de Havilland DH.27 Derby

de Havilland Aircraft Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1922 · bomber

The de Havilland DH.27 Derby was a large single-engined biplane designed to an Air Ministry heavy day bomber specification in the early 1920s. It did not reach production.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	14.43 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Very large single-engine two-bay biplane heavy day bomber of 1922, with a Rolls-Royce Condor III V-12
Upper centre section carried on a long streamlined pylon instead of cabane struts
Dorsal gun position on a Scarff ring, and a split-axle undercarriage

A very large single-engine biplane with a nose radiator and four-bladed propeller. The upper centre section is carried on a long streamlined pylon containing the fuel tanks, and the split-axle undercarriage leaves room for a bomb under the fuselage.

Specifications

The de Havilland DH.27 Derby has a length of 14.43 m (47 ft).
It has a wingspan of 19.66 m (65 ft).
Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Built to specification 2/20 for a long-range heavy bomber, the Derby was a two-bay biplane without sweep or stagger. Two prototypes were built, the first flying on 13 October 1922. The Air Ministry preferred the Avro Aldershot, as the Derby was heavier and could not carry its bombload internally.

Variants

Two prototypes were built; no production aircraft followed.

Where you'll see it

The two prototypes were based at RAF Martlesham Heath and the naval station on the Isle of Grain until about 1924, used for general duties and tests.

Related aircraft

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