—DEHAVILLAND DH SERIES

de Havilland DH Series for Sale — Classic British Military Aircraft

The de Havilland DH Series encompasses one of the most storied lineages in British aviation history, spanning wartime piston fighters and bombers through pioneering postwar jet aircraft that defined an era. From the iconic DH.98 Mosquito of World War II to the jet-age DH.100 Vampire, DH.112 Venom, and DH.115 Vampire Trainer, de Havilland produced aircraft of remarkable ingenuity, performance, and historical significance. Surviving examples of the DH military series represent some of the most sought-after warbird acquisitions available, combining genuine combat heritage with the engineering genius that made de Havilland one of the defining names in British aerospace. Airplane Trade maintains listings for the de Havilland DH military series for qualified buyers and sellers worldwide.

The DH.98 Mosquito

The de Havilland Mosquito is widely considered one of the greatest aircraft of World War II — a revolutionary wooden twin-engine design that outperformed purpose-built fighters while carrying a bomb load that rivaled heavy bombers of its era. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito served as a day and night bomber, pathfinder, photo-reconnaissance aircraft, nightfighter, intruder, and maritime strike platform with equal distinction. Its speed at low and medium altitudes made it effectively immune to interception by German piston fighters for much of the war, and its precision bombing capability was demonstrated in spectacular raids including the Amiens Prison break and the Shell House attack in Copenhagen.

Surviving airworthy Mosquitos are extraordinarily rare — perhaps fewer than a handful are maintained in flying condition worldwide — and they command multi-million dollar valuations when they appear on the market. Static and restoration-project Mosquitos also appear occasionally and attract intense interest from aviation museums and well-funded private collectors.

The DH.100 Vampire and DH.115 Vampire Trainer

The de Havilland Vampire was Britain's second operational jet fighter, entering RAF service in 1946 and going on to serve with more than thirty air forces worldwide. Its distinctive twin-boom layout with a central nacelle housing the de Havilland Goblin centrifugal-flow turbojet became one of the most recognizable aircraft silhouettes of the early jet age. The single-seat Vampire F.1 and its variants were followed by the two-seat DH.115 Vampire Trainer, which became one of the most widely operated jet trainers of the 1950s and is the variant most commonly encountered in civilian hands today.

Switzerland was among the largest Vampire operators and maintained its fleet into the 1990s, providing a significant source of well-maintained airframes that entered the civilian warbird market following retirement. Swiss Vampires are considered among the best-documented and best-maintained examples available, and several have been exported to warbird operators in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.

The DH.112 Venom

The Venom was a development of the Vampire with a thinner wing, more powerful de Havilland Ghost turbojet, and improved performance at higher altitudes. It served with the RAF and export customers including Switzerland, Sweden, and Iraq in both single-seat fighter-bomber and two-seat night fighter variants. Like the Vampire, the two-seat Venom variants are the examples most likely to be encountered in civilian ownership.

Technical Specifications — DH.115 Vampire Trainer (Typical)

• Engine: de Havilland Goblin 35, 3,500 lb thrust
• Maximum speed: 538 mph (468 knots) at 20,000 ft
• Service ceiling: 40,000 ft
• Range: Approximately 1,220 miles
• Seats: 2 (side-by-side)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in
• Configuration: Twin-boom, central nacelle

Acquiring a de Havilland DH Military Aircraft

Purchasing any de Havilland military aircraft requires careful attention to documentation, airworthiness status, and the specialist maintenance community available for each type. The Goblin and Ghost engines require overhaul by specialists with appropriate tooling and experience, and the wooden or composite construction of the Mosquito demands inspection by experts in vintage wooden aircraft structures. Import and export regulations, demilitarization requirements, and FAA airworthiness certification procedures should all be addressed with qualified aviation legal counsel before any transaction is completed.

Browse de Havilland DH Series Listings on Airplane Trade

Airplane Trade provides a dedicated category for de Havilland DH series military aircraft where serious buyers can find Vampires, Venoms, and other DH warbirds from private collections, estates, and specialist dealers worldwide. Contact sellers directly through our platform and connect with the most qualified audience of historic military aircraft buyers and sellers in aviation.