DH-4M-1

The DH‑4M‑1 was a post‑World War II modification of the historic De Havilland DH‑4, built under licence by Boeing for the United States Army Air Forces. Originally a 1918 bomber, the airframe was adapted in the late 1940s for training, liaison and light transport duties. Boeing’s version incorporated a strengthened fuselage, a modernized 400 hp Lycoming R‑680 radial engine, and updated avionics such as radio navigation and blind‑flight instruments. The cockpit was re‑configured with dual controls, permitting instructor and student to operate simultaneously, while reinforced landing gear allowed operation from rough field strips. Approximately 250 DH‑4M‑1s were produced between 1946 and 1949, serving primarily at Army Air Corps training bases and in the National Guard. Their reliability and relatively low operating cost made them an economical bridge between obsolete wartime trainers and the new generation of jet‑propelled aircraft. The DH‑4M‑1’s significance lies in its role as a transitional platform that helped standardize pilot instruction procedures, contributed to post‑war troop mobility, and preserved the legacy of the original DH‑4 while showcasing Boeing’s capability to revitalize legacy designs for modern needs. Today a few restored examples are displayed in aviation museums, illustrating the aircraft’s enduring place in early Cold‑War history.