Airco DH.2: Difference between revisions

Airco DH.2
Role	Fighter
Manufacturer	Airco
Designer	Geoffrey de Havilland
First flight	July 1915
Primary user	Royal Flying Corps
Number built	453
Developed from	Airco DH.1

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The Airco DH.2 was a single-seat biplane "pusher" aircraft which operated as a fighter during the First World War. It was the second pusher design by aeronautical engineer Geoffrey de Havilland for Airco, based on his earlier DH.1 two-seater.

Introduced to frontline service in February 2016, the DH.2 became the first effectively armed British single-seat fighter. Its availability enabled Royal Flying Corps (RFC) pilots to counter the "Fokker Scourge" that had given the Germans the advantage in the skies during late 1915. Until the British developed a synchronisation gear to match the German system, pushers such as the DH.2 and the F.E.2b carried the burden of fighting and escort duties. Numerous pilots became flying aces using the type. It became outclassed by newer German fighters, contributing to the DH.2's withdrawal from first line service in France after RFC units were completely re-equipped with newer fighters, including the Airco DH.5, during June 1917.

Development

By the outbreak of the First World War, aeronautical engineer Geoffrey de Havilland was already an experienced aircraft designer, being responsible for producing designs such as the experimental Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.1 and Blériot Scout B.S.1, the latter becoming the fastest British aircraft of its day.^[1] In June 1914, de Havilland left the Royal Aircraft Factory for the private venture Airco, where he commenced work upon his own designs once more, the first being the Airco DH.1, which used a similar design formula to that of the earlier B.S.1. It was only the first of many designs that de Havilland would produce.^[1]

Early air combat over the Western Front indicated the need for a single-seat fighter with forward-firing armament. At this point in time, there was no dominant approach to applying armaments to fighters, but a pusher configuration was an obvious answer to facilitating forward-firing guns.^[2] As no means of firing forward through the propeller of a tractor aeroplane was available to the British, Geoffrey de Havilland designed the DH.2 as a smaller, single-seat development of the earlier two-seat DH.1 pusher design. Aviation author J.M Bruce speculated that, had adequate synchronisation gear been developed by early 1915, de Havilland would have been far less likely to pursue a pusher configuration.^[1]

While it is popularly viewed as a response to the emergence of Germany's Fokker Eindecker monoplane fighters, its development was no specifically targeted at the type, having been commenced prior to the Eindecker's arrival.^[3] During July 1915, the first prototype DH.2 performed its maiden flight.^[4] Following the completion of its manufacturing trials, on 26 July 1915, the prototype was dispatched to France for operational evaluation flights.^[3] This prototype was lost over the Western Front and was captured by the Germans.^[5]

Despite the prototype's premature loss, the DH.2 was ordered into quantity manufacture.^[6] The production aircraft was substantially similar to the prototype, the only major alterations being a refined fuel system and a revised gun mounting arrangement. Deliveries of the DH.2 commenced during the latter half of 1915; a handful of aircraft were reportedly operating in France prior to the year's end.^[7] A total of 453 DH.2s were produced by Airco.^[8]

Design

The Airco DH.2 was a compact two-bay tractor biplane fighter aircraft.^[3] It had a wooden airframe, which was wire-braced and covered by fabric across most areas, except for the nacelle nose and upper decking. Both the upper and lower wings had ailerons fitted; the upper ailerons were spring-loaded to automatically return them to a neutral position when the controls were centred.^[3] The upper part of the nacelle was cut away so that a machine gun could be positioned there.^[3] An unusual feature of the aircraft was the mounting of the windshield upon this machine gun.^[9]

The DH.2 was armed with a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun; this gun was originally able to be positioned on one of three flexible mountings in the cockpit, with the pilot transferring the gun between mountings in flight at the same time as flying the aircraft. Once pilots learned that the best method of achieving a kill was to aim the aircraft rather than the gun, the machine gun was fixed in the forward-facing centre mount, although this was initially banned by higher authorities until a clip which fixed the gun in place, but could be released if required, was approved.^[10] A clip was devised by Major Lanoe Hawker, who also improved the gunsights and added a ring sight and an "aiming off model" that helped the gunner allow for leading a target.^[11]

The majority of DH.2s were powered by the 100 hp (75 kW) Gnôme Monosoupape rotary engine; however, later models received the 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône 9J engine instead.^[12]^[13] Other sources advise the Gnôme Monosoupape, nine-cylinder, air-cooled rotary, 100 hp (75 kW) engine was retained in the DH.2 design despite its tendency for shedding cylinders in midair; it is known that a single DH.2 was fitted experimentally with a 110 hp (82 kW) le Rhône 9J powerplant.^[14] In addition to the variety of engines used, the fuel system also differed between individual aircraft; typically, a gravity-fed fuel tank was incorporated, but its location varied between being mounted upon the central section, as well as either above or below the port upper mainplane.^[9]

Operational service

After evaluation at Hendon on 22 June 1915, the first DH.2 arrived in France for operational trials with No. 5 RFC Squadron but was shot down and its pilot killed during early August 1915;^[5] reportedly, this aircraft was recovered and repaired by the Germans.^[8] No. 24 Squadron RFC, the first squadron equipped with the DH.2 and the first complete squadron entirely equipped with single-seat fighters in the RFC, arrived in France during early February 1916.^[15]^[9]

The DH.2 ultimately equipped seven fighter squadrons on the Western Front^[16] and quickly proved more than a match for the Fokker Eindecker; it is believed that the first loss of an Eindecker to a DH.2 occurred on 2 April 1916.^[17] Numerous DH.2s were also heavily engaged during the Battle of the Somme, No. 24 Squadron alone engaging in 774 combats and destroying 44 enemy machines.^[15]^[18] The DH.2 had sensitive controls and, at a time when service training for pilots in the RFC was very poor, it initially had a high accident rate, gaining the nickname "The Spinning Incinerator",^[19]^[20] but as familiarity with the type increased, it was recognised as very manoeverable and relatively easy to fly.^[21] The rear-mounted rotary engine made the DH.2 easy to stall, but also made it highly maneuverable.^[11]

One shortcoming found in its use as a fighter was the relatively limited ammunition of its original gun arrangement.^[22] Although officially discouraged, pilots often experimented with different gun arrangements, including a fixed twin-gun configuration; furthermore, the original gun mounting was often criticised for being too loose and unstable; it also obstructed the stick when elevated. Some authors have claimed that DH.2s were routinely flown with fixed-position guns.^[17]

The arrival at the front of more powerful German tractor biplane fighters such as the Halberstadt D.II and the Albatros D.I, which appeared in September 1916, meant that the DH.2 was outclassed in turn.^[23] It remained in first line service in France, however, until No. 24 and No. 32 Squadron RFC completed re-equipment with Airco DH.5s in June 1917, and a few remained in service on the Macedonian front, "A" Flight of No. 47 Squadron and a joint R.F.C. / R.N.A.S. fighter squadron,^[24] and X" Flight,^[24] in Palestine until late autumn of that year. By this time, the type was totally obsolete as a fighter, although the DH.2 was used as an advanced trainer as late as 1918. The last recorded use of the DH.2, an experimental flight performed on behalf of the Royal Aircraft Factory, occurred on 20 March 1918.^[25] The DH.2 was progressively retired from all purposes; following the conflict's end, no surviving airframes were retained.

Ace pilots

Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker (seven victories, though none in the DH.2), who was the first commander of No. 24 Squadron and Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single-handedly attacking a formation of ten German two-seaters on 1 July 1916, destroying two.^[16]^[26] James McCudden became an ace in DH.2s to start his career as the British Empire's fourth-ranking ace of the war.^[27] German ace and tactician Oswald Boelcke was killed during a dogfight with No. 24 Squadron DH.2s due to a collision with one of his own wingmen, Erwin Böhme. Fourteen aces scored five or more aerial victories using the DH.2; many went on to further success in later types also. Eight pilots scored all of their victories flying solely the type: Harry Wood, Sidney Cowan, Hubert Jones, William Curphey, Maximillian Mare-Montembault, Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne, Eric Pashley and Selden Long.

Lanoe George Hawker V.C., D.S.O., commanding officer of No. 24 Squadron flying a DH. 2 was shot down by Manfred von Richthofen of Jasta 2 flying an Albatros D.II.^[28]

**DH.2 Aces**^[27]
Pilot	victories
Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne	10
Alan Wilkinson	10
Selden Long	9
Arthur Gerald Knight	8
Eric C. Pashley	8
John Oliver Andrews	7
Sidney Cowan	7
Hubert Jones	7
William Curphey	6
Stanley Cockerell	5
Henry Evans	5
James McCudden	5
Robert Saundby	5
Harry Wood	5

Reproductions

No original DH.2s are known to exist. In 1970, Walter M. Redfern from Seattle, Washington built a replica DH.2 called the Redfern DH-2, powered by a Kinner 125-150 hp engine. Redfern subsequently sold plans to home builders, and a number of these replicas are still flying worldwide.^[29] Redfern's original replica is now on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, New Zealand.

Operators

United Kingdom

Royal Flying Corps

Specifications (DH.2)

Data from Warplanes of the First World War - Fighters Volume One,^[30] Aircraft Profile No. 91: The de Havilland D.H.2^[31]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 25 ft 2+1⁄2 in (7.684 m)
Wingspan: 28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)
Height: 9 ft 6+1⁄2 in (2.908 m)
Wing area: 249 sq ft (23.1 m²)
Empty weight: 943 lb (428 kg)
Gross weight: 1,441 lb (654 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Gnôme Monosoupape 9-cylinder rotary engine, 100 hp (75 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 93 mph (150 km/h, 81 kn)
Endurance: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
Time to altitude: 24 minutes, 45 seconds to 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

Armament

Guns: One × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun

References

Citations

^ ^a ^b ^c Bruce 1966, p. 3.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 3-4.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bruce 1966, p. 4.
^ Mason 1992, p. 42.
^ ^a ^b Bruce 1966, pp. 4-5.
^ Bruce 1966, p. 5.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 5-6.
^ ^a ^b Airco DH-2 Archived 12 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b ^c Bruce 1966, p. 6.
^ Goulding 1986, p. 11.
^ ^a ^b Guttman 2009, p. 31
^ Sharpe 2000, p. 20.
^ Bruce 1966, p. 8.
^ Munson 1968, p. 99.
^ ^a ^b Mason 1992, p. 41.
^ ^a ^b Jackson 1987, p. 48.
^ ^a ^b Bruce 1966, p. 7.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 7-8.
^ Raleigh 1922, pp. 427–428.
^ Funderburk 1962, p. 83.
^ Cheesman 1960, p. 40.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 6-7.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 9-10.
^ ^a ^b Munson 1968, p. 99.
^ Bruce 1966, p. 10.
^ Bruce 1966, pp. 8-9.
^ ^a ^b Guttman 2009, p. 91.
^ Bruce 1966, p. 9.
^ "Redfern DH-2." Archived 7 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine aircraftworlddirectory.com. Retrieved: 10 January 2010.
^ Bruce 1965, p. 128.
^ Bruce 1966, p. 12.

Bibliography

Bruce, J.M. Warplanes of the First World War - Fighters Volume One. London: MacDonald & Co., 1965.
Bruce, J.M. Aircraft Profile No. 91: The de Havilland D.H.2. Profile Publications Ltd, 1966.
Cheesman, E.F., ed. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Herts, UK: Harleyford, 1960.
Funderburk, Thomas R. The Fighters: The Men and Machines of the First Air War. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1962.
Goulding, James. Interceptor: RAF Single Seat Multi-Gun Fighters. London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1986. ISBN 0-7110-1583-X.
Guttman, Jon. Pusher Aces of World War 1. Jon Guttman. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1-84603-417-5, ISBN 978-1-84603-417-6.
Jackson, A.J. De Havilland Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, Third edition, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-802-X.
Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
Miller, James F. "DH 2 vs Albatros D I/D II - Western Front 1916 (Osprey Duel ; 42)". Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84908-704-9.
Munson, Kenneth. Fighters Attack and Training Aircraft 1914-1919. New York: Macmillan, 1968.
Raleigh, Walter. The War In The Air: Being the Story of the part played in the Great War by the Royal Air Force, Vol I. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press, First edition 1922, 2002 (reprint). ISBN 978-1-84342-412-3.
Sharpe, Michael. Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes. London: Friedman/Fairfax Books, 2000. ISBN 1-58663-300-7.

External links

Airco D.H.2 at theaerodrome.com

[bruce_3-1] Bruce 1966, p. 3.

[bruce_34-2] Bruce 1966, pp. 3-4.

[bruce_4-3] Bruce 1966, p. 4.

[mason_fighter_p42-4] Mason 1992, p. 42.

[bruce_45-5] Bruce 1966, pp. 4-5.

[bruce_5-6] Bruce 1966, p. 5.

[bruce_56-7] Bruce 1966, pp. 5-6.

[Airco_DH-2-8] Airco DH-2 Archived 12 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine

[bruce_6-9] Bruce 1966, p. 6.

[Goulding-10] Goulding 1986, p. 11.

[Guttmann-11] Guttman 2009, p. 31

[12] Sharpe 2000, p. 20.

[bruce_8-13] Bruce 1966, p. 8.

[14] Munson 1968, p. 99.

[mason_fighter_p41-15] Mason 1992, p. 41.

[Jackson_DH_p48-16] Jackson 1987, p. 48.

[bruce_7-17] Bruce 1966, p. 7.

[bruce_78-18] Bruce 1966, pp. 7-8.

[Raleigh_v1_p427-8-19] Raleigh 1922, pp. 427–428.

[20] Funderburk 1962, p. 83.

[21] Cheesman 1960, p. 40.

[bruce_67-22] Bruce 1966, pp. 6-7.

[bruce_910-23] Bruce 1966, pp. 9-10.

[Munson,_p._99-24] Munson 1968, p. 99.

[bruce_10-25] Bruce 1966, p. 10.

[bruce_89-26] Bruce 1966, pp. 8-9.

[Guttman_2009,_p._91-27] Guttman 2009, p. 91.

[bruce_9-28] Bruce 1966, p. 9.

[29] "Redfern DH-2." Archived 7 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine aircraftworlddirectory.com. Retrieved: 10 January 2010.

[brucev1-30] Bruce 1965, p. 128.

[bruce_12-31] Bruce 1966, p. 12.

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@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ==Design==
 [[File:Airco De Havilland DH 2 (8337534520).jpg|thumb|Rear view of a reproduction DH.2]]
-The Airco DH.2 was a compact two-bay tractor biplane fighter aircraft.<ref name = "bruce 4"/> It had a wooden airframe, which was wire-braced and covered by [[fabric]] across most areas, except for the nacelle nose and upper decking. Both the upper and lower wings had [[aileron]]s fitted; the upper ailerons were spring-loaded to automatically return them to a neutral position when the controls were centred.<ref name = "bruce 4"/> The upper part of the nacelle was cut away so that a machine gun could be positioned there.<ref name = "bruce 4"/>
+The Airco DH.2 was a compact two-bay tractor biplane fighter aircraft.<ref name = "bruce 4"/> It had a wooden airframe, which was wire-braced and covered by [[fabric]] across most areas, except for the nacelle nose and upper decking. Both the upper and lower wings had [[aileron]]s fitted; the upper ailerons were spring-loaded to automatically return them to a neutral position when the controls were centred.<ref name = "bruce 4"/> The upper part of the nacelle was cut away so that a machine gun could be positioned there.<ref name = "bruce 4"/> An unusual feature of the aircraft was the mounting of the [[windshield]] upon this machine gun.<ref name = "bruce 6">Bruce 1966, p. 6.</ref>
 The DH.2 was armed with a single [[.303 British|.303&nbsp;in (7.7&nbsp;mm)]] [[Lewis gun]]; this gun was originally able to be positioned on one of three flexible mountings in the cockpit, with the pilot transferring the gun between mountings in flight at the same time as flying the aircraft. Once pilots learned that the best method of achieving a kill was to aim the aircraft rather than the gun, the machine gun was fixed in the forward-facing centre mount, although this was initially banned by higher authorities until a clip which fixed the gun in place, but could be released if required, was approved.<ref name="Goulding">Goulding 1986, p. 11.</ref> A clip was devised by Major [[Lanoe Hawker]], who also improved the gunsights and added a ring sight and an "aiming off model" that helped the gunner allow for [[Deflection (ballistics)|leading]] a target.<ref name="Guttmann">Guttman 2009, p. 31</ref>
-The majority of DH.2s were powered by the 100&nbsp;hp (75&nbsp;kW) [[Gnôme Monosoupape]] [[rotary engine]]; however, later models received the 110&nbsp;hp (82&nbsp;kW) [[Le Rhône 9J]] engine instead.<ref>Sharpe 2000, p. 20.</ref> Other sources advise the [[Gnôme Monosoupape]], nine-cylinder, air-cooled rotary, {{convert|100|hp|kW|abbr=on}} engine was retained in the DH.2 design despite its tendency for shedding cylinders in midair; it is known that a single DH.2 was fitted experimentally with a {{convert|110|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[le Rhône 9J]] powerplant.<ref>Munson 1968, p. 99.</ref>
+The majority of DH.2s were powered by the 100&nbsp;hp (75&nbsp;kW) [[Gnôme Monosoupape]] [[rotary engine]]; however, later models received the 110&nbsp;hp (82&nbsp;kW) [[Le Rhône 9J]] engine instead.<ref>Sharpe 2000, p. 20.</ref><ref name = "bruce 8">Bruce 1966, p. 8.</ref> Other sources advise the [[Gnôme Monosoupape]], nine-cylinder, air-cooled rotary, {{convert|100|hp|kW|abbr=on}} engine was retained in the DH.2 design despite its tendency for shedding cylinders in midair; it is known that a single DH.2 was fitted experimentally with a {{convert|110|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[le Rhône 9J]] powerplant.<ref>Munson 1968, p. 99.</ref> In addition to the variety of engines used, the fuel system also differed between individual aircraft; typically, a gravity-fed fuel tank was incorporated, but its location varied between being mounted upon the central section, as well as either above or below the port upper mainplane.<ref name = "bruce 6"/>
 ==Operational service==
 [[File:Airco DH2 2.jpg|thumb|Early DH.2 taking off from airfield at Beauvel, France]]
 [[File:The Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, 1914-1918 Q11874.jpg|thumb|Personnel of the [[No. 32 Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron RFC]], in front of a DH.2 at Beauval, 1916]]
-After evaluation at [[Hendon Aerodrome|Hendon]] on 22 June 1915, the first DH.2 arrived in [[France]] for operational trials with [[No. 5 Squadron RAF|No. 5 RFC Squadron]] but was shot down and its pilot killed during early August 1915;<ref name = "bruce 45">Bruce 1966, pp. 4-5.</ref> reportedly, this aircraft was recovered and repaired by the Germans.<ref name= "Airco DH-2"/> [[No. 24 Squadron RAF|No. 24 Squadron RFC]], the first [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]] equipped with the DH.2 and the first complete squadron entirely equipped with single-seat fighters in the RFC, arrived in France during February 1916.<ref name="mason fighter p41">Mason 1992, p. 41.</ref>
+After evaluation at [[Hendon Aerodrome|Hendon]] on 22 June 1915, the first DH.2 arrived in [[France]] for operational trials with [[No. 5 Squadron RAF|No. 5 RFC Squadron]] but was shot down and its pilot killed during early August 1915;<ref name = "bruce 45">Bruce 1966, pp. 4-5.</ref> reportedly, this aircraft was recovered and repaired by the Germans.<ref name= "Airco DH-2"/> [[No. 24 Squadron RAF|No. 24 Squadron RFC]], the first [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]] equipped with the DH.2 and the first complete squadron entirely equipped with single-seat fighters in the RFC, arrived in France during early February 1916.<ref name="mason fighter p41">Mason 1992, p. 41.</ref><ref name = "bruce 6"/>
-The DH.2 ultimately equipped seven fighter squadrons on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]<ref name="Jackson DH p48"/> and quickly proved more than a match for the [[Fokker Eindecker]]. DH.2s were also heavily engaged during the [[Battle of the Somme]], No. 24 Squadron alone engaging in 774 combats and destroying 44 enemy machines.<ref name="mason fighter p41"/> The DH.2 had sensitive controls and at a time when service training for pilots in the RFC was very poor it initially had a high accident rate, gaining the nickname "The Spinning Incinerator",<ref name="Raleigh v1 p427-8">Raleigh 1922, pp. 427–428.</ref><ref>Funderburk 1962, p.  83.</ref> but as familiarity with the type increased, it was recognised as very manoeverable and relatively easy to fly.<ref>Cheesman 1960, p. 40.</ref> The rear-mounted rotary engine made the DH.2 easy to [[Stall (fluid mechanics)|stall]], but also made it highly maneuverable.<ref name="Guttmann"/>
+The DH.2 ultimately equipped seven fighter squadrons on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]<ref name="Jackson DH p48"/> and quickly proved more than a match for the [[Fokker Eindecker]]; it is believed that the first loss of an Eindecker to a DH.2 occurred on 2 April 1916.<ref name = "bruce 7"/> Numerous DH.2s were also heavily engaged during the [[Battle of the Somme]], No. 24 Squadron alone engaging in 774 combats and destroying 44 enemy machines.<ref name="mason fighter p41"/><ref name = "bruce 78">Bruce 1966, pp. 7-8.</ref> The DH.2 had sensitive controls and, at a time when service training for pilots in the RFC was very poor, it initially had a high accident rate, gaining the nickname "The Spinning Incinerator",<ref name="Raleigh v1 p427-8">Raleigh 1922, pp. 427–428.</ref><ref>Funderburk 1962, p.  83.</ref> but as familiarity with the type increased, it was recognised as very manoeverable and relatively easy to fly.<ref>Cheesman 1960, p. 40.</ref> The rear-mounted rotary engine made the DH.2 easy to [[Stall (fluid mechanics)|stall]], but also made it highly maneuverable.<ref name="Guttmann"/>
+One shortcoming found in its use as a fighter was the relatively limited ammunition of its original gun arrangement.<ref name = "bruce 67">Bruce 1966, pp. 6-7.</ref> Although officially discouraged, pilots often experimented with different gun arrangements, including a fixed twin-gun configuration; furthermore, the original gun mounting was often criticised for being too loose and unstable; it also obstructed the stick when elevated. Some authors have claimed that DH.2s were routinely flown with fixed-position guns.<ref name = "bruce 7">Bruce 1966, p. 7.</ref>
-The arrival at the front of more powerful German [[Tractor configuration|tractor]] biplane fighters such as the [[Halberstadt D.II]] and the [[Albatros D.I]], which appeared in September 1916, meant that the DH.2 was outclassed in turn. It remained in first line service in France, however, until No. 24 and [[No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron RFC]] completed re-equipment with [[Airco DH.5]]s in June 1917, and a few remained in service on [[Macedonian front (World War I)|the Macedonian front]], "A" Flight of No. 47 Squadron and a joint R.F.C. / [[R.N.A.S.]] fighter squadron,<ref name="Munson, p. 99">Munson 1968, p. 99.</ref> and X" Flight,<ref name="Munson, p. 99"/> in [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] until late autumn of that year. By this time, the type was totally obsolete as a fighter, although the DH.2 was used as an advanced trainer as late as 1918. DH.2s were progressively retired, following the conflict's end, no surviving airframes were retained.
+The arrival at the front of more powerful German [[Tractor configuration|tractor]] biplane fighters such as the [[Halberstadt D.II]] and the [[Albatros D.I]], which appeared in September 1916, meant that the DH.2 was outclassed in turn.<ref name = "bruce 910">Bruce 1966, pp. 9-10.</ref> It remained in first line service in France, however, until No. 24 and [[No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron RFC]] completed re-equipment with [[Airco DH.5]]s in June 1917, and a few remained in service on [[Macedonian front (World War I)|the Macedonian front]], "A" Flight of No. 47 Squadron and a joint R.F.C. / [[R.N.A.S.]] fighter squadron,<ref name="Munson, p. 99">Munson 1968, p. 99.</ref> and X" Flight,<ref name="Munson, p. 99"/> in [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] until late autumn of that year. By this time, the type was totally obsolete as a fighter, although the DH.2 was used as an advanced trainer as late as 1918. The last recorded use of the DH.2, an experimental flight performed on behalf of the Royal Aircraft Factory, occurred on 20 March 1918.<ref name = "bruce 10">Bruce 1966, p. 10.</ref> The DH.2 was progressively retired from all purposes; following the conflict's end, no surviving airframes were retained.
 ===Ace pilots===
-Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included [[Victoria Cross]] winner [[Lanoe Hawker]] (seven victories, though none in the DH.2), who was the first commander of No. 24 Squadron and [[Alan Wilkinson (aviator)|Alan Wilkinson]]. The commander of [[No. 32 Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron]], [[Lionel Rees]] won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single-handedly attacking a formation of ten German two-seaters on 1 July 1916, destroying two.<ref name="Jackson DH p48">Jackson 1987, p. 48.</ref> [[James McCudden]] became an ace in DH.2s to start his career as the [[British Empire]]'s fourth-ranking ace of the war.<ref name="Guttman 2009, p. 91">Guttman 2009, p. 91.</ref> German ace and tactician [[Oswald Boelcke]] was killed during a [[dogfight]] with No. 24 Squadron DH.2s due to a collision with one of his own wingmen, [[Erwin Böhme]]. Fourteen aces scored five or more aerial victories using the DH.2; many went on to further success in later types also. Eight pilots scored all of their victories flying solely the type: [[Harry Wood (aviator)|Harry Wood]], [[Sidney Cowan]], [[Hubert Jones]], [[William Curphey]], [[Maximillian Mare-Montembault]], [[Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne]], [[Eric Pashley]] and [[Selden Long]].
+Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included [[Victoria Cross]] winner [[Lanoe Hawker]] (seven victories, though none in the DH.2), who was the first commander of No. 24 Squadron and [[Alan Wilkinson (aviator)|Alan Wilkinson]]. The commander of [[No. 32 Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron]], [[Lionel Rees]] won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single-handedly attacking a formation of ten German two-seaters on 1 July 1916, destroying two.<ref name="Jackson DH p48">Jackson 1987, p. 48.</ref><ref name = "bruce 89">Bruce 1966, pp. 8-9.</ref> [[James McCudden]] became an ace in DH.2s to start his career as the [[British Empire]]'s fourth-ranking ace of the war.<ref name="Guttman 2009, p. 91">Guttman 2009, p. 91.</ref> German ace and tactician [[Oswald Boelcke]] was killed during a [[dogfight]] with No. 24 Squadron DH.2s due to a collision with one of his own wingmen, [[Erwin Böhme]]. Fourteen aces scored five or more aerial victories using the DH.2; many went on to further success in later types also. Eight pilots scored all of their victories flying solely the type: [[Harry Wood (aviator)|Harry Wood]], [[Sidney Cowan]], [[Hubert Jones]], [[William Curphey]], [[Maximillian Mare-Montembault]], [[Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne]], [[Eric Pashley]] and [[Selden Long]].
-[[Lanoe George Hawker]] V.C., [[Distinguished Service Order|D.S.O.]], commanding officer of No. 24 Squadron flying a DH. 2 was shot down by [[Manfred von Richthofen]]  of [[Jasta 2]] flying an [[Albatros D.II]].
+[[Lanoe George Hawker]] V.C., [[Distinguished Service Order|D.S.O.]], commanding officer of No. 24 Squadron flying a DH. 2 was shot down by [[Manfred von Richthofen]]  of [[Jasta 2]] flying an [[Albatros D.II]].<ref name = "bruce 9">Bruce 1966, p. 9.</ref>
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