Häfeli DH-3

The Häfeli DH-3 was an 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
Following the poor performance of the DH-2, August Häfeli designed an improved version the Häfeli DH-3. It was basically the same airframe as the DH-2, the upper wing had a cut-out to give a greater field-of-fire for the pivoted machine-gun. It was a two-bay of wood and fabric construction, powered by a 120 hp (89 kW) Argus As II water-cooled inline engine. Initial problems with the landing gear and the engine cooling system led to modifications. Further developments were the re-engined and improved DH-3a, and the DH-3b used for engine trials. Following successful trials with an installation of the Handley Page slats all surviving DH-3as were modified in 1932.

Operational history
On 8 January 1919 a DH-3 inaugurated the firsts Swiss air mail service between Zurich and Berne. A DH-3 aircraft failed a structural test in 1923 which caused the DH-3 to be withdrawn from service. The DH-3a following modification remained in service until 1939.

Variants

 * DH-3
 * Initial production version with Argus As II engine, 24 built.


 * DH-3a
 * Improved version with Hispano-Suiza HS-41 8Aa engines, four aircraft ordered in 1919. A second order of 30 aircraft was placed in 1919 with licence built engines, a third order for 49 aircraft was placed in 1925. Survivors were modified at Thun in 1932 with Handley Page slats and changes to allow crew to wear parachutes.


 * DH-3b
 * Three aircraft powered by the indigenous 150 hp (112 kW) LFW 0 engine developed by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works were built in 1918.

Operators

 * Swiss Air Force
 * Swiss Air Force