<p>Developed in 1915, the DH-2 biplane was one of the first effective British fighters of World War One. Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland, the DH-2 was a response to the arrival of the Fokker Eindecker appearing over the Western Front. One of the first true fighters, the Eindecker began the "Fokker Scourge" which saw the Germans gain a decisive aerial advantage over the aging British and French aircraft.
</p><p>A pusher biplane, the DH-2 featured a forward-firing .30 caliber Lewis machine gun mounted in the cockpit. Together with the Nieuport 11, the DH-2 was decisive in regaining Allied air superiority in the early months of 1916. In the stunning rate of generational aircraft development that marked the First World War, the DH-2 was eclipsed later that year by the next generation of German aircraft and was gradually withdrawn from frontline service.
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The DH-2 was the second design by Geoffrey de Havilland for the Aircraft Manufacturing Company of Great Britain and 400 of his model design were built. In it's short life span the DH-2 was the best pusher scout of the war and one of the best fighting aircraft. This highly successful pusher had good maneuverability with an excellent rate of climb. Mounting the engine to the rear of the fuselage permitted the use of a fixed, forward-firing machine gun. The DH-2 was designed before the Fokker, with its synchronized gun, became a menace and thus, for a short period, the DH-2 proved superior to the older model Fokker Eindecker of early 1916.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/88123769@N02">Bernard Spragg. NZ</a> from Christchurch, New Zealand
2008-02-23 09:37
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/volvob12b/8671290528/">Airco De Havilland DH 2.</a>