Heinkel HD 20
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1926 · light aircraft
The Heinkel HD 20 was a twin-engined, three-seat German biplane built in 1926 for civil survey work. HD stood for Heinkel Doppeldecker.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engined biplane whose upper wing spans 12.80 m against 8.80 m for the lower
- Two Wright Whirlwind radials on the interplane struts with cylinder heads protruding from the cowlings
- Three open cockpits, one in the nose, one under the upper wing and one behind its trailing edge
The upper wing is much larger than the lower, with long narrow ailerons on the upper wing only. The pilot sits behind the upper trailing edge, which has a shallow cut-out.
Specifications
- The Heinkel HD 20 has a length of 9.45 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 195 km/h (121 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was one of the early products of German aircraft firms after the Allied aviation ban was lifted. From a January 1927 magazine report, the first flight was probably in late 1926.
Variants
The number built is not known. The wheels could be replaced with floats.
Where you'll see it
One example, D-1157, was owned by an advertising agency and was destroyed on 21 November 1929. The type is also mentioned as a photographic survey aircraft in 1930.
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- Heinkel HD 22
- Heinkel HD 24
- Heinkel HD 28
- Heinkel HD 35
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