Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug explained
The de|'''Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug'''|term1=German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight |term2=German Institute for Glider Research, or DFS, was formed in 1933 to centralise all gliding activity in Germany, under the directorship of Professor Walter Georgii. It was formed by the nationalisation of the Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft (RRG) at Darmstadt.[1] The DFS was involved in producing training sailplanes for the Hitler Youth and Luftwaffe, as well as conducting research into advanced technologies such as flying wings and rocket propulsion. Notable DFS-produced aircraft include the DFS 230 transport glider (1600+ produced), the German counterpart to the British Airspeed Horsa glider, and the DFS 194, similar to the famous Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket fighter.
In 1938, following a fatal accident at the Wasserkuppe, DFS held a competition to design a more effective speed brake for gliders. The final design, produced by Wolfgang and Ulrich Hütter of Schempp-Hirth, is used to this day and generally referred to as "Schempp-Hirth airbrakes".
List of some major DFS aircraft projects
- DFS Model 6
Target glider (prototypes only), 1936
- DFS Model 12 : see Argus As 292 1937
DFS 39 : Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 40 : Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 193 : experimental aircraft
DFS 194 : rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163
DFS 228 : HIGH-ALTITUDE rocket-powered reconnaissance aircraft (prototype only)
DFS 230 : transport glider (1600 produced)
DFS 331 : transport glider (prototype)
DFS 332
DFS 346 : supersonic research aircraft
Stamer-Lippisch Zögling 1 : basic trainer
DFS Hangwind : (Ridge Lift), basic trainer (twin boom)
DFS Professor : high-performance sailplane
DFS E 32 : sailplane
Einheitsschulflugzeug : (Standard Flight Trainer), glider, basic flight trainer (foldable tail)
DFS Fliege IIa : (Fly), sailplane
DFS Jacht 71 : Amphibious sailplane
DFS Condor : high-performance sailplane
DFS Rhönadler : (Eagle of the Rhön), high-performance sailplane
DFS Stanavo : high-performance sailplane
DFS Weihe : high-performance sailplane
DFS Zögling 33 : basic training glider
DFS Hol's der Teufel : (To Hell With It!), training glider
DFS Moazag'otl : high-performance sailplane
DFS Rhönbussard : sailplane
DFS São Paulo : high-performance sailplane
DFS Präsident : (President), high-performance sailplane
DFS Rhönsperber : high-performance sailplane
DFS Zögling 35 : updated version of the Zögling basic trainer
DFS Habicht : aerobatic sail-plane
DFS Kranich : (Crane), two-seat sailplane
Schulgleiter 38 : basic training glider
DFS B6 : high-performance sailplane
DFS Ha III : high-performance sailplane
DFS Reiher : high-performance sailplane
DFS Olympia Meise : high-performance sailplane
DFS Seeadler : (sea eagle), flying boat sailplane
DFS Rammer : aerial ramming plane project powered by a solid rocket engine
DFS Eber : parasite fighter project
Legacy of the DFS
The modern DLR still does research into gliding flight, as the DFS once did. An example of this is their enlarged 17-meter wingspan Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan high-performance glider, used to precisely set and measure comparative glider performance parameters.[2]
See also
Notes and References
- Reitsch, H., 1955, The Sky My Kingdom, London: Biddles Limited, Guildford and King's Lynn,
- Web site: DLR Home – Aeronautics – Research Aircraft: DG 300 Elan-17 . . April 21, 2011 . dlr.de . Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) . November 13, 2013.
