We often get asked about the spelling of De Havilland in our articles. When we increased newsletters to a regular Friday distribution, our editor decided on a simple convention for its use.
De Havilland is used (think of the Company sign, which, as it happens, was written in capital letters), when it is referring to the company, while we use de Havilland if we are referring to the de Havilland family or any individual.
Hence, it’s a De Havilland Mosquito designed by the company founded by Geoffrey de Havilland.
Note: After we stated this in a recent newsletter, we were delighted to receive the following email:
You are totally correct.
De Havilland for the Company; and de Havilland for the family.
Something drilled into me from my first day at De Havilland Hatfield – and to which I have corrected numerous people, since.
(Before you ask: Fluid Systems on DH121, HS125, HS146, A300 B4, Nimrod, DH88 restoration, and the Miles Student noise experiments, among other lesser projects.)
Bob Sheppard
You will find plenty of conflicting instances online and in print, but at least that is how we are treating the use of spelling, here.
We hope that settles any concerns. Thank you.
Without wishing to sound pompous or prolong dissent, I have what should be the authority regarding the correct spelling of the DH name. I have a few copies of the DE HAVILLAND GAZETTE from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Throughout the text the company is referred to as the de Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd, as in Sir Geoffrey’s name. In titles, signs, etc where all the letters are capitals, the D is in capitals too. It would also be correct if starting a sentence with D.
I worked at Hatfield, albeit in the Propeller Division, later Dynamics, for more than 20 years, the first two when it was still de Havilland. Sadly it is now only a distant but very proud memory. Good luck with the Mossie. It would be wonderful to see one in the air again.
Take a look at https://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/2025/10/07/de-havilland-or-de-havilland/
Any idea what year the Mozzy will be flying
It’s subject to how quickly we can raise the funds. The more we raise the quicker the build will be as we can run jobs in parallel