Desoutter Aircraft Company
Desoutter Mk.II
The Desoutner Mk.II was the flagship light‑sport aircraft produced by the British‑based Desoutter Aircraft Company in the late 1930s. Developed from the earlier Mk.I, the Mk.II first flew on 12 April 1937 and entered series production the following year. Its wooden‑fuselage construction, covered in plywood and fabric, combined with a low‑wing, monoplane layout gave it a sleek, aerodynamic profile that was advanced for its class. Powered by a 115‑horsepower de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 115 mph, cruise at 95 mph, and offered a range of 460 miles—making it ideal for private owners, flying clubs, and training schools. The cockpit accommodated two seats in tandem, with dual controls and large windows that provided excellent visibility. A notable feature was its detachable wing panels, allowing easy transport by road to remote airfields. Though only 38 examples were built before World War II halted production, the Desoutner Mk.II demonstrated the potential of lightweight, economical designs and influenced post‑war trainers such as the Miles Magister. Its legacy lives on in the preservation of several airworthy examples displayed at historic aviation museums.
