De Havilland: DH 86 Express
Note: This is a sub-section of De Havilland: Aircraft.
The De Havilland Express, also known as the De Havilland D.H.86, was a four-engined passenger aircraft manufactured by the De Havilland Aircraft Company between 1934 and 1937.
The D.H.86 was conceptually a four-engined enlargement of the successful De Havilland Dragon, but of more streamlined appearance with tapered wings and extensive use of metal fairings around struts and undercarriage. The most powerful engine made by de Havilland, the new 200 hp (149 kW) Gipsy Six, was selected. For long-range work the aircraft was to carry a single pilot in the streamlined nose, with a wireless operator behind. Maximum seating for ten passengers was provided in the long-range type, however the short-range Holyman aircraft were fitted with twelve seats.
A smaller variant became the Dragon Rapide
Variants
D.H.86
- Four-engined medium-transport biplane. First production version 32-built with the first four with a single-pilot cockpit.
D.H.86A
- Improved version pneumatic landing gear, metal rudder and modified widescreen. 20-built, all converted to DH.86B standard.
D.H.86B
- Fitted with auxiliary endplate fins to the tailplane, 10-built.
See Also
Sources of Information