| T.K.2 | |
|---|---|
 De Havilland T.K.2 (G-ADNO), starting in the London-Cardiff race, at Heston 10 September 1938 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Racer |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | de Havilland |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 16 August 1935 |
| Retired | 1947 |
Thede Havilland T.K.2 was a British 1930s single-engined monoplane, designed by students of thede Havilland Aeronautical Technical School. It won two races before World War II, and afterwards set a class closed circuit speed record.
The de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School was set up in 1928, to enhance de Havilland's apprenticeship scheme.[1] From 1933, the students designed aircraft, and the best of these were built. The drawings for the first one were done by a Dutch student, Juste van Hattum who entitled it the T.K.1, with T.K. for "Tekniese Kollege". Three T.K. aircraft were built and flown, theT.K.1, the T.K.2, and theT.K.4.[2] They did not receive DH. style type numbers.
The T.K.2 was designed as a high speed tourer, under the leadership of Marcus Langley, the school's instructor in design. It was a single-engined, two-seat low cantilever wing monoplane, with an enclosed cockpit and fixed spatted undercarriage. It first flew on 16 August 1935 atHatfield Aerodrome, piloted byHubert S. Broad, and powered by a 147 hp (110 kW)de Havilland Gipsy Major inverted inline engine. Subsequently, for racing purposes, the passenger seat was usually replaced with an additional fuel tank.[2][3]
In late 1935 or early 1936, it received a more aerodynamically refined canopy, and spats extended rearwards.[4] In 1938, it flew with wings clipped by 4 ft (1.22 m) to 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) and re-engined with a 140 hp (104 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major II.[2] At the same time, the forward canopy section was revised again, its sides extended downwards below the rear cockpit rim. Post-World War II, it flew with a Gipsy Major 10 engine. The aircraft was not intended for production, and only one T.K.2 was built. It was test flown on various occasions under'B conditions' with identities E-3, E-5 and E-0235, but otherwise carried the official registration G-ADNO.[4]
The T.K.2 led an active racing life between 1936 and 1939. It made a speciality of the annualHeston-Cardiff race. In its original form, it won the race on 19 September 1936, piloted by Robert J. Waight at 189.7 mph (305.2 km/h)[3][5] On 10 July 1937, it won the race, piloted byGeoffrey de Havilland, Jr. at 161.5 mph (259.7 km/h)).[2][3][6] After the wing clipping and the new engine, on 10 September 1938, it won the race piloted by Geoffrey de Havilland Jnr. at 187.5 mph (301.6 km/h)[2][7] On 3 July 1937, it came second in another cross-country race, from Heston toNewcastle.[8]
On 7 September 1935, it came in fourth in theKing's Cup Race at Hatfield,[9] but on 11 July 1936, it could only finish sixth.[10] It did rather better on theIsle of Man, where on 6 June 1938 it came fourth in the Manx Air Derby.[3][11] On 27 May 1939, it won the race from Hatfield to the Isle of Man, and on 29 May 1939 it came fifth in the Manx Air Derby[3][12]
On 30 July 1938, it came third in theFolkestone Trophy race at Lympne, where it was awarded a £10 prize, presented by the dramatistNoël Coward.[3][13] It also took part in the 1937 Cinque Ports Wakefield Trophy.[14]
During World War II, it was used as a de Havilland company communications aircraft.[2] Post-World War II, it returned to the Isle of Man to gain second place at the Manx Air Derby on 26 May 1947.[3][15] Powered with a Gipsy Major 10, it set a 100 km (62 m) class closed circuit record on 31 August 1947 at 178.3 mph (286.9 km/h), piloted by W.P.I Fillingham.[2][16][17] It was scrapped in December 1947.[2]
Data fromJackson 1978, p. 526
General characteristics
Performance
