de Havilland DH.114 Heron

The de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a four‑engine light transport introduced in the early 1950s by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. Designed as a larger, more economical version of the DH.104 Dove, the Heron first flew on 7 August 1950 and entered service in 1951. Its all‑metal low‑wing monoplane layout incorporated four 250 hp Continental O-470 flat‑six engines mounted on the wing leading edges, giving the aircraft excellent short‑field performance and redundancy for remote operations. The cabin could accommodate up to 17 passengers or a mixed load of freight and mail, with a spacious, rectangular fuselage that allowed quick re‑configuration. Production continued until 1963, with more than 300 airframes built for airlines, military transport units, and charter operators worldwide. Notable customers included British European Airways, the Royal Air Force, and numerous African and Caribbean carriers, where the Heron proved indispensable on short, unimproved runways. Its reliability and low operating cost helped bridge the gap between piston‑engine transports and the emerging turboprop era, making it a pivotal step in regional air travel development and cementing de Havilland’s reputation for versatile, utility‑focused aircraft throughout the decade.

de Havilland Aircraft Company

de Havilland DH.114 Heron

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