Hafeli DH-3

History of the Hafeli DH-3

The 1917 Hafeli DH-3 is a logical continuation of August Hafeli's work on the previous two-armed DH-1 biplane and the conventionally designed DH-2 biplane scout Swiss Air Force platforms (both detailed elsewhere on this page). None were completely successful and crossed the Swiss border in their day, but laid the groundwork for DH-3 and others to follow.

The resulting design was further distributed in series production in three main variants, reaching a total of 110 units.

As in the previous entry, the DH-3 features an open-air two-seat cockpit layout and upper and lower biplane wing configuration. The engine is mounted on the nose as usual, and the main aircraft has two cradles with parallel struts.

Ground taxiing uses a simple fixed two-wheel landing gear with tail skid. In all respects, the DH-3 was developed as an improvement on the earlier DH-2, with the same configuration, materials (fabric instead of wood) and layout.

Changes include a new cut-out section of the upper wing to improve cockpit visibility, as well as an improved firing arc for the gunner.

Specification

Basics

Years in Service

1917

Origins

Switzerland

Status

retirement

does not work.

Crew

2

Production

110

Manufacturer

Swiss Federal Design Studio (K+W) / Hafeli - Switzerland

Operator

Switzerland

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Notable Features

Strong Aircraft Frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Rating Process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Crew management

In addition to the pilot, the aircraft also employs additional crew members who specialize in specific functions on the aircraft.

Rifle positions

Defensive weapon location for attack/suppression.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

26. 1 ft

(7.95m)

Width/span

41. 0 feet

(12.50m)

Height

10. 2 feet

(3.10m)

Cured weight

2,447 lbs

(1,110 kg)

MTOW

3,527 lbs

(1,600 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?1,080

(+490kg)

Main surface structure

wings/up/down/straight

Biplane

The design features a biplane wing arrangement with one main plane element on top of the other. Biplanes have improved agility at the expense of increased drag.

up and down

Two main aircraft configurations where elements are stacked and positioned at different points on the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

(Structural descriptors refer to production variant Basis Hafeli DH-3)

Performance

Installed:

Early: 1 x Argus As II 120 hp liquid-cooled in-line piston engine driving a twin-blade, fixed-pitch, nose-mounted propeller. Late: 1 x Hispano-Suiza 8Aa V-8 150hp liquid-cooled in-line piston engine driving a twin-bladed propeller on the nose.

Maximum speed

90 km/h

(145 km/h | 78 knots)

Cruising speed

75 km/h

(120 km/h | 65 kn)

Maximum speed difference

+26 km/h

(+25 km/h | 13 kn)

Maximum

14,764 feet

(4,500 m | 3 km)

Area

249 km

(400 km | 741 nautical miles)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

1 x 7.45mm machine gun mounted on a trainable mount in the observer/gunner cockpit.