British Eagle De Havilland DH.104 Dove

The De Havilland DH 104 Dove was a British short-haul airliner developed as a monoplane successor to the pre-war Dragon Rapide and took its first flight in September 1945, going into production a year later. Production lasted until 1967.

Former WWII pilot Harold Bamburg launched Eagle Aviation Ltd on 14^th April 1948 with an investment of £100 and the company operated domestic and international flights for a further 20 years until 1968 when it went into liquidation. The name changed to British Eagle International Airways in 1963.

Our model from the British Eagle period was named 'Eaglet' and is decorated in the company livery of silver, red and white with black graphics. The interior and passenger seating is moulded red. The aircraft number is printed on the starboard upper and underwing, as well as along the rear fuselage. Note too, the Union Flag printed in front of the British Eagle name behind the cockpit window. Two final details see the Eagle 'E' logo in the shape of the bird printed on the tail fin/rudder and the 'Eaglet' name printed on each side of the fuselage below the cockpit.