iscover
Airlines of Tasmania's Heron 2E VH-CLZ first arrived in Australia in 1975 when it was delivered second-hand to Connair. The Tasmanian airline has owned CLZ since 1983, although the aircraft is now out of service (Rob Finlayson).
In Australian Service – DH Heron
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De Havilland Dh.114 Heron
Based on the popular Dove, the Heron was promoted by de Havilland as a replacement for the prewar DH.86B. While a sound and reliable aircraft, it did not achieve the success of the Dove. Given de Havilland’s success in the development of small transport aircraft, it was inevitable that they would look at a means of further developing the Dove. The beginnings of the Heron can be traced to 1944 design studies when the de Havilland company investigated the need for a replacement of the DH.86B four-engined biplane airliner. Just as the Dove was viewed as the natural successor to the DH.89 Rapide, there was merit in extending the proven Dove design to fulfill the need to replace the larger DH.86B. Because of the need to concentrate on the Dove and the yet to be determined market for the larger aircraft, development of the design which eventually materialized as the DH.114 Heron was deferred until 1949. A team headed by W. A. Tamblin then commenced its work. One aim was to use as high a proportion of Dove components as possible to reduce costs, hasten development, and speed production. The name Heron was given to the project and construction of the prototype commenced at Hatfield.
The Heron used the Dove’s roof and side members, nose, and tail unit. The fuselage featured a lengthened keel while the mainplane used the Dove outer wing. The Heron’s dimensions were wing span 21.8m (71ft 6in), length 14.80m (48ft 6in), height 4.75m (15ft 7in) and wing area 46.4 square meters (499sq ft), compared with the Dove’s respective measurements of 17.37m (57ft), 11.96m (89ft 3in), 4.06m (13ft 4in) and 31.1 square meters (335sq ft).
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