The Airco DH.9A was a British single-engined light bomber designed and first used shortly before the end of the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. It was a development of the unsuccessful
Airco DH.9 bomber, featuring a strengthened structure and, crucially, replacing the under-powered and unreliable inline 6-cylinder
Siddeley Puma
The Siddeley Puma was a British aero engine developed towards the end of World War I and produced by Siddeley-Deasy. The first engines left the production lines of Siddeley-Deasy in Coventry in August 1917, production continued until December 1 ...
engine of the DH.9 with the American V-12
Liberty
Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom.
In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...
engine.
Colloquially known as the "Ninak" (from the
phonetic alphabet treatment of designation "nine-A"), it served on in large numbers for the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
following the end of the war, both at home and overseas, where it was used for colonial policing in the Middle East, finally being retired in 1931. Over 2,400 examples of an unlicensed version, the Polikarpov R-1, were built in the Soviet Union, the type serving as the standard Soviet light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft through the 1920s.
Design and development
The DH.9A was planned as an improved version of the existing
Airco DH.9. The DH.9 was a disappointment owing to its under-performing and unreliable engines, and the DH.9A was to use a more powerful engine to resolve this. As the
Rolls-Royce Eagle
The Rolls-Royce Eagle was the first aircraft engine to be developed by Rolls-Royce Limited. Introduced in 1915 to meet British military requirements during World War I, it was used to power the Handley Page Type O bombers and a number of oth ...
engine used in the successful
DH.4 was unavailable in sufficient quantities, the new American
Liberty
Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom.
In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...
engine was chosen instead.
As
Airco
The Aircraft Manufacturing Company Limited (Airco) was an early United Kingdom, British aircraft manufacturer. Established during 1912, it grew rapidly during the First World War, referring to itself as the largest aircraft company in the wor ...
was busy developing the
Airco DH.10 Amiens
The Airco DH.10 Amiens was a twin-engined heavy bomber designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Airco. It performed the first nighttime air mail service in the world on 14-15 May 1919.
The DH.10 was developed in the final ye ...
twin-engined bomber, detailed design was carried out by
Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil, Somerset. Formed as a separate company by separation from Petters Limited just before the start of the Second World War, Westland had been building aircraft since 1915. Du ...
. The DH.9 was fitted with new, longer-span wings and a strengthened fuselage structure.
[Jackson 1987, p. 107.]
The first prototype flew in March 1918, powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle as no Liberty engines were yet available.
[Bruce 25 May 1956, p. 643.] The prototype proved successful, with the first Liberty-engined DH.9A flying on 19 April 1918, and deliveries to the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
starting in June.
[Bruce 25 May 1956, p. 644.] By the end of the war, a total of 2,250 DH.9As had been ordered, with 885 being built by the end of the year. As it was decided that the DH.9A would be a standard type in the postwar RAF, the majority of outstanding orders were fulfilled, with 1,730 being built under the wartime contracts before production ceased in 1919.
While the existing aircraft were subject to a programme of refurbishment, a number of small contracts were placed for new production of DH.9As in 1925–26. These contracts resulted in a further 268 DH.9As being built. The new production and refurbished aircraft included batches of dual control
trainers
Sneakers (also called trainers, athletic shoes, tennis shoes, gym shoes, kicks, sport shoes, flats, running shoes, or runners) are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise, but which are now also widely used f ...
, as well as six aircraft powered by
Napier Lion
The Napier Lion is a 12-cylinder, petrol-fueled 'broad arrow' W12 configuration aircraft engine built by D. Napier & Son from 1917 until the 1930s. A number of advanced features made it the most powerful engine of its day and kept it in produ ...
engines, which were capable of a maximum speed of .
The Soviet Union built large numbers of an unlicensed copy of the DH.9A, the R-1. After the production of 20 DH.4 copies, followed by about 200 copies of the DH.9 powered by the
Mercedes D.IV
The Mercedes D.IV was an eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled inline aircraft engine built by '' Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft'' (DMG) and used on a small number of German aircraft during World War I.
Design and development
The design was based around ...
engine (also designated R-1) and a further 130 powered by the
Siddeley Puma
The Siddeley Puma was a British aero engine developed towards the end of World War I and produced by Siddeley-Deasy. The first engines left the production lines of Siddeley-Deasy in Coventry in August 1917, production continued until December 1 ...
(designated R-2), a copy of the DH.9A powered by the M-5 engine, a Soviet copy of the DH.9A's Liberty, entered production in 1924.
[Alexandrov and Petrov 1998, pp. 55–56.] The Polikarpov R-4 was a modification of the R-1, with the engine lowered and moved forward by to improve both the forward visibility and the C.G position. The nose shape was improved by fairing and by installing a retractable ventral radiator. Overall length was increased by . Landing legs were changed from wood to steel. Testing showed insufficient improvement over the R-1 to justify production but late R-1s incorporated some of the modifications.
[Gunston 1995, p.287-8.]
US version and pressurised flights
The United States also planned to adopt the DH.9A as a replacement for the DH.4. Development work on the Americanization of the aircraft commenced at
McCook Field
McCook Field was an airfield and aviation experimentation station in Dayton, Ohio, United States. It was operated by the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps and its successor the United States Army Air Service from 1917 to 1927. It was named fo ...
in
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton () is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater Day ...
.
Modifications included a new fuel system with increased fuel capacity, revised wings and tail surfaces, and replacement of the
Vickers machine gun
The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a Water cooling, water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine gun produced by Vickers Limited, originally for the British Army. The gun was operated by a three-man crew but typically required more me ...
on the port side of the British built aircraft with a Browning machine gun on the starboard side.
[Jackson 1987, pp. 108–110, 119.] Plans called for
Curtiss
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company (1909 – 1929) was an American aircraft manufacturer originally founded by Glenn Hammond Curtiss and Augustus Moore Herring in Hammondsport, New York. After significant commercial success in its first decade ...
to build 4,000 modified aircraft, designated USD-9A. This order was cancelled with the end of the war and only nine were built by McCook Field and
Dayton-Wright
The Dayton-Wright Company was formed in 1917, on the declaration of war between the United States and Germany, by a group of Ohio investors that included Charles F. Kettering and Edward A. Deeds of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco E ...
.
One McCook aircraft was additionally modified with an enclosed,
pressurised cockpit. In 1921, test pilot Lt. Harold R. Harris made the world's first high-altitude flight in a pressurised aircraft in the USD-9A at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio.
[Cornelisse 2002, pp. 120–121.]
Operational history
First World War
The DH.9A entered service in July 1918 with
No. 110 Squadron RAF
No. 110 Squadron RAF was a unit of the British Royal Air Force, initially formed as a bomber squadron during the First World War. Re-formed during the Second World War, again as a bomber squadron, it was re-formed twice more post-war, firstly as ...
, moving to France on 31 August 1918 to serve with the RAF's
Independent Air Force
The Independent Air Force (IAF), also known as the Independent Force or the Independent Bombing Force and later known as the Inter-Allied Independent Air Force, was a First World War strategic bombing force which was part of Britain's Royal Air ...
on strategic bombing missions. Its first mission was against a German airfield on 14 September 1918.
A further three squadrons commenced operations over the Western Front before the Armistice, with
99 Squadron (also serving with the Independent Air Force) replacing DH.9s, while
18 Squadron and
216 Squadron replaced DH.4s.
Despite the superior performance of the DH.9A over the DH.9, the DH.9A squadrons suffered high losses during their long range bombing missions over Germany.
[Williams 1999, p. 201.] Other squadrons flew coastal patrols from
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth (), often called Yarmouth, is a seaside town and unparished area in, and the main administrative centre of, the Borough of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England; it straddles the River Yare and is located east of Norwich. A pop ...
before the end of the year.
The
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...
Northern Bombing Group
The Northern Bombing Group consisted of United States Navy and United States Marine Corps squadrons conducting strategic bombing of German U-boat bases along the Belgian coast during World War I. The first United States military unit sent to Euro ...
received at least 53 DH-9As, and commenced operations in September 1918.
[Bowyer 1974, p. 29.]
Interwar RAF service
While the squadrons in service at the end of the First World War quickly disbanded or re-equipped in the postwar dis-armament, the DH.9A continued in service as the RAF's standard light bomber, with 24 squadrons being equipped between 1920 and 1931, both at home and abroad.
The first post war operations were in southern Russia during 1919, in support of the "
White Army
The White Army (russian: Белая армия, Belaya armiya) or White Guard (russian: Бѣлая гвардія/Белая гвардия, Belaya gvardiya, label=none), also referred to as the Whites or White Guardsmen (russian: Бѣлогв ...
" against the
Bolsheviks
The Bolsheviks (russian: Большевики́, from большинство́ ''bol'shinstvó'', 'majority'),; derived from ''bol'shinstvó'' (большинство́), "majority", literally meaning "one of the majority". also known in English ...
during the
Russian Civil War
, date = October Revolution, 7 November 1917 – Yakut revolt, 16 June 1923{{Efn, The main phase ended on 25 October 1922. Revolt against the Bolsheviks continued Basmachi movement, in Central Asia and Tungus Republic, the Far East th ...
. In September 1919, the RAF personnel were ordered to return home, leaving their aircraft behind.
[Bruce 1 June 1956, p.677.] A squadron of DH.9As was deployed to
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
in response to the
Chanak Crisis
The Chanak Crisis ( tr, Çanakkale Krizi), also called the Chanak Affair and the Chanak Incident, was a war scare in September 1922 between the United Kingdom and the Government of the Grand National Assembly in Turkey. ''Chanak'' refers to Ça ...
in 1922, but did not engage in combat.
[Thetford 1992, p. 193.]
The DH.9A was one of the key weapons used by Britain to manage the territories that were in its control following the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
following the Great War. Five squadrons of DH.9As served in the Middle East,
[Mason 1994, p.103.] occasionally carrying out bombing raids against rebellious tribesmen and villages. An additional radiator was fitted under the fuselage to cope with the high temperatures, while additional water containers and spares (including spare wheels lashed to the fuselage) were carried in case the aircraft were forced down in the desert, the DH.9A's struggling under ever heavier loads. Despite this the aircraft served successfully, with the Liberty engine being picked out for particular praise for its reliability ("as good as any Rolls Royce") in such harsh conditions.
[Mason 1994, p. 104.] Some DH.9A aircraft were also transported to
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
to supplement the
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, commonly referred to as the Indian Army, was the main military of the British Raj before its dissolution in 1947. It was responsible for the defence of the British Indian Empire, including the princely states, which co ...
.
At home, the DH.9A continued on in regular RAF service until 1930, also forming the initial equipment of the
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), formerly the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF), together with the Air Force Reserve, is a component of His Majesty's Reserve Air Forces (Reserve Forces Act 1996, Part 1, Para 1,(2),(c)). It provides a primary rein ...
(RAuxAF).
Soviet service
The R-1 and R-2 were heavily used by the
Soviet Air Forces
The Soviet Air Forces ( rus, Военно-воздушные силы, r=Voyenno-vozdushnyye sily, VVS; literally "Military Air Forces") were one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces. The Air Forces ...
through the 1920s as its standard light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Soviets deployed them in support of the Chinese
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang (KMT), also referred to as the Guomindang (GMD), the Nationalist Party of China (NPC) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP), is a major political party in the Republic of China, initially on the Chinese mainland and in Tai ...
forces in the
Northern Expedition
The Northern Expedition was a military campaign launched by the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) of the Kuomintang (KMT), also known as the "Chinese Nationalist Party", against the Beiyang government and other regional warlords in 1926. The ...
against warlords in 1926–27, and against Chinese forces for
control of the Chinese Eastern Railway in
Manchuria
Manchuria is an exonym (derived from the endo demonym " Manchu") for a historical and geographic region in Northeast Asia encompassing the entirety of present-day Northeast China (Inner Manchuria) and parts of the Russian Far East (Outer Manc ...
in 1929. R-1s and R-2s were also used in support of operations during the
Basmachi Revolt
The Basmachi movement (russian: Басмачество, ''Basmachestvo'', derived from Uzbek: "Basmachi" meaning "bandits") was an uprising against Russian Imperial and Soviet rule by the Muslim peoples of Central Asia.
The movement's roots l ...
in central Asia.
[Alexandrov and Petrov 1998, pp. 61–63.]
Variants
* Airco DH.9A: Original version.
* de Havilland DH.9AJ: Single prototype with
Bristol Jupiter
The Bristol Jupiter was a British nine-cylinder single-row piston radial engine built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Originally designed late in World War I and known as the Cosmos Jupiter, a lengthy series of upgrades and developments turn ...
engine.
* de Havilland DH.9R: Racing aircraft with sesquiplane wings and powered with a Napier Lion engine – (one built).
*
Airco DH.15 Gazelle: DH.9A fitted with a
BHP
BHP Group Limited (formerly known as BHP Billiton) is an Australian multinational mining, metals, natural gas petroleum public company that is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company was founded ...
Atlantic inline engine, one conversion
*
Airco DH.16: Civil transport with widened fuselage seating four passengers in a glazed cabin behind the pilot, who sat in an open cabin, nine built. Rolls Royce Eagle or Napier Lion Engine.
* de Havilland DH-49 – proposed modernised version with Eagle IX engine (not built)
* Engineering Division USD-9A: United States built version, 9 built. One modified with a pressurised cockpit.
* Engineering Division USD-9B: USD-9A fitted with more powerful Liberty engine and greater area wings.
* Armstrong Whitworth Tadpole One prototype conversion for a naval three-seat spotter/reconnaissance aircraft.
*
Westland Walrus
The Westland Walrus was a British spotter/reconnaissance aircraft built by Westland Aircraft.
Design and development
In 1919 the Royal Navy had an urgent need for a three-seat spotter/reconnaissance aircraft. To save money, the Airco DH.9A was ...
Production version of the Tadpole conversion with the Napier Lion III engine (36 built).
![R-1 ISKRA](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/R-1_ISKRA.jpg)
* Polikarpov R-1 and R-2 Copy of DH.9A built in
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
, originally at
Duks Aircraft Works, supervised by
Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov
Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov (russian: Никола́й Никола́евич Полика́рпов; – 30 July 1944) was a Soviet aeronautical engineer and aircraft designer, known as the "King of Fighters". He designed the I-15 series o ...
. Early aircraft were powered by
Mercedes D.IV
The Mercedes D.IV was an eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled inline aircraft engine built by '' Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft'' (DMG) and used on a small number of German aircraft during World War I.
Design and development
The design was based around ...
or
Armstrong Siddeley Puma
The Siddeley Puma was a British aero engine developed towards the end of World War I and produced by Siddeley-Deasy. The first engines left the production lines of Siddeley-Deasy in Coventry in August 1917, production continued until December 1 ...
engines, but most were powered by the M-5 copy of the Liberty Engine. Over 2,400 built from 1922 to 1932.
[Gunston 1995, p.286.]
* Polikarpov R-1 BMW: R-1 fitted a
BMW IV
The BMW IV was a six-cylinder, water-cooled inline aircraft engine built in Germany in the 1920s. Power was in the 180 kW (250 hp) range.
World record
On 17 June 1919 Franz Zeno Diemer flew a DFW F37, powered by a BMW IV engine t ...
a engine, 20 built.
* Polikarpov MR-1: Twin-float seaplane version, 124 built.
* Polikarpov PM-2: Prototype floatplane fitted with metal floats.
* Polikarpov R-4: R-1 with better forward view and CG position, forward profile cleaned up with fairings and a retractable ventral radiator. Stronger
landing gear
Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for takeoff or landing. For aircraft it is generally needed for both. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin ...
. No production but changes incorporated into late R-1s.
Operators
;
*
Afghan Air Force
The Air Force of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, also referred to as the Islamic Emirate Air Force and the Afghan Air Force, is the air force branch of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The Royal Afghan Air Force was e ...
– Airco DH.9As and Polikarpov R-1s
;
*
Royal Australian Air Force
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
: 30 received as an imperial gift in 1920 plus one attrition replacement purchased in 1921.
The aircraft were in service from 1920 to 1930.
[Jackson 1987, p. 110.]
**
No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF (22 aircraft: A1-1/2/5/7-11/13-21/23/24/26/29/30)
**
No. 1 Squadron RAAF
, colors=
, colors_label=
, march=
, mascot=
, battles=World War IWorld War II Malayan Emergency
, anniversaries=
, decorations=
, battle_honours= Egypt 1915–1917 Palestine 1917–1918 Malaya 1948–1960
, commander1= Richard Williams (1917 ...
(12 aircraft: A1-4/5/7/9/12/14/20-22/25/26/28)
**
No. 3 Squadron RAAF (8 aircraft: A1-3/6/8/10/24/25/27/28)
**
Central Flying School RAAF
Central Flying School (CFS) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training unit, located at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. It operates the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer. The school is responsible for training flight instructors, setting flyi ...
(4 aircraft: A1-16/17/26, E8616)
;
*
Canadian Air Force (1918-1920)
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environme ...
**
No. 2 Squadron CAF
*
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environm ...
;
*
Imperial Iranian Air Force
The history of the Iranian Air Force, currently known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, can be divided into two phases—before the Islamic Revolution, and after it.
Imperial era
The Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) was a branch ...
;
*
Latvian Air Force
Latvian Air Force ( lv, Latvijas Gaisa spēki) is the aviation branch of the National Armed Forces. The first air force (AF) units were established 1992. It has no air combat capability, thus the defense of Latvian air space is maintained by NATO ...
;
*
Mongolian People's Air Force
The Mongolian Air Force ( mn, Монгол Улсын Зэвсэгт Хүчний Агаарын цэрэг) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Mongolian Armed Forces.
History
Early years and WWII
On 25 May 1925, a Junkers F.13 pilot ...
: Polikarpov R-1s and R-2s
;
*
Portuguese Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 1 July
, equipment =
, equipment_label ...
[Niccoli 1998, p. 23.]
;
*
Swiss Air Force
The Swiss Air Force (german: Schweizer Luftwaffe; french: Forces aériennes suisses; it, Forze aeree svizzere; rm, Aviatica militara svizra) is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on 31 July 1914 as a part of the army and ...
: One aircraft only.
;
*
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
[Bowyer 1974, p. 48.]
**
No. 3 Squadron RAF
Number 3 Squadron, also known as No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron, of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, since reforming on 1 April 2006. It was first formed on 13 May 1912 as one of the first squ ...
**
No. 8 Squadron RAF
Number 8 Squadron (sometimes written as No. VIII Squadron) of the Royal Air Force last operated the E-3 Sentry, Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 (Airborne Early Warning and Control, AWACS) from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. As of 2020, the RAF AWACS fl ...
**
No. 11 Squadron RAF
**
No. 14 Squadron RAF
No. 14 Squadron of the Royal Air Force currently operates the Beechcraft Shadow R1 (a modified Beechcraft Super King Air) in the Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role from RAF Waddington.
History
Wor ...
**
No. 15 Squadron RAF
Number 15 Squadron, sometimes written as No. XV Squadron, was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It most recently operated the Panavia Tornado, Panavia Tornado GR4 from RAF Lossiemouth as No. XV (Reserve) Squadron. It was the RAF's Operational ...
**
No. 18 Squadron RAF
No. 18 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Boeing Chinook (UK variants), Boeing Chinook from RAF Odiham. Owing to its heritage as a bomber squadron, it is also known as No. 18 (B) Squadron.
History
First World War
The squadron was fo ...
**
No. 22 Squadron RAF
Number 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is an operational testing and evaluation squadron for all the Joint Helicopter Command helicopter types including Chinook, Puma HC2, Merlin HC4, Apache and Wildcat AH1. Formerly the Rotary Wing Op ...
**
No. 24 Squadron RAF
No. 24 Squadron (also known as No. XXIV Squadron) of the Royal Air Force is the Air Mobility Operational Conversion Unit (AMOCU). Based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, 24 Squadron is responsible for aircrew training on C-130J Hercules, A400 ...
**
No. 25 Squadron RAF
**
No. 30 Squadron RAF
Number 30 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft and is based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.
The squadron was first formed as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps in 1915, serving through the rest of t ...
**
No. 39 Squadron RAF
Number 39 Squadron is an inactive squadron of the Royal Air Force. It last operated the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper from Creech AFB, Nevada, between January 2007 and August 2022. It had previously operated the English Electric Canberra PR.7 ...
**
No. 45 Squadron RAF
Number 45 Squadron is a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force. The squadron, which was established on 1 March 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, currently provides flying training using Embraer Phenom T1s and operates under the command ...
**
No. 47 Squadron RAF
No. 47 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Lockheed C-130 Hercules from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, England.
History
First formation
No. 47 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed at Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire on 1 March 19 ...
**
No. 55 Squadron RAF
No. 55 Squadron Royal Air Force, commonly abbreviated 55 Sqn RAF, is a formerly active flying squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was formed on , as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). No. 55 Squadron was the last RAF squadron to op ...
**
No. 60 Squadron RAF
No. 60 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1916 at Gosport. It is currently part of No. 1 Flying Training School RAF, No. 1 Flying Training School based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire flying the Eurocopter EC135, Airbus H135 Juno HT1.
...
**
No. 84 Squadron RAF
No. 84 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is at present a Search and Rescue Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri, using the Bell Griffin HAR.2 helicopter. It is currently one of the two operational parts of the RAF Search and Rescue Force left in serv ...
**
No. 99 Squadron RAF
Number 99 Squadron is a squadron (aviation), squadron of the Royal Air Force which operates the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic/tactical transport aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.
The squadron conducts global deployments on behalf of the B ...
**
No. 100 Squadron RAF
Number 100 Squadron is a former Royal Air Force squadron. It last operated the British Aerospace Hawk T1, providing 'aggressor' aircraft for air combat training from RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, UK.
History
First World War
No. 100 was est ...
**
No. 110 Squadron RAF
No. 110 Squadron RAF was a unit of the British Royal Air Force, initially formed as a bomber squadron during the First World War. Re-formed during the Second World War, again as a bomber squadron, it was re-formed twice more post-war, firstly as ...
**
No. 205 Squadron RAF
No. 205 Squadron was a Royal Air Force unit formed on 1 April 1918. Prior to this it had existed as No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). In 1929, it became the first RAF squadron to be permanently based in Singapore, taking as i ...
**
No. 207 Squadron RAF
("Always prepared")Halley 1988, p. 268.
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, equipment = Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning
, equipment_label = Aircraft
, battles =
, anniversaries =
, decorations =
, battle_honours = ...
**
No. 207 Squadron RAF
("Always prepared")Halley 1988, p. 268.
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, equipment = Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning
, equipment_label = Aircraft
, battles =
, anniversaries =
, decorations =
, battle_honours = ...
**
No. 221 Squadron RAF
**
No. 273 Squadron RAF
No. 273 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron formed as reconnaissance unit in World War I, and re-formed in World War II in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) - initially as a torpedo bomber and reconnaissance unit. In mid 1944 the squadron was re-equippe ...
**
No. 501 Squadron RAF
("Fear nothing")
, colors =
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, battle_honours = France & Low Countries, 1940 Battle of Britain, 1940 Home Defen ...
**
No. 600 Squadron RAF
No. 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force is a squadron of the RAF Reserves. It was formed in 1925 and operated as a night fighter squadron during the Second World War with great distinction. After the war, 600 Squadron went on t ...
**
No. 601 Squadron RAF
Number 601 (County of London) Squadron is a squadron of the RAF Reserves, based in London. The squadron took part in the Battle of Britain, during which the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of the squadron.
Reactivated in 2017 ...
**
No. 602 Squadron RAF
**
No. 603 Squadron RAF
**
No. 604 Squadron RAF
No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force noted for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bomber squadron of the Royal ...
**
No. 605 Squadron RAF
No. 605 Squadron was formed as an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron. Initially formed as a bomber unit, it was one of the most successful participants of the Battle of Britain. It also had the distinction of being active during the Second World War at ...
;
*
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
*
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...
;
*
Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Forces ( rus, Военно-воздушные силы, r=Voyenno-vozdushnyye sily, VVS; literally "Military Air Forces") were one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces. The Air Forces ...
: Polikarpov R-1s and R-2s
Surviving aircraft
![DH9A at RAF Museum London Flickr 4606882763](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/DH9A_at_RAF_Museum_London_Flickr_4606882763.jpg)
A single example, serial number ''F1010'', survives and is on display at the
Royal Air Force Museum London
The Royal Air Force Museum London (also commonly known as the RAF Museum) is located on the former Hendon Aerodrome. It includes five buildings and hangars showing the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force. It is part of the Royal Air Forc ...
. The aircraft was completed by
Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil, Somerset. Formed as a separate company by separation from Petters Limited just before the start of the Second World War, Westland had been building aircraft since 1915. Du ...
in June 1918 and was one of 18 DH.9A's assigned to
No. 110 Squadron RAF
No. 110 Squadron RAF was a unit of the British Royal Air Force, initially formed as a bomber squadron during the First World War. Re-formed during the Second World War, again as a bomber squadron, it was re-formed twice more post-war, firstly as ...
. It was the thirteenth aircraft, but was given the number "12A" because thirteen was
thought unlucky. The squadron began flying bombing missions in September 1918, and on the 25th, the crew of ''F1010'' claimed the destruction of a German
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the second half of 1918. In service with the ''Luftstreitkräfte'', the D.VII qu ...
fighter. The aircraft's fourth and final combat mission was on 5 October when either flak damage or engine trouble forced a landing behind German lines. The aircraft was undamaged by the landing and the crew were taken prisoner.
The aircraft remained in German hands after the war and in 1936 it was put on display at the ''Deutsche Luftfahrt Sammlung'' (Berlin Air Museum), one of the museum's substantial collection of World War 1 aircraft. In 1943, it was one of the museum's exhibits that was moved to Czarnikau (now
Czarnkow in Poland) to save them from the
Allied bombing of Berlin. The area was captured by Polish forces in March 1945 and ''F1010'' eventually became part of the collection of the
Polish Aviation Museum
The Polish Aviation Museum ( pl, Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego w Krakowie) is a large museum of historic aircraft and aircraft engines in Kraków, Poland. It is located at the site of the no-longer functional Kraków-Rakowice-Czyżyny Air ...
, although it was not put on display and remained in the museum's stores. In 1977, the Polish Aviation Museum exchanged ''F1010'' for a
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, from the Mk 1 to the Rolls-Royce Grif ...
from the RAF Museum (difficulties caused by the
Cold War
The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...
meant nearly nine years were spent negotiating the swap). The RAF Museum completed restoration of the aircraft and put it on display in 1983.
Specifications (DH.9A)
See also
Notes
Bibliography
* Alexandrov, Andrei and Gennady Petrov. "Aah! De Havilland-Ski!: Origins and Development of the R-1, the Soviet DH.9A". ''
Air Enthusiast
''Air Enthusiast'' was a British, bi-monthly, aviation magazine, published by the Key Publishing group. Initially begun in 1974 as ''Air Enthusiast Quarterly'', the magazine was conceived as a historical adjunct to '' Air International'' maga ...
'', No. 74, March/April 1998. pp. 54–63. .
* Bowyer, Chaz. "de Havilland D.H.9A (RAF: 1918–30)". ''Aircraft in Profile, Volume 14''. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1974, pp. 25–49. .
* Bruce, J.M.
The De Havilland D.H.9A: Historic Military Aircraft No.13, Part I. ''
Flight
Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be a ...
'', 25 May 1956, pp. 641–644.
* Bruce, J.M.
The De Havilland D.H.9A: Historic Military Aircraft No.13, Part II. ''
Flight
Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be a ...
'', 1 June 1956, pp. 677–680.
* Cornelisse, Diana G. ''Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose: Developing Air Power for the United States Air Force During the First Century of Powered Flight''. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: US Air Force Publications, 2002. .
* Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. .
* Gunston, Bill. ''The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875–1995''. London: Osprey Aerospace, 1995. .
* Jackson, A.J. ''De Havilland Aircraft since 1909''. London: Putnam, Third edition, 1987. .
*
* Mason, Francis K. ''The British Bomber since 1914''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. .
* Niccoli, Riccardo. "Atlantic Sentinels: The Portuguese Air Force Since 1912". ''
Air Enthusiast
''Air Enthusiast'' was a British, bi-monthly, aviation magazine, published by the Key Publishing group. Initially begun in 1974 as ''Air Enthusiast Quarterly'', the magazine was conceived as a historical adjunct to '' Air International'' maga ...
'', No. 73, January/February 1998. pp 20–35.
*Sims, Charles. "Talkback". ''
Air Enthusiast
''Air Enthusiast'' was a British, bi-monthly, aviation magazine, published by the Key Publishing group. Initially begun in 1974 as ''Air Enthusiast Quarterly'', the magazine was conceived as a historical adjunct to '' Air International'' maga ...
''. No. 13, August–November 1980. p. 79.
* Thetford, Owen. "By Day and By Night: Part 3". ''Aeroplane Monthly'', Vol. 20, No. 8, Issue No. 232, August 1992, pp. 16–22. London: IPC. ISSN 0143-7240.
* Williams, George K. ''Biplanes and Bombsights: British Bombing in World War I''. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University Press, 1999. .
External links
1918 silent film of DH.9As being manufactured in the US
{{DEFAULTSORT:Airco DH.009A
DH.009A
1910s British bomber aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Biplanes
Polikarpov aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1918