Häfeli DH-2
Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte (K+W) · Switzerland · first flew 1916 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Häfeli DH-2 was Switzerland's first indigenously designed and built military aircraft, a two-seat reconnaissance biplane that entered service with the Swiss Army Air Corps in 1916 and represented the start of Swiss military aviation production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- two-seat tractor biplane of Swiss design
- fabric-covered wooden structure
- observer in front cockpit, pilot behind
Typical two-bay WWI tractor biplane with equal-span wings and a rounded fuselage cross-section; Swiss national markings (white cross on red) are the clearest identifier. Distinguished from German and French contemporaries by construction details and the Swiss cross insignia.
Specifications
- The Häfeli DH-2 has a length of 7.5 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.8 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 152 km/h (94 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
August Häfeli designed the DH-2 at the federal construction workshop (K+W) at Thun as Switzerland moved to establish domestic aircraft production rather than relying on imports. The DH-2 was a conventional tractor biplane of its era, powered by a single piston engine, and served as an observation and training aircraft. It led to a series of progressively refined Häfeli designs through to the DH-5.
Variants
The DH-2 was followed by the DH-3, DH-4, and DH-5 in a continuous development line; the DH-2 itself had only minor production variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Swiss Army Air Corps from 1916 for reconnaissance and training, helping to establish the foundations of Swiss military aviation.
Related aircraft
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