De Havilland T.K.2

de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School

Industry	Aviation education and aircraft design
Founded	1928
Headquarters	Hatfield , United Kingdom

The de Havilland T.K.2 was a British single-engine monoplane from the 1930s, created by students at the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School. It achieved victory in two pre-war races and later established a speed record for its class on a closed circuit.

Development

Established in 1928, the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School aimed to strengthen the company's apprenticeship programme. Beginning in 1933, students began designing aircraft, with the most promising designs being constructed. The initial design was drafted by Dutch student Juste van Hattum and named the T.K.1, with "T.K." standing for Tekniese Kollege. Three models bearing the T.K. designation were completed and flown: the T.K.1, the T.K.2, and the T.K.4. These aircraft were not assigned official de Havilland type numbers.

Under the guidance of Marcus Langley, the school's design instructor, the T.K.2 was developed as a fast touring aircraft. It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a single engine and two seats, featuring an enclosed cockpit and fixed landing gear with spats. The maiden flight occurred on 16 August 1935 at Hatfield Aerodrome, piloted by Hubert S. Broad, powered by a 147 hp (110 kW) inverted inline de Havilland Gipsy Major engine. For racing events, the rear seat was commonly removed to install an extra fuel tank.

Around late 1935 or early 1936, modifications included an aerodynamically improved canopy and lengthened spats extending further aft. In 1938, the wingspan was shortened by 4 ft (1.22 m) to reach 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m), and it was fitted with a de Havilland Gipsy Major II engine delivering 140 hp (104 kW). At this time, the forward canopy was redesigned again with side panels extending below the rear cockpit rim. After World War II, it operated using a Gipsy Major 10 engine. As a one-off prototype not intended for mass production, only one unit of the T.K.2 was constructed. It underwent several test flights under United Kingdom 'B conditions' bearing test serials E-3, E-5, and E-0235 but primarily flew under its official registration G-ADNO.

Operational history

Between 1936 and 1939, the T.K.2 enjoyed a vigorous competitive career, particularly excelling in the annual race from Heston to Cardiff. In its initial configuration, it secured victory on 19 September 1936, with Robert J. Waight at the controls, achieving a speed of 189.7 mph (305.2 km/h). On 10 July 1937, piloted by Geoffrey de Havilland, Jr., it once again won the event, reaching 161.5 mph (259.7 km/h). Following modifications that included clipped wings and an upgraded engine, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. piloted the aircraft to another win on 10 September 1938 at a speed of 187.5 mph (301.6 km/h). Additionally, on 3 July 1937, it earned second place in a cross-country race between Heston and Newcastle.

The aircraft's performance in the King's Cup Race was mixed; it placed fourth at Hatfield on 7 September 1935 but dropped to sixth position on 11 July 1936. Its results improved in Isle of Man competitions, finishing fourth in the Manx Air Derby on 6 June 1938. On 27 May 1939, it won the race from Hatfield to the Isle of Man and subsequently took fifth place in the Manx Air Derby held on 29 May 1939.

On 30 July 1938, at Lympne in the Folkestone Trophy race, the T.K.2 achieved third place and was awarded a £10 prize presented by playwright Noël Coward. The aircraft also participated in the 1937 Cinque Ports Wakefield Trophy event.

During the Second World War, the T.K.2 served as a communications aircraft for the de Havilland company. After hostilities ended, it returned to competition at the Isle of Man, securing second place in the Manx Air Derby on 26 May 1947. Equipped with a Gipsy Major 10 engine, it set a closed-circuit record for a 100 km (62 mi) class on 31 August 1947, reaching an average speed of 178.3 mph (286.9 km/h) under pilot W.P.I Fillingham’s command. The aircraft was ultimately dismantled in December of that year.