The
DH-4 was the first British high-speed medium-weight utility
aircraft. In fact, the DH-4 had similar speed and climb-rate
to fighters of its day.
Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland while working at
the Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (Airco), the first DH-4 flew in 1916
and was known as the Airco D.H.4. Used extensively for
reconnaissance and day-bombing, the D.H.4 was the only early British
aircraft to be built in large numbers in the U.S. (designated the
DH-4). U.S. DH-4s used the Liberty
12 engine.
The career of the DH-4 lasted well into the 1920s
for everything from record-breaking flights to mail-planes and
ambulance aircraft.
