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De Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird

From Alfawiki
de Havilland Aircraft Company
IndustryAerospace
Founded1920; 106 years ago (1920)
Headquarters
Stag Lane Aerodrome
,
United Kingdom
ProductsAircraft (including DH.53 Humming Bird)

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The de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird represents a British lightweight monoplane featuring a single-seat layout and powered by one engine, which first took to the skies in the 1920s.

Design and development

To participate in the Daily Mail Light Aeroplane Competition of 1923, de Havilland constructed two DH.53 models, designated Humming Bird and Sylvia II. This aircraft was a low-wing monoplane designed for one occupant and driven by a 750 cc (46 cu in) motorcycle engine manufactured by Douglas. During the October 1923 event at Lympne, although the DH.53s did not secure any awards, their performance was notably commendable.[1] Following the competition, Humming Bird underwent modifications including installation of a 26 hp (19 kW) two-cylinder Blackburne Tomtit engine and alterations to its undercarriage.[1] The design attracted the attention of the Air Ministry, which in 1924 commissioned eight units powered by the Tomtit engine to serve as communication and training aircraft within the Royal Air Force.[2]

In early 1924, twelve units were produced at Stag Lane Aerodrome under the name Humming Bird following the initial prototype. Of these, eight fulfilled the Air Ministry contract, three were exported to Australia, and one was delivered to Avia in Prague. Subsequently, an additional aircraft was manufactured for a Russian order.[3]

Operational service

File:DHHummingB.jpg
Royal Air Force Humming Bird

The initial six aircraft supplied to the Royal Air Force made their public introduction at the 1925 RAF Hendon display, where they competed in races against each other. Two of these later participated in "parasite aircraft" experiments involving deployment from beneath an airship — specifically the R.33. These machines were withdrawn from service in 1927 and subsequently sold for civilian use.[4]

Operators

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Aircraft on display

  • The prototype G-EBHX, which remained airworthy and was exhibited at the Shuttleworth Collection, crashed on 1 July 2012 resulting in the pilot's death.[5][6][7] The airframe has been restored to flying condition and returned to the Shuttleworth Collection in 2020 for final assembly.[8]
  • The fuselage of J7326 is exhibited at the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre.

Specifications

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See also

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References

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Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jackson 1987, p. 203.
  2. ↑ Jackson 1987, p. 204.
  3. ↑ Jackson 1987, pp. 204–205
  4. ↑ Jackson 1987, p. 206.
  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ De Havilland DH53 Humming Bird, G-EBHX, 1 July 2012, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, 10 December 2014
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Bibliography

  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

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