1/72 Airci D.H.1A conversion from Airfix D.H.4

[pheonix]

Evening All,

 

Nearly 40 years ago I decided that I would build/convert models of the 7 British designed pusher aircraft that saw active service with the RFC/RNAS during WW1. I had already built the Revell DH 2, at the time the only kit available. Then I stopped modelling and subsequently most of the other pushers were released as vacuforms. However, when I started modelling again about 8 years ago I found two started but unfinished models of the Vickers FB 5 and FB 9 Gunbuses in a box in my roof which I had entirely forgotten and I decided to take up again the challenge of building all of the pushers. I do not like vacuforms so my original intention, to make conversions from injection moulded kits, was carried out, and this was the last subject I tackled.

 

 

When G. de Haviland left the Royal Aircraft Factory in 1914 to join the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) as chief designer he had been working on the FE 1 and BE 2 designs at Farnborough. His first design for his new employer was a two seat tractor biplane, but the War Office wanted a pusher design similar to the FE 2 because they wanted an armed biplane but there were no reliable interruptor mechanisms available to stop bullets from striking the propellor. Consequently de Haviland produced a pusher design where the prototype was powered by the 70 hp Renault V8 engine. This first flew in January 1915 and an order for 49 machines followed. Called the DH 1 this machine took a long time to get into production, (like all other British aircraft at this time), and it was not adopted by the RFC because the FE 2b had already been ordered in large numbers and had a better overall performance.

 

 

The DH 1A was an attempt to improve the performance by installing a 120 hp Beardmore engine, (the same as powered the FE 2b), with a radiator behind the pilot and a gravity tank under the port upper wing. It was armed with a Lewis machine gun on a mounting in front of the observer, and one behind: the observer sat in the front cockpit. About 23 machines were built and delivered to the RFC of which 6 were sent to Palestine to no 14 Squadron who operated it alongside other types. It was used mainly for escort duties but at least one enemy aircraft was shot down - a Rumpler two-seater. The remainder of the DH 1 and 1A's were sent to home defence squadrons in Britain or to training squadrons where the survivors were finally withdrawn from service in the autumn of 1918.

 

 

This conversion used the wings, (suitably reshaped), from the Airfix D.H. 4 plus the wheels, Lewis gun, and mainplane struts. The fuselage was push moulded, the engine was from Aeroclub, and the remainder was scratch built form card or strip. It is rigged with rolled 40 SWG copper wire. Therre is a build thread at https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3261.msg54813#msg54813

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

[HOUSTON]

pheonix,

 

OUTSTANDING  build and looks very NEAT.

Brautiful workmanship. 

FLAWLESS work.

 

   

[Spitfire31]

That's a lot of built-in headwind! Superb rigging and otherwise work.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[ForestFan]

Blooming heck that’s some rigging job! Excellent madness sir!

[Space Ranger]

That's one you don't see every day! Bloomin' gorgeous, it is.

[Courageous]

Spiders have done an excellent job.

 

Stuart