DH.6 (Total: 1,482, Canadian: 72, Group 0)

Airco DH.6

Airco DH.6

The Airco DH.6 was a British military trainer biplane used by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Known by various nicknames, including the "Clutching Hand" and "Skyhook", many survived to be used as a civil light aircraft in the postwar era.

The DH.6 was specifically designed as a military trainer, at a time when it was usual for obsolete service types to be used in this role. Geoffrey de Havilland seems to have had two design criteria in mind. The first was that it should be inexpensive and easy to build, and above all, simple to repair after the mishaps common in training units. The top and bottom wings were square-cut and interchangeable, hence roundels often located in unusual positions. They were heavily cambered, and braced with cables rather than streamlined wires. On the original version of the type there was no stagger. Even the fin and rudder, on the prototype of the usual curved de Havilland outline, were cut square on production machines. The fuselage structure was a straight box with no attempt at refinement of outline "“ instructor and pupil sat in tandem on basketwork seats in a single cockpit, spartan even by the standards of the time. The standard engine was the readily available 90 hp (67 kW) RAF 1a. Because of its use in the B.E.2 the engine was familiar to RFC mechanics. No cowling was used, and upswept straight exhaust pipes were fitted. When stocks of the RAF 1a ran short, other engines were fitted, including the 80 hp (60 kW) Renault.

The second design criterion was that the new trainer should be relatively safe to fly, both for the student and his instructor. RFC instructors at the time referred to student pilots as "Huns" (the term normally applied to German airmen) and casualties at training schools were high. To improve safety the instructor could decouple the student's controls to avoid having to wrestle with him. The new trainer's flying characteristics were selected to achieve the desired safety. De Havilland had carried out extensive research into stability and control in aircraft while with the Royal Aircraft Factory, which helped in designing a safe but deliberately unstable aircraft. As a result, the DH.6 had very gentle flying characteristics and was probably the most "forgiving" aircraft of its time, allowing itself to be flown "crab wise" in improperly banked turns and able to maintain sustained flight at speeds as low as 30 miles per hour (48 km/h).

In fact, the DH.6 was described as "too safe" to make a good trainer, as its reaction to inexpert piloting was too gentle to prepare pilots for combat aircraft such as the Sopwith Camel, whose handling was unusually difficult even for the era. With its low power, strong construction and lack of streamlining, its maximum speed was very low. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia DH-6

DH.6 serial C1381

s/n C1381

C 1381

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1382

s/n C1382

C 1382

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1383

s/n C1383

C 1383

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1384

s/n C1384

C 1384

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1385

s/n C1385

C 1385

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1386

s/n C1386

C 1386

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1387

s/n C1387

C 1387

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1388

s/n C1388

C 1388

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1389

s/n C1389

C 1389

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1390

s/n C1390

C 1390

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1391

s/n C1391

C 1391

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1392

s/n C1392

C 1392

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1393

s/n C1393

C 1393

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1394

s/n C1394

C 1394

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1395

s/n C1395

C 1395

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1396

s/n C1396

C 1396

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1397

s/n C1397

C 1397

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1398

s/n C1398

C 1398

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1399

s/n C1399

C 1399

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1400

s/n C1400

C 1400

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1401

s/n C1401

C 1401

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1402

s/n C1402

C 1402

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1403

s/n C1403

C 1403

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1404

s/n C1404

C 1404

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1405

s/n C1405

C 1405

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1406

s/n C1406

C 1406

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1407

s/n C1407

C 1407

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1408

s/n C1408

C 1408

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1409

s/n C1409

C 1409

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1410

s/n C1410

C 1410

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1411

s/n C1411

C 1411

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1412

s/n C1412

C 1412

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1413

s/n C1413

C 1413

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1414

s/n C1414

C 1414

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1415

s/n C1415

C 1415

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1416

s/n C1416

C 1416

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1417

s/n C1417

C 1417

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1418

s/n C1418

C 1418

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1419

s/n C1419

C 1419

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1420

s/n C1420

C 1420

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1421

s/n C1421

C 1421

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1422

s/n C1422

C 1422

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1423

s/n C1423

C 1423

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1424

s/n C1424

C 1424

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1425

s/n C1425

C 1425

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1426

s/n C1426

C 1426

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1427

s/n C1427

C 1427

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1428

s/n C1428

C 1428

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1429

s/n C1429

C 1429

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1430

s/n C1430

C 1430

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1431

s/n C1431

C 1431

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1432

s/n C1432

C 1432

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1433

s/n C1433

C 1433

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1434

s/n C1434

C 1434

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1435

s/n C1435

C 1435

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1436

s/n C1436

C 1436

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1437

s/n C1437

C 1437

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1438

s/n C1438

C 1438

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1439

s/n C1439

C 1439

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1440

s/n C1440

C 1440

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1441

s/n C1441

C 1441

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1442

s/n C1442

C 1442

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1443

s/n C1443

C 1443

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1444

s/n C1444

C 1444

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1445

s/n C1445

C 1445

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1446

s/n C1446

C 1446

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1447

s/n C1447

C 1447

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1448

s/n C1448

C 1448

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1449

s/n C1449

C 1449

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C1450

s/n C1450

C 1450

Known Units:

Believed to be ordered from Canadian Aeroplanes, but order cancelled with end of war. This is reported in Robertson, 1987 edition, not reported elsewhere.
last update: 2025-February-05

DH.6 serial C5172

s/n C5172

The Kingsbury Aviation Co. Ltd.

C 5172

DH.6 serial C7890

s/n C7890

C 7890