Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (KD)

Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1916 · fighter

The Hansa-Brandenburg D.I, also known as the KD (Kampf Doppeldecker), was a First World War single-seat biplane fighter designed by Ernst Heinkel. It is known for its star-strut interplane bracing.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Single-seat biplane fighter with the unusual 'star-strutter' interplane arrangement, four Vee struts meeting at the centre of each bay
• Deep fuselage with a single Schwarzlose machine gun in a fairing on the upper wing, firing over the propeller
• Water-cooled inline Austro-Daimler engine in the nose

A compact single-bay biplane fighter whose interplane struts form a star shape when seen from the front, with a deep slab-sided fuselage and a gun on the upper wing.

Specifications

• The Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (KD) has a length of 6.35 m (21 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 8.5 m (28 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 187 km/h (116 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Heinkel developed the KD in 1916 to meet Austro-Hungarian requirements. Despite poor handling, the deep fuselage blanketing the small rudder, Austria-Hungary ordered it as the D.I. Of 122 built, 50 came from Hansa-Brandenburg with 150 hp Austro-Daimlers and 72 from Phonix in Vienna with 185 hp engines.

Variants

The KDW was a floatplane fighter based on the KD, and the Phonix D.I was the licence-built version.

Where you'll see it

Used by Austria-Hungary, where some served until the end of the war, and later by Austria.

Related aircraft

• Hansa-Brandenburg FB
• Hansa-Brandenburg L14
• Airco DH.5
• Albatros D.I
• Albatros D.II
• Albatros D.IV

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