{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.de-havilland-dh-86-express","code":"thing-q1050742","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q1050742/","name":"De Havilland DH.86 Express","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"The de Havilland DH.86 Express is a British four-engine, wood-and-fabric biplane transport aircraft type developed in the 1930s for passenger and mail services.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise the de Havilland DH.86 Express aircraft family, distinguish its configurations, and assess what evidence supports identification, condition assessment and proposed use.","scope":{"in":["DH.86 family identity and documented variant boundaries","Four-engine biplane configuration and identifying airframe features","Installed propulsion, cockpit and passenger or payload arrangements","Configuration-dependent loading, performance and handling evidence","Airframe condition, modifications and maintenance applicability","Evidence required to distinguish historical approval, preservation and operational eligibility"],"out":["Individual aircraft ownership, registration and complete service histories","The Gipsy Six engine family as an independently maintained product model","Other de Havilland aircraft types, including the Dragon and Dragon Rapide","Airlines, routes and air transport services as organisations or activities","Accidents and investigations as independently modelled events","Scale models, simulations and replicas as equivalent original aircraft"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Require documentary identification as DH.86 or a supported derivative; an Express name or airline livery alone is insufficient.","Check for the four-engine, two-bay biplane arrangement described in the contemporary aircraft circular. [NACA Aircraft Circular 189](https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc279667/)","Check the four Gipsy Six installation against the type description; engine identity alone does not establish aircraft identity. [DH Moth Club type record](https://www.dhmothclub.co.uk/representative-aircraft-types/dh86-express/)","Compare nose, cockpit and vertical-tail details with dated configuration evidence before assigning a variant.","Require full-size construction and provenance evidence to distinguish an original airframe or surviving component from a replica or display model."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"identity-and-configuration","name":"Identity and configuration","description":"Establish DH.86 family membership and the configuration represented by each claim.","layers":[{"id":"family-attribution","name":"Family attribution","description":"Separate documentary type identity from names, liveries and visual resemblance.","findings":[{"id":"documented-dh86-identity","name":"Documented DH.86 identity","description":"Recognition should combine a type designation with identifiable configuration evidence.","questions":[{"text":"Which record identifies the subject as a DH.86-family aircraft rather than merely calling it Express?","id":"documented-dh86-identity-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which visible or documented features exclude another de Havilland transport type or a replica?","id":"documented-dh86-identity-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"variant-and-modification","name":"Variant and modification","description":"Track the relationship between production designation and subsequent physical changes.","findings":[{"id":"dated-configuration-baseline","name":"Dated configuration baseline","description":"Variant attribution should state the date represented and distinguish original construction from incorporated modifications.","questions":[{"text":"What manufacturer evidence defines the differences between DH.86, DH.86A and DH.86B?","id":"dated-configuration-baseline-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Does the available evidence describe the aircraft as built or after cockpit, tail or other modifications?","id":"dated-configuration-baseline-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"airframe-and-preservation","name":"Airframe and preservation","description":"Describe the DH.86 airframe arrangement and the evidence needed to assess its surviving structure.","layers":[{"id":"biplane-geometry","name":"Biplane geometry","description":"Capture the configuration of wings, supporting members, nacelles and landing gear.","findings":[{"id":"configuration-specific-geometry","name":"Configuration-specific geometry","description":"Use dimensioned DH.86 drawings to establish geometry rather than estimating proportions from a single photograph.","questions":[{"text":"What span, length, height and wing geometry are specified for the represented configuration?","id":"configuration-specific-geometry-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which drawing establishes nacelle, landing-gear and bracing locations?","id":"configuration-specific-geometry-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"structural-condition","name":"Structural condition","description":"Relate original construction and subsequent repairs to the condition of surviving material.","findings":[{"id":"construction-and-repair-evidence","name":"Construction and repair evidence","description":"Structural assessment must identify specified materials, joints, coverings and repairs before assigning condition or proposing intervention.","questions":[{"text":"Which DH.86 drawings or repair instructions identify the materials and joints in the component being assessed?","id":"construction-and-repair-evidence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What inspections are needed to evaluate deterioration, distortion or undocumented repairs in those materials?","id":"construction-and-repair-evidence-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"Which surviving parts are original, replacement, reconstructed or of uncertain attribution?","id":"construction-and-repair-evidence-q03","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"four-engine-propulsion","name":"Four-engine propulsion","description":"Represent the DH.86 propulsion installation and its aircraft-level dependencies.","layers":[{"id":"engine-and-propeller-fit","name":"Engine and propeller fit","description":"Identify the equipment installed at each engine position.","findings":[{"id":"matched-installation-specification","name":"Matched installation specification","description":"Record engine and propeller specifications together with their installation approval and rating conditions.","questions":[{"text":"Which Gipsy Six subtype and propeller specification belong at each position for this configuration?","id":"matched-installation-specification-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What power rating, rotational speed and operating duration does the applicable specification state?","id":"matched-installation-specification-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"supply-and-engine-state","name":"Supply and engine state","description":"Connect fuel, lubrication and cockpit controls to individual engine states.","findings":[{"id":"installation-dependencies","name":"Installation dependencies","description":"Assess the actual supply and control arrangement before inferring redundancy or permissible operation with an engine unavailable.","questions":[{"text":"Which manual establishes fuel routing, usable quantities, oil requirements and engine-control functions?","id":"installation-dependencies-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which supplies or controls are shared, and which can be isolated by engine position?","id":"installation-dependencies-q02","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What documented restrictions apply when a specified engine is unavailable?","id":"installation-dependencies-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"crew-payload-and-performance","name":"Crew, payload and performance","description":"Connect the cockpit and transport arrangement to loading and performance evidence.","layers":[{"id":"cockpit-and-transport-layout","name":"Cockpit and transport layout","description":"Describe the crew stations and accommodation represented by a particular layout.","findings":[{"id":"layout-specific-capacity","name":"Layout-specific capacity","description":"Treat seating and payload provision as configuration-dependent, with access and equipment requirements recorded alongside capacity.","questions":[{"text":"How many pilot stations and passenger positions does the applicable layout provide?","id":"layout-specific-capacity-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which drawing or operator record establishes the cabin, baggage spaces and access arrangement?","id":"layout-specific-capacity-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"loading-and-performance-envelope","name":"Loading and performance envelope","description":"Keep loading limits and measured performance attached to their reference conditions.","findings":[{"id":"qualified-performance-claims","name":"Qualified performance claims","description":"Separate descriptive performance estimates, test results and approved limits when evaluating DH.86 capability.","questions":[{"text":"What mass and centre-of-gravity limits apply, using which datum and configuration?","id":"qualified-performance-claims-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"At what mass, altitude, atmospheric conditions and engine state were the quoted speed, range or climb figures obtained?","id":"qualified-performance-claims-q02","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Does the evidence support the proposed loading or route assessment, or only a historical comparison?","id":"qualified-performance-claims-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"handling-and-eligibility","name":"Handling and eligibility","description":"Evaluate DH.86 control and stability evidence together with the basis for proposed interventions or operation.","layers":[{"id":"tail-controls-and-stability","name":"Tail, controls and stability","description":"Associate handling evidence with the exact aerodynamic and control configuration investigated.","findings":[{"id":"configuration-bound-handling-evidence","name":"Configuration-bound handling evidence","description":"Keep reported symptoms, investigation conclusions and demonstrated effects of modifications separate.","questions":[{"text":"Which primary test or investigation records describe DH.86 stability or control concerns, and for which configuration?","id":"configuration-bound-handling-evidence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What evidence establishes the geometry, applicability and demonstrated effect of supplementary vertical tail surfaces?","id":"configuration-bound-handling-evidence-q02","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which control-travel and rigging checks are specified by the applicable technical instructions?","id":"configuration-bound-handling-evidence-q03","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"maintenance-and-authority","name":"Maintenance and authority","description":"Determine which technical instructions and approval instruments bear on the proposed action.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-for-permitted-action","name":"Evidence for permitted action","description":"A historical description supports identification; maintenance release or operation requires applicable technical and authority evidence for the actual aircraft.","questions":[{"text":"Which authority issued the relevant approval or restriction, on what date, and for which DH.86 configuration?","id":"evidence-for-permitted-action-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which maintenance instructions, inspection intervals and modification requirements apply to the represented aircraft?","id":"evidence-for-permitted-action-q02","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What additional evidence is required before conservation, reconstruction, ground running or flight can proceed?","id":"evidence-for-permitted-action-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of De Havilland DH.86 Express this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Identify photographs or remains as this four-engine biplane airliner type.","Describe its passenger and mail service from historical sources.","Report its accident history from official inquiries."],"mustNot":["Present a related smaller type as this aircraft.","Invent or embellish accident details.","Assign blame to named crew without the findings of an inquiry."],"requiresHuman":["Publishing names of people killed in accidents beyond what official records state."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Several accidents early in its career raised questions of airliner safety and certification.","Victims of air accidents and their families deserve respect."],"affectedParties":["Families of accident victims","Historians","Museums"]},"owners":{"steward":"The museum or owner of any surviving example or remains; the state for items in public collections.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q67485852","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.de-havilland-dh-86-express","Wikidata: Q1050742 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050742)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Documented type and variant: DH.86; DH.86A; DH.86B; unresolved attribution","Configuration evidence: Dated manufacturer drawing, manual, modification record or identified photograph","Propulsion installation: Four engines; record engine subtype, propeller specification and installation position","External dimensions: Wingspan, length and height in m, with configuration and source","Cockpit and cabin arrangement: Documented pilot stations, passenger seats, payload spaces and access arrangement","Mass and balance envelope: Mass in kg; centre-of-gravity limits in the source datum convention","Performance conditions: Speed in km/h; range and altitude in km or m; climb in m/s; accompanying mass, atmosphere and engine state","Tail and control configuration: Documented tail geometry, control arrangement and incorporated modifications","Preservation and serviceability state: Documentary representation; fragment; incomplete airframe; static exhibit; assessed serviceable; unknown","Approval applicability: Issuing authority, instrument, jurisdiction, date, aircraft identity and configuration"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Four-engine biplane with tapered wings and a wood-and-fabric structure.","Slim fuselage with a row of passenger windows.","Period airline markings and civil registrations."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Identify a documented aircraft, photograph or component as belonging to the DH.86 family with an explicit confidence level.","Compare an observed configuration with variant descriptions and modification records.","Select potentially applicable drawings, manuals and inspection evidence for specialist review.","Assess whether a claimed payload or performance figure matches its configuration and operating conditions.","Identify evidence gaps before conservation, reconstruction, ground running or proposed flight.","Link DH.86-specific changes to relevant aircraft histories and investigations without duplicating those records."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Handling problems in early versions contributed to accidents.","Wood-and-fabric airframes are vulnerable to fire and rot."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["Annex 7 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization, would govern nationality and registration markings for a civil example registered within its scope.","The Air Navigation Order 2016, issued by the United Kingdom as an Order in Council, would be relevant to any proposed operation under United Kingdom jurisdiction."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["This aircraft family served passenger and mail routes during the 1930s.","It is encountered today primarily through aviation history, photographs, technical records and museum interpretation.","Its configurations are studied to understand early commercial air transport and the development of multiengine aircraft."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q1050742: De Havilland DH.86 Express","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050742","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: De Havilland Express","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Express","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["What primary manufacturer records establish the exact DH.86, DH.86A and DH.86B boundaries, including cockpit changes and retrospective modifications?","What configuration-specific dimensions, seating capacities, mass limits and performance figures can be verified from original manuals or test reports?","What do original investigations establish about stability, structural or control concerns, and which causal claims remain unresolved?","Which historical certification requirements, issuing authorities, restrictions and maintenance instructions applied in each operating jurisdiction?","What original airframe material, components or reconstructions survive, and what evidence establishes their identity, completeness and condition?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q1050742/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q1050742/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T09:02:04Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:25+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}