Airco DH.2 - 1915 World War 1 Fighter

In 1915 the DH.2 was legendary aircraft designer Geoffrey de Havilland's second design for the Aircraft Manufacturing Company.




At this stage in WW1 the British had not yet developed an interrupter mechanism to allow their machine guns to fire through a spinning propeller and so the DH2 was designed as a 'pusher' with the prop at the rear of the small fuselage to enable the pilot to fire a Lewis machine gun directly forward.

This design was quite successful, and the DH.2 helped to win air superiority back for the British after a period of significant defeats at the hands of the German Fokker Eindeckker monoplane.

For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airco_DH2


--

http://www.aviationfilm.com

Copyright © 2004-2011 Historical Aviation Film Unit

This video material may not be reproduced in any form (except as an embedded video on any other website), without the written permission of the Historical Aviation Film Unit.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• DH2
• Training
• aviation
• aircraft

[spoada]

was it as good as the german stuff or just more bait?

[HAFUVideo]

@spoada For it's time (1915) it was pretty much the equal of the German aircraft being produced and sent up against it.

[MrRascool]

I can't believe I'm looking at a DH2 actually flying. I remember reading about these as a kid, sadly mainly around Major Lanoe Hawker becoming Manfred von Richthofen's 11th victory in one. Went to Classic fighters 2011 with my brother (hey Tam if you're looking at this ) and saw an incredible collection of WW1 planes.

The DH2 is now on static display in the museum with an Eindecker but is still fully operational. Again, great to see this clip of it flying. Awesome work, Omaka airshow people!!

[ONeirda]

This is amazing. I'm so happy that there is people who invest thousands of hours just to keep them flying. This is aviation history alive. Great. Marvellous pictures, sound, light, machines! A. from Uri, Switzerland

[S1cKsfussion]

perfect landing? 

[paullubliner]

Get a rotary!

[shimon174b]

Excellent photography!! Thank you for sharing !! I am sure there is quite a story about this aircraft's existence .... can you share a bit of it?

[malchya]

What a great aircraft! As a youngster in the '60s I was fascinated by WWI aircraft and combat. There seemed a great deal of interest at the time. Now, sadly, it is as if it has become a forgotten conflict... But you have to love the old pushers!

[Docthewrench]

One awesome flying machine there....love WW1 planes....specially the pushers