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IATA DHDICAO DOVE
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
De TravelerPulse profile
Britain's first postwar twin-engine civil transport aircraft.
First flight
1945
Category
Regional piston twin
Seating
8–11
Range
1,600 km
Engines
Two de Havilland Gipsy Queen piston engines
Status
Retired
The De Havilland DH.104 Dove was a British twin-engine light transport aircraft developed by de Havilland in the immediate postwar period. Designed as a modern replacement for the prewar Dragon Rapide biplane, it featured retractable undercarriage, all-metal construction, and relatively advanced avionics for its era. It first flew in 1945 and entered service in 1946, becoming one of the most successful British civil aircraft of its generation.
The Dove was widely adopted by regional and feeder airlines, as well as by government and military operators around the world. It was produced in several variants, including passenger, executive, and military versions. The Royal Air Force operated a military variant designated the Devon C.1, and the Royal Navy flew a version called the Sea Devon.
Over 540 Doves were built before production ended in 1967, serving operators across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Its reliability and versatility ensured it remained in active service with many smaller operators well into the 1970s and beyond, with a handful of airframes surviving in museums and private collections today.
Notable operators
British European Airways, Aer Lingus, Ansett Airways, and numerous regional and charter carriers worldwide operated the Dove.
Notable facts
- ›The Dove was the first entirely new British civil aircraft to fly after World War II, making its maiden flight on 25 September 1945.
- ›Over 540 aircraft were built between 1945 and 1967 at de Havilland's Hatfield factory.
- ›The RAF operated a military variant designated the Devon C.1 for communications and liaison duties.
- ›The aircraft served as the basis for the larger de Havilland Heron, which used a similar airframe with four engines.
- ›Some Doves were re-engined with turboprop powerplants in later life to extend their operational usefulness.
This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.
Encyclopaedia
The de Havilland DH.104 Dove is a British short-haul airliner developed and manufactured by de Havilland. The design, which was a monoplane successor to the pre-war Dragon Rapide biplane, came about from the Brabazon Committee report which, amongst other aircraft types, called for a British-designed short-haul feeder for airlines.
Read full article on WikipediaLatest news
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Key Aero· 2/1/2019
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Operators
No operator data available.
