70 years ago today....first flight of the Dehavilland Dove
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ohio
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I had the pleasure of spotting both Doves and Herons in commercial operation as late as the mid 'seventies.
The Dove was operated by two small airlines from BKL until one was lost in the lake while the Dove and Heron were both operated by a contractor to what was then Allegheny, later to become US Air, from CLE to a variety of smaller Ohio destinations.
Allegheny also operated the BAC 1-11, many of which could be spotted on their typical banked hub push at CLE, along with a flock of Convair 580s.
The Convairs seemed so quiet as compared to the United DC-8s and American 707s that screamed overhead on approach.
There were also Northwest DC-10s, TWA L-1011s as well as a 747 now and then along with many DC-9s and 727s as well as a growing number of 737s.
Never did spot a Caravelle, although United did have them in the fleet for a bit.
CLE is nothing like as busy these days.
Fun times.
The Dove was operated by two small airlines from BKL until one was lost in the lake while the Dove and Heron were both operated by a contractor to what was then Allegheny, later to become US Air, from CLE to a variety of smaller Ohio destinations.
Allegheny also operated the BAC 1-11, many of which could be spotted on their typical banked hub push at CLE, along with a flock of Convair 580s.
The Convairs seemed so quiet as compared to the United DC-8s and American 707s that screamed overhead on approach.
There were also Northwest DC-10s, TWA L-1011s as well as a 747 now and then along with many DC-9s and 727s as well as a growing number of 737s.
Never did spot a Caravelle, although United did have them in the fleet for a bit.
CLE is nothing like as busy these days.
Fun times.
Although I have never flown a Dove I have flown both the original engined Heron as well as the Lycoming conversion
Even though the Gypsy aircraft was under powered, it was the second best aircraft I've ever flown (The Citation 550 is my favourite). It only had power levers with the mixtures and condition functions inter connected. Just push the throttles forward and away you went.
The Lycoming one, had the grunt to make it an 180kt short field performer. To achieve prop control we had switches on the pedestal to activate an electric motor that drove the pitch control.
If Dhavilland had not been so Britsh and stuck with the Gypsy engine they would have sold 3 times the number to the USA commuter airlines.
Saunders proved this even more so when they re engined the Heron with PT6s. This became the Saunders ST27, a real winner. But the Canadian government had to chose between the DHC6 or the ST27, history tells which they chose.
To indicate how good the Heron was I operated the last commercial flights in a Heron around Australia and out in the Pacific. The longest flight we ever did was from Sydney island hopping to the Cook Island without a hiccup.
What killed off the Heron, government bueauracy. Basically CASA didn't want the aircraft operating any more.
Even though the Gypsy aircraft was under powered, it was the second best aircraft I've ever flown (The Citation 550 is my favourite). It only had power levers with the mixtures and condition functions inter connected. Just push the throttles forward and away you went.
The Lycoming one, had the grunt to make it an 180kt short field performer. To achieve prop control we had switches on the pedestal to activate an electric motor that drove the pitch control.
If Dhavilland had not been so Britsh and stuck with the Gypsy engine they would have sold 3 times the number to the USA commuter airlines.
Saunders proved this even more so when they re engined the Heron with PT6s. This became the Saunders ST27, a real winner. But the Canadian government had to chose between the DHC6 or the ST27, history tells which they chose.
To indicate how good the Heron was I operated the last commercial flights in a Heron around Australia and out in the Pacific. The longest flight we ever did was from Sydney island hopping to the Cook Island without a hiccup.
What killed off the Heron, government bueauracy. Basically CASA didn't want the aircraft operating any more.
