Häfeli DH-1
| DH-1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Reconnaissance biplane |
| Manufacturer | K+W |
| Designer | August Häfeli |
| First flight | 1916 |
| Introduction | 1916 |
| Retired | 1919 |
| Primary user | Swiss Air Force |
| Number built | 6 |
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The Häfeli DH-1 was a 1910s Swiss two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, built by the aircraft department of the Federal Construction Works (Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette, K+W) at Thun, Switzerland.
Development and design
In 1915 K + W set up their aircraft department and employed August Häfeli as chief engineer. Häfeli had previously designed the AGO C.I and AGO C.II, German reconnaissance biplanes. His first design was the Häfeli DH-1, similar in concept to his designs for AGO Flugzeugwerke. The DH-1 was a three-bay biplane of wood and fabric construction, it had a fuselage pod with tandem seating for the two-man crew and twin booms mounting the tail. The DH-1 was powered by an Argus As II engine built under licence by Buhler Brothers Limited. Six aircraft were built.
Operational history
Six DH-1s were built during 1916 but within a year three had been destroyed in accidents. The survivors were withdrawn from service in 1919 and scrapped.
Operators
Specifications (DH-1)
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Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 28 ft 11¼in (8.82 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m)
- Height: 9 ft 10 in (3 m)
- Wing area: 409.04 ft² (38 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,653 lb (750 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 2,480 lb (1125 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Argus As II inline piston, 120 hp (89 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 78mph (126 km/h)
- Range: 155 miles (250 km)
- Service ceiling: 9,840 ft (3000 m)
Armament
- one 0.293 in (7.45 mm) machine-gun
References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.