de Havilland DH.51

Following the DH.37 two seat tourer of 1922, de Havilland`s next development aimed at the privately owned aircraft market was the DH.51.

Designed as a three seat biplane, the airframe and wings were of wooden construction with fabric covering over the majority of surfaces. Provision was made for a fuselage fairing to permit luggage being stowed in lieu of a third passenger.

The DH.51 was first flown by Geoffrey de Havilland in 1924 and handled very well. However, as the engine did not have the dual ignition system required for civil use, a Certificate of Airworthiness was refused. Consequently, the aircraft was fitted with a 120hp ADC engine which provided improved overall performance although it took the aircraft outside of the intended economic operating limits.

About this aircraft

This aircraft was air-freighted from Nairobi to Hatfield in 1965, and was later fully restored by Hawker Siddeley Aviation at Hawarden near Chester.

It was flown to Old Warden in 1972 and placed in the permanent care of the Shuttleworth Collection where it continues as the oldest de Havilland design still flying anywhere in the world.

In 2011 the aeroplane was repainted for filming purposes to represent a DH.9 operated by Aircraft Transport and Travel and subsequently appeared in several television productions.

Specification