Phönix D.I

Phönix D.I, D.II, and D.III
Role	Biplane fighter
National origin	Austria-Hungary
Manufacturer	Phönix Flugzeug-Werke
First flight	Template:Avyear
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.

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. 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. 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 230hp (172kW) Hiero in-line engine. The last of 158 aircraft of all three types was delivered on 4 November 1918.

Variants

D.I

Initial production variant with a 200hp (149kW) Hiero inline engine.

D.II

Improved variant with balanced elevators and balanced ailerons on the upper wings.

D.III

Improved variant with balanced ailerons on both wings and powered by a 230hp (172kW) Hiero in-line engine.

Operators

Austria-Hungary

• KuKLFT
• Austro-Hungarian Navy

Sweden

• Swedish Air Force

Specifications (variant)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1

Performance

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)