DH4 - Aircraft of World War II

helmitsmit · 04-28-2006, 11:24 AM

I am interested about the Airco Dh4 or "WW1 Mosquito". I had a great grandfather who flew them with 18 bomber squadron based at Northolt. Anything about either squadron or plane around 1917 would be good.

I would also like pictures of the plane.

Can anyone help?

gis-nl · 04-29-2006, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helmitsmit

I am interested about the Airco Dh4 or "WW1 Mosquito". I had a great grandfather who flew them with 18 bomber squadron based at Northolt. Anything about either squadron or plane around 1917 would be good.

I would also like pictures of the plane.

Can anyone help?

top one :168th Sqn, American Expeditionary Force
bottom one : english

gis-nl · 04-29-2006, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helmitsmit

I am interested about the Airco Dh4 or "WW1 Mosquito". I had a great grandfather who flew them with 18 bomber squadron based at Northolt. Anything about either squadron or plane around 1917 would be good.

I would also like pictures of the plane.

Can anyone help?

don't know if it's the same 18 squadron

Unit: 18 Sqn, RFC
Serial: 7 (A7553)
France, August-October 1917; Crew: Lt J.Carling and Lt E.Farncombe (October).

helmitsmit · 04-29-2006, 03:51 PM

That is great! thanks a lot guys. Do you know any stories about them?

helmitsmit · 04-29-2006, 04:17 PM

thanks guys

helmitsmit · 05-12-2006, 11:13 AM

Is there any info on the Eagle engine?

Wurger · 05-13-2006, 09:43 AM

Hallo Helmitsmit !!!

I've found some pics of Dh4.I don't know if it could be useful for you but here you are.

source unknown:

Wurger · 05-13-2006, 09:46 AM

And then there some links.

http://1000aircraftphotos.com/SortedMenuD.htm
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft...airco_dh4.html
http://www.shanaberger.com/DH-4.htm

all the best.

helmitsmit · 05-13-2006, 04:22 PM

Thanks that is great.

Can anyone confirm a story I heard about that fact that the observer or pilot ( not sure) had to climb a ladder to fire the guns? I might have been on a SE5a?

Wurger · 05-14-2006, 03:58 AM

It might have been a bomber not a fighter,SE5a was rather a little bird.

helmitsmit · 05-16-2006, 02:02 AM

fair point. Anyway my great grandfather said that in one particular aircraft he had to climb a lader to fire the top gun (over the top wing) must have been difficult at 10,000ft.

Wurger · 05-16-2006, 02:45 AM

Your grandfather had had to flight before sergeant R.G.Foster invented how to fix a machine gun to a top wing and make easier its operating.

helmitsmit · 05-16-2006, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wurger

Your grandfather had had to flight before sergeant R.G.Foster invented how to fix a machine gun to a top wing and make easier its operating.

He actually got a reputation for always getting back. He was shot down four or five times (once he landed in/on a barn in Belgium)! He once spotted the red barren but didn't hang around to find out. Obviously, the DH4 was quicker then the DRI so he just dived into some clouds.

Wurger · 05-16-2006, 05:43 AM

Nice info.

But what about the ladder?
The kind of fixing MGs to a top wing ,quoted above, was inspired by Cpt.H.A.Cooper who was a short man and had trouble with operating a MG.Both Foster and Cooper served in the 11th RFC squadron.From 13th of June 1916 the Foster's device was introduced in all English squadrons using the French aircrafts.

helmitsmit · 05-16-2006, 10:14 AM

ah right, good intro