De Havilland DH.86 Express

The De Havilland DH.86 Express was a British four‑engine biplane developed in the early 1930s by the de Havilland Aircraft Company for Imperial Airways. Conceived as a successor to the slower DH.84 Dragon, the DH.86 featured a wooden frame, fabric covering and two Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engines mounted on each wing. Its enclosed cabin accommodated up to ten passengers and a crew of two, while a separate cockpit provided the pilot with improved visibility. The aircraft’s most notable innovation was the incorporation of a fully enclosed, heated cabin and a basic radio navigation suite, which set new standards for comfort on long‑distance routes. First flown in November 1930, the DH.86 entered service in 1931, operating routes between Britain, Europe and the Middle East. Although its payload and speed were modest compared to later monoplanes, the Express proved reliable and helped establish regular overseas air mail and passenger services. The type’s operational record, including a series of high‑profile accidents that prompted safety reforms, contributed to the evolution of air‑transport regulations and underscored the transition from biplanes to more modern airliners. Its production ended in 1935 after 57 airframes were built.

de Havilland Aircraft Company

De Havilland DH.86 Express

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification