IATA DHHICAO HERN

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

British four-engine piston feeder airliner of the 1950s.

First flight

1950

Category

Regional piston airliner

Seating

14–17

Range

1,670 km

Engines

Four de Havilland Gipsy Queen 30 piston engines

Status

Retired

The de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a British short-haul feeder airliner developed as a successor to the DH.104 Dove. First flown in 1950, it was designed to be a simple, economical aircraft suitable for small regional airlines and bush operators, featuring a fixed undercarriage and four small piston engines to reduce maintenance costs. The Heron was produced in two main variants: the Mk.1 with a fixed undercarriage and the Mk.2 with a retractable undercarriage for improved performance. Some aircraft were also re-engined with turboprop powerplants by various operators and conversion houses, significantly improving their capabilities. Around 149 Herons were built before production ended in 1963. The type served with numerous small regional and charter airlines around the world, as well as with military and government operators. A handful of airworthy examples survive to this day as warbirds and museum pieces.

Notable operators

Major operators included Jersey Airlines, Morton Air Services, BEA (Scottish Airways), Ansett-ANA, and numerous small regional carriers worldwide.

Notable facts

›The Heron was designed as a simple, low-cost successor to the de Havilland Dove.
›Approximately 149 aircraft were built between 1950 and 1963.
›The fixed-undercarriage Mk.1 was later supplemented by the retractable-undercarriage Mk.2 variant.
›Several Herons were converted to turboprop power by operators seeking better performance.
›The type served with the Queen's Flight in the United Kingdom for VIP transport duties.

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The de Havilland DH.114 Heron is a small propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle undercarriage that could be used on regional and commuter routes. A total of 149 were built; it was also exported to about 30 countries. Herons later formed the basis for various conversions, such as the Riley Turbo Skyliner and the Saunders ST-27 and ST-28.

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