De Havilland DH.77
de Havilland · United Kingdom · first flew 1929 · fighter
The de Havilland DH.77 was a prototype British fighter of the late 1920s. It was a lightweight low-wing monoplane intended as a fast-climbing interceptor for the RAF.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.44 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small low-wing monoplane with distinctive streamlined bracing struts above the wing
- Napier Rapier air-cooled H-engine with very low frontal area
- Wide-track fixed tailwheel undercarriage
The wing carries distinctive streamlined bracing struts above it. Armament was a pair of synchronised Vickers machine guns on each side of the cockpit, and large-span ailerons and a stabilator gave good control.
Specifications
- The De Havilland DH.77 has a length of 7.44 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.8 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 328 km/h (204 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was a private venture built to Air Ministry Specification F.20/27, designed by W.G. Carter in collaboration with engine designer Frank Halford. The prototype first flew on 11 July 1929, piloted by H.S. Broad.
Variants
Only one aircraft was built.
Where you'll see it
It reached 328 km/h despite a Napier Rapier giving only 60% of the power of the Kestrel in the rival Hawker Hornet. The Air Ministry bought it and it served at Martlesham Heath until 1934, but the Hawker Fury was ordered instead.
Related aircraft
- de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth
- de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth
- de Havilland DH.75 Hawk Moth
- Cierva C.24
- Arado SD II
- Arado SD III
- Bernard 20
- Blackburn Nautilus
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