De Havilland DH93 Don

 

The De Havilland Aircraft Company DH93 Don was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification T.6/36, which called for a side-by-side Advanced Trainer, suitable for pilot, radio operator and gunnery training.

 

It was a clean, low-wing monoplane with a retractable undercarriage and it initially appeared with a turret to the rear of the cockpit area. The first prototype DH93 Don (E.3 - later L2387) flew for the first time on 18th June 1937.

 

The fuselage was of stressed skin ply covering and the type featured a particularly clean installation of its 525 hp DH Gipsy King engine.

 

 

In practice, the official requirement for the gunnery role was dropped and the majority were built as communications aircraft with a raised and faired rear fuselage.

 

Subsequently the initial order for 250 aircraft was substantially reduced to just 50 which was a major disappointment for De Havilland. 20 aircraft were delivered 'engine-less' as ground trainers whilst the remainder served as Communications and Liaison aircraft serving predominantly with 24 Sqn RAF and with various Station Flights.

 

By March 1939, the Don had been withdrawn from operational service.

Powerplant	One 525 hp DH Gipsy King 1
Span	47 ft 6 in
Maximum Weight	6,530 lb
Capacity & Armament	Two pilots, gunner and radio operator trainee, or four passengers in communications role.
Maximum Speed	189 mph
Endurance	Max range 890 miles

50	20 of these delivered to store without engines
Survivors	Nil