

Service ceiling: 14,000 feet

Flight endurance: 3 hours

Basic Specifications:

Manufacturer: Aircraft Manufacturing Company

Dimensions: Span 28ft, 3in; Length 25ft, 2.5in; Height: 9ft, 6.5 in; Stagger: nil; Dihedral: 4 deg.; Incidence: 3 deg.; Span of tail: 10ft, 3in.

Areas: Wings 249 total sq ft; Rudder 11 sq ft

Fuel: 33 gallons total; oil 5 gallons

Armament: single fixed Lewis machinegun

Typical ammo load: usually four drums (97 rounds each): total- 388 rounds

Primary sources: "British Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "German Aircraft of the First World War," Gray and Thetford; "The First Air War," Kennett; "Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century," Hogg and Weeks.

Fighting and winning in the DH-2:

The DH-2 is slow. Do not try to out climb or out power the more modern scouts, such as the Albatros or even the Bristol Scout. However, the plane is nimble, and it can out turn aircraft of its time period (1915-16) while maintaining its altitude. Only the later model scouts can turn inside of the DH-2. Furthermore, it's of fairly rugged construction (for its day). Therefore, it can actually be quite effective in a tight turning dogfight. However, it is tricky to fly at slow speeds, and will tend to spin violently if turned too sharply (though the actual effect is somewhat mitigated for game purposes, watch out how much rudder you use!). Avoid loops and even Immelmanns (a half loop to reverse direction). Although the DH-2 can do these maneuvers, they are very slow, and when the plane hangs in the air you are sitting target. You can turn back on your target more effectively with a level break right or left, although a split-s or low yo-yo can also be effective.

A principle weakness of the DH-2 is its poor armament. With only one Lewis gun and four magazines of ammunition (with 97 rounds each), its firepower is limited. One of the difficulties with the Lewis is changing the magazine during combat. For the DH-2 this was not too difficult (it was in a fixed position in front of the pilot), but for such mounts as the Nieuport 11 and Se-5 series changing Lewis magazines became a major operation. In game terms it is difficult to simulate such, so the gun's rate of fire was deliberately slowed for simulation purposes (from 7.5 to 7.2 rounds per sec.. It's worse for the Nieu 11 and Se-5... only 6.7 rounds per second). You must aim carefully, and fire short bursts, since 388 rounds of ammo will vanish very quickly! Once on someone's tail, you can be assured of staying there, unless he's flying a late-model machine. It goes without saying that you close in and take him out as quickly as possible. Once finished, snap roll or split-s away, since you're almost certain to have somebody tailing you!

Which brings us to another weakness for the DH-2 .....the pusher arrangement. The engine in the rear was quite vulnerable, especially since most attacks came from behind. When an enemy pilot scored hits, they almost certainly struck the rotary cylinders and propeller. Once the cylinders were damaged, they could easily shed pieces (rotary cylinders actually rotated rapidly around the stationary crank shaft) which would strike the tail boom structure and lead to both engine or tail structure failure. These problems are reflected in the damage profile (the engine area is now in the "middle" of the plane, with the fuselage forward.... and more vulnerable to hits). Also reflected is the hard-to-hit tail booms. More difficult to hit, but once damaged could fail quickly.

Unlike other machines, the DH-2 can hold its own in a one-on-one in the Zone. Too slow to escape and too light to dive effectively, the machine can twist and turn, and in the hands of a skilled flyer can be quite deadly (the light armament being the key handicap). Many dogfights on the Zone tend to slip gradually in altitude until pilots are dodging back and forth at under 500 feet. If you get into a spin at this altitude, you will probably crash your machine. Avoid the temptation to follow your enemy down. Stay above him, thereby keeping the initiative. Eventually you will get more high-altitude targets to attack. If you do follow him down, accept the fact that if you turn too tightly, you will "spin in."

The DH-2 is in many ways a fine machine for a flier who is up to a real challenge and wishes to demonstrate superior skills.