Why did the D.H.5 have backward-staggered wings?

Short answer

The DH.5 had 690 mm (27 in) of backward stagger, with the lower wing set ahead of the upper one: this put the pilot below the wing's leading edge, with unobstructed views forward and upward. The cost was a blind spot above and behind.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Why did the D.H.5 have backward-staggered wings?

Airco De Havilland DH 2

A reversed stagger

The DH.5's wings were given 690 mm (27 in) of backward stagger, so that the lower wing sat ahead of the upper one. This arrangement let the pilot sit below the wing's leading edge, with uninterrupted views forward and upward.

The trade-off

The position of the upper wing left an unfortunate blind spot above and behind, exactly the direction from which a single-seater was usually attacked. The aircraft was manoeuvrable, but its performance fell off rapidly above 3,000 m (10,000 ft), and it lost altitude quickly in combat. Its speed was a noticeable improvement over the preceding DH.2, though existing fighters already outperformed it, especially in climb.

From fighter to ground attack

The first DH.5 did not reach No. 24 Squadron until 1 May 1917. Its sturdy construction, good low-altitude performance, and good forward visibility for the pilot made it a useful ground-attack aircraft. DH.5s issued to training units proved unpopular, and the type soon disappeared from RFC service.