Dayton-Wright DH-4 Liberty Plane
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."
The first American-built DH-4 reached France on May 11, 1918. However, because the arriving airplanes were not combat ready and required further preparation, the first mission was not flown until August 2. Although the American Liberty-engined DH-4s were in combat for less than four months, they proved their worth. Of the six Medals of Honor awarded to aviators during the First World War, four were received by pilots and observers flying DH-4s.
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. The DH-4 was the only U.S.-built airplane to fly in combat during World War I. By the end of the war, 3,431 had been delivered to the Air Service. The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company built most of these. Of these, 1,213 had been shipped to France, and 417 had seen combat.
The DH-4 had a span of 43.5 feet (13.3 meters), was 30.5 feet (9.3 meters) in length, and 10.3 feet (3.1 meters) high. It weighed 3,557 pounds (1,613 kilograms) when loaded. It carried two .30-caliber Marlin machine guns in the nose and two .30-caliber Lewis machine guns in the rear as well as 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of bombs. It used a Liberty L-12, 421-horsepower (314-kilowatt) engine and carried a two-man crew.
Following World War I, the DH-4 continued in use with the Army for a decade. More than 1,500 were rebuilt for increased strength and some were modified for carrying airmail in the 1920s.
The original Airco D.H.4 model and air files are by Gary Aumaugher.
With Gary's kind permission it is the base for the further development by Captain Kurt into the American Dayton Wright DH-4 Liberty Plane version. The nose, tail, landing gear, machine guns, cockpit, propeller and rigging were different from the Airco British version. The textures were remapped for the Dayton Wright version and textures are by Captain Kurt. The aircraft.cfg and .air files modified for the new aircraft, plus a new .dp and 2d panel are also by Captain Kurt.
The crew figures were developed from Wolfi's free source Japanese pilot figure. Spinning prop texture is by Kelticheart.
The bombs are from the 'WW1 Weapons Pack' by John Fortin
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."
The first American-built DH-4 reached France on May 11, 1918. However, because the arriving airplanes were not combat ready and required further preparation, the first mission was not flown until August 2. Although the American Liberty-engined DH-4s were in combat for less than four months, they proved their worth. Of the six Medals of Honor awarded to aviators during the First World War, four were received by pilots and observers flying DH-4s.
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. The DH-4 was the only U.S.-built airplane to fly in combat during World War I. By the end of the war, 3,431 had been delivered to the Air Service. The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company built most of these. Of these, 1,213 had been shipped to France, and 417 had seen combat.
The DH-4 had a span of 43.5 feet (13.3 meters), was 30.5 feet (9.3 meters) in length, and 10.3 feet (3.1 meters) high. It weighed 3,557 pounds (1,613 kilograms) when loaded. It carried two .30-caliber Marlin machine guns in the nose and two .30-caliber Lewis machine guns in the rear as well as 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of bombs. It used a Liberty L-12, 421-horsepower (314-kilowatt) engine and carried a two-man crew.
Following World War I, the DH-4 continued in use with the Army for a decade. More than 1,500 were rebuilt for increased strength and some were modified for carrying airmail in the 1920s.
The original Airco D.H.4 model and air files are by Gary Aumaugher.
With Gary's kind permission it is the base for the further development by Captain Kurt into the American Dayton Wright DH-4 Liberty Plane version. The nose, tail, landing gear, machine guns, cockpit, propeller and rigging were different from the Airco British version. The textures were remapped for the Dayton Wright version and textures are by Captain Kurt. The aircraft.cfg and .air files modified for the new aircraft, plus a new .dp and 2d panel are also by Captain Kurt.
The crew figures were developed from Wolfi's free source Japanese pilot figure. Spinning prop texture is by Kelticheart.
The bombs are from the 'WW1 Weapons Pack' by John Fortin
