The Drover - Question.
 

Was the Drover capable of a two engine ferry?

I have never flown one, but I doubt it.

As I understand it, performance was far from startling even when all 3 were running.

Even when retrofitted with the O-360 Lycomings it seemed to perform at a level that avoided whiplash by a wide margin.

The fact that a number of Drovers crashed following the failure of one propeller suggests that the answer to your question is NO!

Dr :8

DHA-3 Mk. 2 Drover: 3 × Gipsy Major Mk-10 4-cylinder inverted engines, 145 hp (108 kW) each
Empty weight: 4,000 lb (1,815 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 6,500 lb (2,950 kg)

One could contemplate how 2,950 kg defies gravity with 3 x 145 HP operating? I'd imagine with one dead the other two would successfully take the aircraft to the scene of the crash. Only 20 built, many crashed.

Maximum speed: 137 knots (157 mph, 253 km/h)
Cruise speed: 108 knots (125 mph, 201.4 km/h)

Wow! A hot rocket! :ok:

Lots about it here
de Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apparently the Mk1F and Mk2 had fixed pitch props.
I suppose if the wing engines were going and the C/L prop was in the boot and the headwind for take off was about 50 knots and the runway was very long it may have been possible to get away with a short ferry!

There is a Lawn ornament at YCAB and I dare say there it will stay, even with them Lyc's on it.

TW....you paint a really glowing sales brochure for them :}

Was the Drover the a/c referred to in not so polite circles as `The Chunderbox?`

Seem to remember my late Father referring to an early a/c by that description.

Taily; You may know.

Another one sits on a pole outside the old Connellan hangar at Alice Springs.

But it looks cool!

[IMG]http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/u...es/drover1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/u...es/Drover2.jpg[/IMG]

Another fine example of Australian aviation design and initiative. :hmm:

Ozaggie would probably know the answer to the original question.

All any one might want to know about all of the Drovers and more here GEOFF GOODALL'S AVIATION HISTORY SITE

The Drover - Question.
 

The DHA3 Drover has 3 engines, cause it needs 3 engines!

Thank you everyone! I'll take that as a 'No' then! :)

The Drover..... With no load, ie: pilot and minimum fuel, wing engines only, would fly. Not good assymetric, however, but who is? I recall a pilot being given his endorsement on Kangaroo Island way back in the never never, who suggested that, upon right wing ( number 3 ) failure, would like to hand over, being told, "Get on with it, this is the assymetric part of the endorsement"! Jim Hazelton, RIP, was there three days later in a Comanche, spare engine in the boot, to get the old girl going again. T'was ADN, ex TAA, from memory, had Lindeman Island, and "Capt ?? Angus or Horrie ?? on the side. Salad days indeed. Another note. When men were men, and women were glad of it, a certain aircraft captain, with a friendly cohort aboard, attempted to launch out of Yorketown on a sunny day, bound Kangaroo Island. By fair means or foul, the lack of power indications from number 2 Lycoming (in this case) were not detected at start, or for indeed, any of the takeoff roll. On completion of the groundloop at the end of the strip, the ever intrepid aviator reached into the breast pocket, and addressed his passengers with, "Anyhow, Have a Winfield" Hope this helps solve the mystery of Drover engine out performance.

three tiget moths in formation.

Combined good and bad points it seems :eek:

Quite right Jaba, but a typically nice airframe to fly, from a 16 yo point of view. Heavy, solid, but forgiving. It was de Havilland, after all. I wonder if Squirrell or Wheatland have anything to add. Cant ask Jim......

I cant really have flown it, it only had one control seat.... Didn't it? :)

Sadly JH would be the man to ask but.....nothing is forever. :sad:

Nothing sad about it Jaba. Blokes like JH and my old man left us great memories and experiences, which we can all reminisce about, and enjoy. I celebrate their lives, mentorship, and the odd cuff up the side of the head! I doubt anybody will ever think the same of me, and i dont wish for it.... I respect them for their sponsorship. Another name from the past....Des O'Driscoll, anybody, Nah, I'll start a new thread!