<p>Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland as to be two seat light bomber powered by BHP engine. First prototype flew in august 1916, but as BHP engine proved to be weak and yet to be required major redesign, DH.4 was adopted to be equipped by Rolld Royce Eagle engine. First order for 50 planes powered by Eagle III engine (250hp) placed at the end of the 1916. Basicly been a allo-wooden construction tractor biplane, the only "flaw" noted by its crews was fuel tank placed between pilot and observer cockpits what caused communication problems between the two crew members.
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Airplane armament consisted by one forward-firing Vickers synchronised machine gun and one or two Lewis gun on the Scarff ring mount on the observer position. It could carry up to 460 pounds of bombs on external racks on wings or central position. Due to shortages of Rolls Royce engines production airplane where also fitted with BHP (230hp), RAF3A (200hp), the Siddeley Puma (230hp) and the 260hp Fiat, yet none of the alternative powered DH.4`s could not match Rolls Royce powered machines.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/88123769@N02">Bernard Spragg. NZ</a> from Christchurch, New Zealand
2009-10-05 12:41
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/volvob12b/11194095965/">Airco De Havilland DH-4.</a>