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Phönix D.I, D.II, and D.III
Phönix D.I 228.45
Phönix D.I
Role Biplane fighter
National origin Austria-Hungary
Manufacturer Phönix Flugzeug-Werke
First flight 1917
Primary user KuKLFT
Number built 158

The Phönix D.I was an Austro-Hungarian First World War biplane fighter built by the Phönix Flugzeug-Werke and based on the Hansa-Brandenburg D.I.[1]

Development[]

The Phönix D.I was the second design developed by the Phönix Flugzeug-Werke based on Hansa-Brandenburg designs which it has produced under licence.[2] The D.I was a single-seat biplane fighter with improvements over the original Hansa-Brandenburg design which included more efficient wings, a more powerful engine and structural improvements.[2] A prototype was first flown in 1917 and proved to be fast but difficult to handle but because of the urgent need for fighters the D.I entered production. To improve the problems a modified variant, the D.II was introduced with balanced elevators and balanced ailerons on the upper wings. A further development was the D.III which had balanced ailerons on both wings and a more powerful 230 hp (172 kW) Hiero in-line engine. The last of 158 aircraft of all three types was delivered on 4 November 1918.[citation needed]

Variants[]

D.I
Initial production variant with a 200hp (149kW) Hiero inline engine.[2]
D.II
Improved variant with balanced elevators and balanced ailerons on the upper wings.[2]
D.III
Improved variant with balanced ailerons on both wings and powered by a 230hp (172kW) Hiero in-line engine.[2]

Operators[]

Phonix D III

Phönix D.III of the Swedish Air Force

Flag of Austria-Hungary 1869-1918 Austria-Hungary
Flag of Sweden Sweden
Flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Specifications (D.1)[]

Data from Orbis 1985, page 2700

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.65 m (21 ft 9¾ in)
  • Wingspan: 9.75 m (31 ft 11¾ in)
  • Height: 2.80 m (9 ft 2¼ in)
  • Gross weight: 805 kg (1775 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hiero 6-cylinder inline piston, 149 kW (200 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
  • Endurance: 2 hours  0 min
  • Service ceiling: 6000 m (19,685 ft)

Armament

  • 2 x Synchronised fixed forward-firing 8 mm Schwarzlose machine guns
  • References[]

    1. "Phönix D.I". The Aerodome. http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/austrhun/phonix_di.php. Retrieved 25 April 2013. 
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lamberton, 1960. p 22.

    Bibliography[]

    • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 
    • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 
    • Lamberton, W.M. (1960). Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Herts: Harleyford Publications Ltd.. pp. 22–23. 
    All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
    The original article can be found at Phönix D.I and the edit history here.
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