Airco (pre de Havilland) 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 DH-6CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (70), Canadian Aircraft Losses (2)DH.6 C1381
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1382
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1383
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1384
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1385
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1386
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1387
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1388
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1389
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1390
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1391
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1392
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1393
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1394
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1395
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1396
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1397
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1398
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1399
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1400
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1401
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1402
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1403
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1404
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1405
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1406
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1407
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1408
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1409
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1410
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1411
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1412
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1413
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1414
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1415
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1416
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1417
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1418
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1419
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1420
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1421
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1422
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1423
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1424
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1425
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1426
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1427
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1428
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1429
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1430
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1431
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1432
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1433
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1434
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1435
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1436
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1437
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1438
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1439
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1440
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1441
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1442
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1443
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1444
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1445
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1446
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1447
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1448
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1449
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C1450
Known Squadron Assignments:
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: 2024-February-19DH.6 C5172
Known Squadron Assignments: ;156
last update: 2024-February-19
1918-September-06 MIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Morley Roy Shier 2023-06-21DH.6 C7890
Known Squadron Assignments: ;242
last update: 2024-February-19 1918-September-13 KIFA RAF Second-Lieutenant Roy Theodore Stewart 2023-06-21PC — Ctrl-F
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