DH.53 Humming Bird

The de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird was a light, single‑seat monoplane built shortly after World War I by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. First flown in 1923, the aircraft was designed to meet the British Air Ministry’s specification for an inexpensive trainer and recreational aircraft that could be operated from modest fields. Its wooden frame, fabric‑covered wings and a modest 35 hp (26 kW) Bristol Cherub engine gave it a low empty weight of just 300 lb (136 kg) and a maximum speed of around 70 mph (113 km/h). The high‑wing configuration provided excellent visibility and stability, while the simple fixed landing gear and straightforward controls made it ideal for novice pilots. Only a small batch of eight were produced, but the Humming Bird proved a versatile platform for early civil aviation clubs, air‑show demonstrations and experimental work, influencing later de Havilland designs such as the DH.60 Moth. Its legacy lies in demonstrating that low‑cost, low‑power aircraft could foster a growing community of private flyers and laid groundwork for the popular light‑sport aircraft market that blossomed in the 1930s. The Humming Bird remains a cherished example of early British ingenuity, celebrated at historic airshows and preserved in several museums worldwide.