Aerei De Havilland: libri illustrati di storia e guide

De Havilland Moths: A Family Album

The de Havilland Moth family of aircraft are known the world over for their fundamental importance towards the development of the practical and affordable light aeroplane.

Despite first emerging in 1925, many can still be found flying today. Perhaps best known is the DH.82 Tiger Moth biplane use as a trainer in World War II.
However, a great number of different models were encompassed under the Moth name, from the original DH.60 Cirrus Moth to the clean lines of the DH.94 Moth Minor. Along the way were types such as the passenger carrying Giant Moth and the elegant Puss Moth.

This book traces the Moth family through all of the different types using photographs from the author's own extensive collection, as well as archive images and materials to bring the full story to life.

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DH 2 vs Albatros D I/D II - Western Front, 1916 (Osprey)

Flown by Victoria Cross recipient Lanoe Hawker and the members of No 24 Sqn, the ungainly yet nimble DH 2 helped the Allies attain air superiority over the Somme in early 1916 and hold it through the summer. With its rotary engine 'pusher' configuration affording excellent visibility and eliminating the need for a synchronized machine gun, the DH 2 was more than a match for anything the Germans could put in the air.
That is, until the arrival of the Albatros D II, a sleek inline-engined machine built for speed and with twin-gun firepower. Thus, the later part of 1916 saw an epic struggle in the skies above the Somme pitting the manoeuvrable yet under-gunned DH 2s against the less nimble yet better armed and faster Albatros D IIs.
In the end the Germans would regain air superiority, three squadron commanders - two of whom were considered pinnacles of their respective air forces - would lose their lives, and an up-and-coming pilot (Manfred von Richthofen) would triumph in a legendary dogfight and attain unimagined heights fighting with tactics learned from a fallen mentor.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and development - Strategic situation - Technical specifications - The combatants - Combat - Statistics and analysis - Aftermath - Bibliography - Glossary.

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Tiger! - The DH82 Tiger Moth

Alongside the Spitfire and Lancaster, the DH82 Tiger Moth biplane is one of the few aircraft that even the non-enthusiast can identify at first glance. This recognition comes in part from the Tiger's amazing longevity - first flown in 1931, the Tiger Moth was still active in military service in the 1960s, when Royal Navy Tigers were flying on and off aircraft carriers.
Easy to fly, but difficult to fly well, from the first the Tiger was a trainer but it has also been used as glider tug, crop sprayer, film 'stunt' plane and wing walker platform. In 1940 Tiger Moths were even fitted with anti-personnel bombs and the Tiger also flew on floats and from catapult launchers.

With over 8000 built, the Tiger saw service with almost every British and Commonwealth air force, as well as being exported to air forces in South America, the Middle East and the Pacific. The Tiger also saw service in civilian flying clubs around the world and even today, at least 250 Tiger Moths remain airworthy.
This richly illustrated book, written by a known De Havilland expert, tells the whole Tiger Moth story.

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De Havilland and Hatfield 1910-1935

The de Havilland Aircraft Co, already an international business, opened an aerodrome in 1930 on farmland which it acquired to the west of Hatfield. But significant events had already brought aircraft over the town, often de Havillands, for the past twenty years.
The company's School of Flying was the first operation to take up residence. Flying clubs moved in and recreational facilities were developed. Garden parties, aerobatic displays and national air races were hosted. Regular visitors included famous flyers, royalty and aristocracy, actors and actresses, racing drivers, politicians, senior military ranks and representatives from Britain's other great aircraft manufacturers.
Throughout 1934, new buildings were constructed to house de Havilland's global headquarters, factory production and Aeronautical Technical School. The victory of the sleek, red Comet in the England-Australia air race that October would have lasting significance for the town, which grew to accommodate the de Havilland workforce. The legendary Tiger Moth and iconic airliners such as the Dragon Rapide came off the production lines.
Increasing numbers of RAF pilots were trained by the School of Flying while the garden parties, flying displays and air races continued. Military aircraft contracts were getting larger as long shadows from Europe reached the town.

This book recounts the golden years of a famous British aircraft manufacturer.

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De Havilland and Hatfield 1936-1993

With the approach of WW2 the de Havilland Aerodrome at Hatfield went through a major expansion, concentrating on Mosquito production and development. The Company also pioneered the production and development of jet engines led by Major Frank Halford, leading to the Vampire jet fighter.
Early commercial aircraft were the Dove and Heron, but the major pioneering programme was the Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner, which first flew on 27 July 1949 and entered service with BOAC on 2 May 1952.

The DH.108 tailless research aircraft based on the Vampire fuselage was used to investigate the effects of the speed of sound, exceeding Mach 1 on 9 September 1948. The de Havilland jet airliner developed through the Trident, which was the first aircraft capable of automatic landing with passengers in all weathers, leading to the BAe 146 Whisper Jet, Britain's most successful jet airliner. In addition to developing turbojet engines, the Engine Company also developed rocket engines.

The Propeller Company developed air-to-air guided missiles and the Blue Streak stage 1 booster space rocket. Other types developed by de Havilland at Hatfield were the Sea Vixen naval strike fighter and the DH 125 Business Jet.

Features:
- Much of the history are first-hand experiences or from long-term employee interviews
- Many of the photographs were taken by the author and have not been previously published
- The wartime development of the Mosquito is covered as well as jet engine pioneering development
- Three generations of jet airliners were produced at Hatfield - Comet, Trident and BAe146 - plus the development of advanced Airbus wings.

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De Havilland Enterprises: A History

Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was one of the world's true pioneers of powered flight, a man as important to British aviation as the Wright brothers were to America.
From humble beginnings, he went on to develop some of the finest aircraft to see action during the First World War, before going on to create the illustrious company that bore his name. All of this began in his youth when, without experience, plans or instructions, he embarked on the ambitious task of not only building his very first flying machine, but also constructing the engine to power it.

This book explores the influences and milestones of his early years before going on to examine his company, De Havilland Enterprises, in detail. Amongst the momentous machines that he had a hand in creating were the Gipsy Moth and Tiger Moth - two iconic aircraft types destined to set a variety of aviation records whilst being piloted by de Havilland himself.
Another highlight of the company's history saw the esteemed aviatrix Amy Johnson fly solo from England to Australia in a Gipsy Moth in 1930.

The high-performance designs and monocoque wooden construction methods passed through the supremely elegant DH.91 Albatross into the Mosquito. The company then followed up these successes with the high-performing Hornet fighter, which pioneered the use of metal-wood and metal-metal bonding techniques, eventually resulting in the world s first jet airliner, the fabulous Comet.

Every one of De Havilland s products are listed and recorded in detail here, as are all the designs that never left the drawing board and the products of De Havilland's companies in Australia and Canada. Fully illustrated throughout, this volume is sure to be highly prized amongst serious collectors.

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De Havilland Vampire in Italian Service

The De Havilland DH.100 Vampire was the second jet engine fighter to be used in service in Great Britain and at the same time the first single-engine jet plane of the type mass-produced in the UK.
It was so internationally successfully that Italy also built it under license and its use marked the Italian post-war rebirth from 1948 to 1950 of both the national industry and the Aeronautica Militare Italiana, for whom the aircraft was the first jet engine fighter.

The volume is rich with black and white and color photographs, profiles and drawings.

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DH Hornet & Sea Hornet - De Havilland's Ultimate Piston-engined Fighter

Renowned aviation author Tony Buttler, with co-authors Collins and Derry, presents a detailed and fully illustrated account of the de Havilland Hornet and Sea Hornet in service, from the prototypes to the last surviving fragments.
It includes 38 specially commissioned and highly accurate colour illustrations, as well as more than 220 black and white and colour photographs. A listing of airframes is also included.

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DH9: From Ruin to Restoration - The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery in India and Return to Flight of a Rare WWI Bomber

In 2000 aircraft restorer Guy Black of Aero Vintage located the hulks of at least two Airco DH9 bombers in a remote part of India - hidden away in what had been a Maharaja's elephant stable at his palace in Bikaner, Rajasthan. They were truly remarkable finds, and extremely rare examples of a near-extinct and important WWI aircraft type - none of which had survived in Britain. Recognising their importance to the UK's aviation heritage, and excited by the challenge of restoration, Guy set about negotiating their purchase and returning them back to England.

Here the whole intriguing story is told - fully illustrated step-by-step - from discovery to recovery, through to research, restoration, re-construction and first flight, all in fascinating, meticulous detail. Also covered is the account of the restoration of the first DH9 to be completed, now housed as a non-flying exhibit at the IWM Duxford.

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The De Havilland Aircraft Company

This book tells one of the great stories of British engineering excellence in the twentieth century. Beginning with a two-man and two-woman family enterprise to build a primitive 'stick and string' aeroplane, financed by a far-sighted grandparent, the story unfolds rapidly.
Within six years the aeroplane's designer, Geoffrey de Havilland ('D.H') was able to create the D.H.2 fighters that helped to end the dominance of German Fokker monoplanes then shooting Britain's Royal Flying Corps from the skies France in 1915-16.

When the fighting ended, his D.H.9s operated the world's first sustained daily international airline services. Six more years and D.H.60 Moths established the worldwide club movement that put fun and adventure into flying. The D.H.88 Comet won the greatest ever air race, across the globe, in 1934.

When war returned in Europe, the D.H.98 Mosquito introduced new concepts of bombing - so fast that fighters could not catch it; so precise that it was possible to open doors of prisons for patriots to escape.
After the war, the D.H.106 Comet airliner survived disaster to open the way to an age of jet travel when no tow peoples on earth need be more than twenty four hours apart. We can be proud that an English company, led by people with vision, achieved so much on one man's lifetime.

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The De Havilland DH.60 Moth

In this book Stuart McKay tells the story of the ground-breaking DH.60 Moth, an aircraft that was to set new standards and which is still in use today. Developed from the DH.51 biplane, the DH.60 included innovative features, such as folding wings. The new plane coincided with the establishment of the first Royal Aero Club flying schools and the DH.60 was quickly sought after as a trainer.

This comprehensive book covers everything that the enthusiast will need to know about the various types of DH.60. These include the basic DH.60 (1925), DH.60 Cirrus Moth, DH.60G Gipsy Moth, DH.60G Racing Moth, DH.60X, DH.60M Metal Moth, DH.60T Moth Trainer, DH.60T Tiger Moth (which became the more familiar DH.82 Tiger Moth in 1931), DH.60GIII Moth and DH.60GIII Moth Major.

The author charts the ongoing successes of the aircraft, including record-breaking long-distance flights (such as the flight by Amy Johnson in a Gipsy Moth from England to Australia in 1930), height records, speed records and successes in racing.

Soon the plane was adapted with floats and skis for use on water and was used for film work. Not surprisingly, such an adaptable aircraft soon attracted the attention of the military and the DH.60 was used as a trainer and adapted for military use as the Tiger Moth. It was also popular with Commonwealth and foreign military forces.

The book also covers the use of the DH.60 in the post-war era and provides a list of the surviving aircraft worldwide.

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The History of the de Havilland Vampire

The de Havilland Vampire, the second of the RAF's post-World War II jet fighters, initially served as an interceptor. It later took on roles as a day fighter and ground attack aircraft with the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany from 1948 to 1954 and the RAF's Middle and Far East Air Forces. Over its forty-six-year career, it achieved several significant milestones, including being the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic, the first to land on an aircraft carrier, and the initial jet trainer for pilot qualification.

Beyond its contributions to the RAF in the 1940s and 1950s, the Vampire also served with the Fleet Air Arm and enjoyed international success, selling hundreds to air forces worldwide. During the 1950s, it formed the core of the RAF's night-fighter force, and from 1952 to 1967, it provided trained pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy, and foreign air forces.

This illustrated history, produced with the collaboration of the manufacturer, MoD, RAF, and other global air forces, delves into the Vampire's development and operational service. It combines narrative and technical insights with personal accounts from individuals associated with the aircraft. Comprehensive appendices offer technical specifications, production details, serial numbers, and export information.

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Venom - De Havilland Venom and Sea Venom - The Complete History

The Venom carried out more operational ground attack sorties than any other RAF aircraft since the Second World War, but its history has hitherto been sadly neglected. With the co-operation and assistance of many former Service and civilian pilots, the record can finally be set straight in what is the definitive history of this ground-attack, all weather and naval strike fighter.

David Watkins discusses the problems of the trials and development programme and takes a detailed look at the aircraft's operational service with the air arms of Australia, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Iraq and Venezuela.
Of particular interest is information relating to the Sea Venom's career with the Fleet Air Arm. It also contains a comprehensive account of Venom sorties during the Suez campaign, the 'Firedog' operations in Malaya and the protracted anti-terrorist offensive in Aden and Oman. These accounts throw new light on the conflicts and have been compiled from interviews, private papers and personal accounts.

Accompanying the text is a wealth of photographs, line drawings and maps, a number of which are from private collections and are previously unpublished.

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