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   de Havilland    DH 95 Flamingo 
 

History

The DH 95 Flamingo was a twin engined 17-passenger high-wing monoplane airliner. The first prototype was flown by de Havilland's chief test pilot, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. on 23 December, 1938. In May 1939 the prototype was delivered to Guernsey & Jersey Airways Ltd for flight and routing tests. The outbreak of war eliminated the use of these passenger transports commercially. Military services ordered and used the type throughout the war.

The De Havilland Flamingo is the most recent quantity product of this company, and sets new standards of performance for medium-sized air liners. Accommodating between twelve and twenty passengers according to the type of route operated, it has a cruising speed of 210 m.p.h.  Two Bristol sleeve-valve motors of 890 h.p. drive constant-pitch air-screws.  The machine is very comfortable, giving an excellent view for the passengers.  A special version of the Flamingo is shortly to be provided for the private use of H.M. the King.

The de Havilland D.H.-95 Flamingo Only 16 were built. 11 aircraft built for military use, after an order for 30 was cancelled. The last of the type was scrapped in 1950.

The Fleet Air Arm possessed a total of 2 impressed Flamingoes, one was delivered firstly to the RAF then to sent to the RN for conversion. The first aircraft BT312 was impressed and delivered to the RN at Hatfield in May 1940. It was named "Merlin VI", delivered to 782 squadron at RNAS Donibristle on 30 November 1940. R2766 was also delivered to 782 squadron at Donibristle, on 14 March 1945 but was quickly used as spares for BT312 in May 1945. The aircraft BT312 was the last of the type to see service with the FAA returned to the civil register as G-AFYH in 1946.

Fleet Air Arm history
 

De Havilland Flamingo
Total FAA 1939-1945:           2 (BT312, R2766)
First delivered to RN:            1940
First squadron 1939-1945:      782 5.1940
Last served with RN              1946
Aircraft Type:
 de Havilland D.H.95 Flamingo
Mark:
 Mk I
Primary Role:
 Transport
First Flight: 
 23 Dec 1938
Date operating with FAA squadrons:
 7 September 1940
1940-1946
Manufacturer:
 de Havilland
Engine:
 Two 930hp Bristol Perseus XVI radial piston engines
 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: 
 Wingspan 21.34m
 Length 15.72m
 Height 4.65m 
Wing Area: 60.48 sq m
Empty Weight: Max.Weight:
 Empty Weight 5137kg
Speed: 

Ceiling: 

Range:

 Speed 391 kmph; 
Cruise 328 kmph
Service Ceiling 6370m
Range165 km
Armament: 
 None
Crew:
 2-3 crew
17 passengers
Squadrons:
 782
Battle honours:
 None with the FAA
Additional references and notes:
 -

Battle Honours and Operational History
None with the FAA

Surviving aircraft and relics
Extint - Last of the type was scrapped in 1950.
Associations and reunions
FURTHER INFORMATION
  
The story of the de Havilland DH 95 Flamingo by Chris CT Young Here you will find some details of the forgotten de Havilland airliner, the DH95 Flamingo. First Page of the story of the DH95. Specification of the DH95. Registration and serials cross-reference for the DH95. Registration and serials details table for each DH95 airframe. Bibliography and further reading.

See also his FLEET AIR ARM MEMORIES website about the photograph collection of the late C.S.Snoxell.
De Havilland  type-by-type listing
Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7 
Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000
 

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