The United States possessed no combat-worthy aircraft upon entry into World War I in 1917. Several European aircraft were considered. The British DH-4 was selected because of its comparatively simple construction and its apparent adaptability to mass production. It was also well-suited to the new American 400-horsepower Liberty V-12 engine. American-built DH-4s were dubbed the "Liberty Plane." By war's end, 13 Army Air Service squadrons, five of them bomber squadrons, were equipped with them. In addition, four combined Navy-Marine squadrons were flying DH-4s along the Belgian coast. Of the 4,346 DH-4s built in the United States, 1,213 were delivered to France, but of those only 696 reached the Zone of Advance. In the postwar period, the DH-4 was the principal aircraft used by the U.S. Government when air mail service began in 1918.

The DH-4 in the NASM collection was the prototype American-built DH-4, manufactured by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. This airplane was used in more than 2,600 experiments until its retirement in April 1919. On May 13, 1918, Orville Wright made his last flight as a pilot in a 1911 Wright Model B alongside this DH-4, flown by Howard Max Rinehart. He then made a flight as a passenger in the DH-4 with Rinehart.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Key Accomplishment(s)

First Combat Aircraft Mass Produced in the U.S.

Brief Description

The United States had no combat-worthy aircraft upon entry into World War I in 1917. The British DH-4 was selected because of its comparatively simple construction and adaptability to mass production. Over 4,300 were manufactured.

Date

1917-1918

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

CRAFT-Aircraft

Manufacturer

Dayton-Wright Airplane Co.

Physical Description

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.

Dimensions

Wingspan: 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in)
Length: 9.3 m (30 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Weight: Empty, 1,087 kg (2,391 lb)
Gross, 1,953 kg (4,297 lb)

Materials

Airframe: Wood
Covering: Fabric
Steel

Alternate Name

De Havilland DH-4

Inventory Number

A19190051000

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. War Department, Bureau of Aircraft Production

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.

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