J.Wegg General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecessors Since 1912 (Putnam)

DH-4 Conversions

   During the war, Dayton Wright received contracts for 5,000 DH-4s following modification of a pattern aircraft sent from Britain to accept the Liberty 12 engine and American 0.30in Marlin machine-gun. The final total of DH-4s delivered was 3,098, the rest being cancelled. In addition, there were substantial numbers remodelled or converted to DH-4A or DH-4B standard and 155 were transferred to the Navy and Marine Corp with the designation O2B.
   Dayton Wright also built the DH-4R, an unarmed advanced trainer conversion with dual controls, modified rear decking, and the gunner's position modified to an instructor's position. At least one Nine Hour Cruiser was completed, a DH-4 (30130) with an enlarged fuel tank positioned directly over the undercarriage, aft of the Liberty engine and ahead of the two open cockpits. With double the normal endurance, nonstop flights were claimed possible between New York and Chicago. The D.W.H.4 Blue Bird was a dual-control trainer version, with the same modifications, produced in small numbers for the Army.
   Three USD-9As (equivalent to the D.H.9A) were also built (40044, 40118/40119) and the second was tested at McCook Field with the number P-80.
   The first postwar civil conversion offered was the DH-4K Honeymoon Express, a three-seat sport conversion of a DH-4B with a 1ft longer fuselage, displayed at the Aeronautical Exhibition, Madison Square Garden, New York City during 1-15 March, 1919. The two passengers were carried in an enclosed cabin behind the pilot's open cockpit and it was powered by a 400hp Liberty 12. One aircraft (race number 32) was entered in the Aviation Country Club Trophy Race at the Pulitzer Races, Detroit, in October 1922. Piloted by Lt H R Harris of the USAAC, it won against three other competitors.

   One 400hp Liberty 12 twelve-cylinder water-cooled engine.
   Span 42ft 5 1/2in; length 31ft 1 1/2in; height 11 ft 9in.
   Weight empty 2,400 lb; gross weight 3,410 lb.
   Maximum speed 115mph; climb 10,000ft/10min; endurance 2.25hr (88US gal fuel capacity).

Jane's All The World Aircraft 1919

This company was organised during the war for the quantity production of aeroplanes to government specifications. On February 1st, 1919, the total number of machines constructed comprised 400 Standard J.1 training aeroplanes and D.H.4A "battle-planes".
  
  
   The American H.H.4 Biplane
   (built by Dayton Wright Aeroplane Co.)
  
Type of machine Two-seater Biplane.
Name or type No. of machine American D.H.4
Purpose for which intended Reconnaissance and light bomber.
Span 42 ft. 5 3/4 in.
Overall length 30 ft. 5 in.
Maximum height 10 ft. 3 in.
Chord 5 ft. 6 in.
Span of tail 13 ft. 7 in.
Engine type and h.p. Liberty 12; 400 h.p.
Weight of machine empty 2,391 lbs.
Tank capacity in gallons 88 gallons.
Performance.
   Speed low down 124.7 m.p.h.
   Speed at 6,500 feet 120 m.p.h.
   Speed at 10,000 feet 117 m.p.h.
   Speed at 15,000 feet 113 m.p.h.
   Landing speed 58 m p.h.
   Climb.
   To 10,000 feet in minutes 14 minutes
Ceiling 19,500 feet.
Endurance
   at 6,500 feet (full throttle) 2 hrs 13 mins.
   at 6,500 feet (half throttle) 3 hrs 3 mins.
Track 6 feet.
Total weight of machine loaded 3,582 lbs.