DH.104 Dove Preservation Group
 

GOPLC flies regularly in the UK.

Or G-OPLC, even.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-OPLC002.jpg

Thanks Guys,

I also believe G-HBBC is being restored to flying condition Again after being out of the air for 3 years, of course there is G-DHDV aswell.
In Australia we only have the ex RN Sea Devon XJ324 VH-DHI Flying
VH-OBI is still on the register but has not be airbourne since 2006
Cheers Dan.

de Havilland Factory 1948
 

Hi Guys,
Found this clip of the de Havilland factory at Hatfield in 1948
some great shots of Dove's bewing assembled
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/de...rcraft-factory

Cheers Dan.

Always thought the Dove an attractive little workmanlike machine even back in the 60s. Came across VH-MAL when visiting son in Brizzy earlier this year - would it fly again?

Years ago, there were Doves in commercial service with two tiny airlines from BKL in Cleveland. BKL had a small commercial terminal but was never able to sustain commercial service for very long simply because the main airport, CLE was so close and Cleveland never had enough traffic to support two commercial airports.
Another carrier operated a commuter service in Allegheny colors to small Ohio cities from CLE using at least two Doves and a Herron, based upon the number I saw on the ground simultaneously.
IIRC, all of these had been re-engined with HO powerplants.
Nice to see a group dedicated to keeping a few Doves in the air and out of the scrappers.

A long time ago (1975) I was lucky enough to go on a round Britain in a day trip on the then Hawker Siddeley owned G-ARBE company plane. My dad (RAF officer) knew Derek Whitehead, then then chief test pilot for Blackburn / HS / became BAe who offered me a seat from Brough on a day trip, can't remember now where we went, but know Woodford was the last but one stop, before said pilot thought he'd have some fun with the cocky young pup down the back. Handled well, that Dove and I was a little poorly during some limited aeros.

Lovely memories, and oh how special did I feel at the tender age of 14 or 15 ?

overfly

Well it would fly if you threw enough money at it but sometimes it just doesn't make sense. Besides VH-MAL has nothing to prove.

For many years the aeroplane (then VH-DSM) was stored in the open seemingly abandoned at Evans Head. After it went to the Queensland Air Museum one visitor was very pleased to see it on display. He was an airworthiness surveyor with CASA and explained the reason for his delight; "That means there will be no more applications for ferry permits out of Evans Head."

"Workmanlike" you bet. The Dove was certified as an airliner so it's not your average light twin.

Rgds

Walking home this evening as it was getting pretty dark (what a sunset!), heard what sounded very much like a pair of Gipsy Queens - had to have been a Dove! Heading west from the Biggin Hill direction, probably overflew Kenley. All I could see was the anti collision beacon winking seductively...

Hi Guys,
Great see all your comments and stories.
If any one in the States is interested there are 2 doves fors ale at the moment links below.

http://dh104preservation.webs.com/ap...111ze-for-sale

N104DV ex VH-DHA For Sale

Cheers Dan.

Hi People,
heaps of new(old) photo's uploaded to our website.
check them out! Photos
http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/38/3...mation%201.jpg

Brake Bags
 

Hi People,
We are chasing some servicable Brake bags(or any for that matter!)
Devonair have none availble.
If you can help please drop us an Email
[email protected]
Regards, D.P.G

Back when I worked at Bournemouth Airport we had the task of shoehorning a Devon/Dove into a shipping container to send to Aus. Any idea which one that might have been?

IIRC, we left a little 'present' in there with it for the Aussie P.M.

Hi blue up,
Depends on when we are talking. if its the late 80's earley 90's there were 5 that came here, 2 Sea Devons XJ319 & 324, 2 Dove 8's G-ASMG & G-LIDD and a RAF Devon VP958
as for the present am I to guess it wasnt pleasant? never heard about it here.
Cheers, Dan

It was just after that occasion when the Aussie PM was photographed 'handling' the Queen, if that helps.

I seem to recall that the guys who made the wooden frame for the fuselage had made a noose and strangled and empty can of Fosters with a placard below it reminding the PM what he would get if he didn't keep his hands off of 'Betty' :)

We had several aircraft come through the workshop in a period of just a few years so I can't remember which one it was. I had some DH manuals here for the Hydromatic props until a few years ago. I'll have to have a think about where they went.

ah now I get it, I do remember him throwing his arm around our head of state as if it were some Sheila down the pub! Looked as if he was,tempted to try a tap on the bum too!
embarrassing moment for all I think
given when it the groper from downunder indecent happened it was probably XJ319, I will talk too one of the guys that unpacked it and see if he remembers.

Cheers, Dan

I too flew in Dove G-ARBE, from the HSA test airfield Holme-on-Spalding-Moor to Boscombe Down to pick up Derek Whithead and his navigator after they had delivered a Buccaneer for testing. Ex test pilot Dickie Chandler was in the left seat and we even had a navigator for the trip down the airways.

All was not well on our arrival at BD... as I recall a pin needed to be inserted somewhere in the nose undercarriage mechanism, just in case, and this had not been done.. the once mighty Buccaneer was resting forlornly on its nose. Whitehead was not impressed and I well remember the big man in the confines of the Dove's cabin with steam coming out of his ears for the entire flight back to HOSM.

Went up with Dickie Chandler on another flight in RBE, this time out of her base at Brough, to capture sky-and-cloud footage for a ballet production. Being an apprentice could be fun!

Robert

http://www.aviationmuseum.co.nz/cms/...55-255-255.jpg

DH104 Devon at Ashburton Aviatation Museum (NZ). 17 hours total time on the air frame.

WOW only 17 hours, there are two other dove that have been claimed to be the lowest time airframes 1 in here in oz with 1700hrs 1 in the states with 600hrs but this would take the cake.
Cheers Dan