De Havilland DHA-3 Drover

History of VH-DHM

The HARS Drover is #20, built in 1951.

The HARS aircraft had many owners over the years and was purchased back by Hawker De Havilland in 1981 as an apprentice restoration project.  She flew again in July 1986 and is totally airworthy.

On the takeover of Hawker De Havilland by Boeing in 2000 the aircraft was placed in the operational care of HARS.

History of Type

Designed in the late 1940s by Hawker De Havilland in Australia as a general aviation light passenger aircraft, the Drover’s first flight was in January 1948.

A total of 20 Drovers were built.

Users of the type included QANTAS, TAA and the Royal Flying Doctors.

Like many aircraft of its vintage the Drover’s engines are inverted (upside down) to get good propeller ground clearance.

 

Technical Specifications

Engines: 3 x Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2 (373 cu in or ~6 L) inline 4 cylinder engines of ~145hp each, inverted, air-cooled, direct drive.

Maximum takeoff weight: 2,950 kg

Length: 11.2 m

Wing span: 17.3 m

Height: 3 m

Cruising speed: ~200 km/h (max ~220 km/h)

Range: ~800 km

Crew: 1 x pilot, up to 6 passengers