de Havilland DH.87 Hornet Moth
de Havilland · United Kingdom · first flew 1934 · light aircraft
The de Havilland DH.87 Hornet Moth was a two-seat cabin biplane designed as a comfortable private touring aircraft. It was notable for its side-by-side seating, an unusual arrangement for biplanes of the era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Side-by-side two-seat cabin biplane
- Tapered lower wing much broader than upper
- De Havilland Gipsy Major inline engine
The side-by-side enclosed cabin, a tapered lower wing of considerable chord paired with a narrower upper wing, and the neat de Havilland Gipsy Major inline engine in a long cowling are the key recognition features distinguishing it from the tandem-seat Moths.
Specifications
- The de Havilland DH.87 Hornet Moth has a length of 7.7 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.37 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 1 passenger.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in May 1934, the Hornet Moth was designed to offer enclosed comfort to the private owner. Around 165 were built. Many were requisitioned by the RAF and Fleet Air Arm for communications and training duties during World War II.
Variants
The DH.87B introduced tapered outer wing panels on both upper and lower wings, replacing the earlier constant-chord outer sections, improving handling. No other significant variants were produced.
Where you'll see it
Popular with private owners in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth before the war. Wartime requisitioning saw them used widely for communications flying. A small number survive in flying condition today in the UK and elsewhere.
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