When the DH-2 and FE-8 pusher aircraft were still in widespread use, this design was an attempt to provide a combat aircraft with the performance of a 'tractor' aircraft, but with the better forward field of vision common to the older 'pusher' types. Designed to replace the Airco
DH-2, this was the first of the de Havilland designs to include a Constantinesco interupter mechanism to allow a forwardfiring machine gun to fire through the propellor arc. Unfortunately the 110hp LeRhone rotary engine did not provide the aircraft with sufficient power to perform well at high altitudes, and the aircraft had a top speed of 160 km/h, with a ceiling of 4900m. However, the robustness of the
aircraft, and the pilots field of view made the aircraft particularly suited to ground attack duties, although the single Vickers .303 gun on the cowl did mean the aircraft was somewhat under-armed for operations in
1917.
In August 1917, DH-5's of No 41Squadron greatly assisted an
infantry attack near Boiry Notre Dame, by strafing enemy trenches and machine gun emplacements.The DH-5 was effectively replaced by the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a in January 1918, after which it was relegated for use as an advanced trainer for a short period before becoming competely obsolete.
De Havilland DH-5 for FS2004 but FSX compatible.Fully animated Model including the rotary engine Comes with 3 texture sets.
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