The Airco DH.4 is a British two-seat biplane day bomber of the First World War. It was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland (hence "DH") for Airco, and was the first British two-seat light day-bomber capable of defending itself. It was designed and developed specifically as a bomber, as well as aerial reconnaissance missions.

Modeled from a combat-tested British De Havilland design, the DH-4 was the only U.S. built aircraft to see combat during World War I. With inadequate funding to buy new aircraft, the newly created U.S. Army Air Service continued to use the DH-4 in a number of roles during the lean years following the war.

After training crews flew them in the United States, the first DH-4 Liberty planes were delivered to France on May 11, 1918. The aircraft served with distinction in the fall of 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne campaign, conducting both strategic and tactical bombing raids on German targets.

The DH4 was Geoffrey de Havilland’s first truly great design; a handsome two-seat biplane, it made its first flight in mid-August 1916 and the first production samples arrived at the Front in March the following year.

Production D.H.4 switched to the excellent 250 hp Rolls Royce Eagle III engine. Extensive use is made of three-ply wood in the fuselage. From the nose to aft of the observer seat the fuselage is devoid of wire bracing, the plywood serving the purpose. On 24 Dec 1917 D.H.4’s carried out a raid on Mannheim, operating from Ochey, distance 215 km.

In 1917, the United States possessed no combat-worthy aircraft upon entry into World War I. Several European aircraft designs were considered. Ultimately the DH4 was selected because of its comparatively simple construction and its adaptability to mass production. It was also well-suited to the new American 400-horsepower Liberty V-12 engine.

Two-seat, single-engine World War I biplane observation and bomber aircraft; 400-horsepower Liberty V-12 water-cooled engine. American-built version of a British design. Wings and tail natural finish overall. Fuselage light yellow on sides, brown on top. The United States possessed no combat-worthy aircraft upon entry into World War I in 1917.

The Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) DH4 (No3696) was a two-seat biplane day bomber of the first World War. It first flew at Hendon in August 1916, with its designer Geoffery de Havilland at the controls. After testing trials at Upavon and later at Martlesham Heath, it entered Royal Flying Corps (RFC) service on 6th March 1917, with No ...

2019年5月19日 · de Havilland DH.4 A.S.63786 at the Omaka Heritage Centre in New Zealand (David C Eyre) United Kingdom. Two-seat military bomber biplane. One 280 kw (375 hp) Rolls Royce Eagle VIII twelve-cylinder VEE liquid-cooled engine.

Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII water-cooled V12 engine, 375 hp (280 kW). Time to altitude: 9 min to 10,000 ft (3,000 m). Bombs: 460 lb (210 kg) of bombs. The Airco DH.4 is a two-seat biplane airplane designed by Airco for World War I. It became one of the most successful planes of the war.