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Hafeli DH-2

1916 WORLD WAR 1

History of the Hafeli DH-2

Eidgenossische Konstruktionswerkstatte (K+W) just moved out of Switzerland from the 1916 DH-1 two-armed reconnaissance biplane design (detailed elsewhere on this site) Concerned about possible An improved successor, aptly named "DH-2", Arthur Hafeli once again spearheaded the new development. Flying the same year as its predecessor, the DH-2 adopted a more traditional in-line design, eliminating the two-arm approach, but still relied on a biplane main aircraft structure and a two-person crew.

Like the DH-1 before it, the DH-2 was produced in a limited number of six aircraft and only served for a short time with the Swiss Air Force.

The 1916 DH-2 followed, designed along the lines of the reconnaissance platform. The engine is located in the nose for the tow/tow function, rather than the DH-1's trailer/push configuration at the rear of the center nacelle. A pair of open-air cockpits allow for two crew members, pilot and observer.

The large aircraft used the typical top-bottom layout of the time and had two cabins with parallel struts. Most of the designs use fabrics with wooden structures. The tail consists of a small surface vertical fin and a pair of horizontal planes.

Fixed two-leg/two-wheel landing gear with tail skid for ground operation.

While its initial prototype was equipped with a 100 hp German Mercedes D.I engine, the main power for the series eventually came from a 120 hp liquid-cooled Argus As II inline-piston engine driving a wooden propeller on the nose Leaf (with earlier DH-1). Estimated performance figures include a top speed of 75 mph, a range of up to 150 miles and a service ceiling of about 30,000 feet.

All in all, the design didn't live up to expectations, mostly performance sacrifices that resulted in no mass production being ordered. This leaves only the six complete airframes mentioned above, which were used exclusively by the Swiss Air Force for pilot training until 1922 - by then they were all decommissioned and scrapped.

Specification

Basics

Years in Service

1916

Origins

Switzerland

Status

retirement

does not work.

Crew

Production

Manufacturer

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

Carrier

Switzerland

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts

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

Distinctive Features

Multi-wing

Added more main aircraft to improve inherent agility and provide tactical advantage in close combat.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

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

Rescue 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. 2 feet

(8.00m)

Width/span

38.4 feet

(11.70m)

Height

10. 2 feet

(3.10m)

Cured weight

1,653 lbs

(750kg)

MTOW

2,425 lbs

(1,100 kg)

Wgt Difference

+772 lbs

(+350 kg)

MAINPLANE 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-2)