Phonix D (Series) Fighter Aircraft (1917)
The Phonix D-series proved a dependable aircraft once her handling kinks were worked out.
Phonix had already garnered some much-needed experience in the production of fighter aircraft for the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War 1, ultimately producing some 22 different aircraft types during the course of the war. Its early forays were in manufacturing aircraft for other companies (including Albatros and Hansa-Brandenburg) while, in its later ventures, the firm broke free and produced their own wartime designs. By the beginning of 1917, Phonix Flugzeug-Werke jumped at the chance to replace the outclassed Hansa-Brandenburg D.I. The result was the Phonix D.I, an aircraft not too dissimilar from the Hansa-Brandenburg product it looked to replace.
The D.I was of a conventional biplane wing configuration featuring single bays with parallel struts angled forward. The front of the fuselage was dominated by the engine and cooling system, consisting of a Hiero liquid-cooled, 6-cylinder inline engine developing 200 horsepower (D.I). The cockpit, with seating for one, was situated directly aft of the powerplant compartment. The fuselage featured slab facings with some curvature under the engine to help promote aerodynamic qualities. The fuselage ended rather abruptly into the empennage which itself sported a unique collection of angular tail fins. The undercarriage was made up of two main landing wheels braced to the underside of the fuselage while a simple tail skid was fitted under the empennage. In all, the D.I was a stout and small design and, like other Phonix designs - was not going to win any beauty contests. Armament revolved around two forward-firing fixed 8mm Schwarlose machine guns. The D.I showcased a wingspan was 29 feet, 6.5 inches with the aircrafts top speed listed at 112 miles per hour. Endurance was rated at about 2 hours of flight time while a ceiling of 19,685 feet was possible.
In practice, the early form version of the D.I proved something of a disappointment. Though well-armed, relatively fast and offering good vision, the aircraft exhibited poor climbing capabilities, was difficult to maneuver and had some structural weaknesses. These limitations allowed the D.I to be used somewhat effectively as a photo-reconnaissance platform early in her service life.
Maneuverability was addressed through the introduction of the improved D.II variant fitting balanced elevators and ailerons. The D.II was itself further improved in the D.III. The D.III featured balanced ailerons on both wing assemblies as well as a Hiero inline engine of 230 horsepower. The D.III initially appeared on March 15th, 1918 with the final product delivered on November 4th, 1918. Ultimately, the D.-series, as a whole, proved serviceable and ended up a reliable and resilient mount. Pilots were quick to make use of her above-average diving capabilities in a fight.
The Phonix D-series was utilized by the Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops (KuKLFT) of Austria-Hungary as well as their naval branch. The air force and naval versions both entered service at the same time. Sweden became the only other operator of the aircraft, this in a post-war role and of the D.III variety. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Phonix D (Series)
Fighter Aircraft
Country of Origin: Imperial Germany
Manufacturer: Phonix Flugzeug-Werke - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1917
Production: 208
Focus Model: Phonix D.I
Crew: 1
Length: 21.72ft (6.62m)
Width: 31.17ft (9.50m)
Height: 9.15ft (2.79m)
Weight (Empty): 1,411lbs (640kg)
Weight (MTOW): 1,775lbs (805kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Hiero liquid-cooled 6-cylinder inline engine delivering 200 horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 112mph (180kmh; 97kts)
Maximum Range: 87miles (140km)
Service Ceiling: 19,685ft (6,000m; 3.7miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
2 x 8mm Schwarzlose synchronized machine guns
Variants:
D.I - Base Production Series Designation; fitting Hiero inline engine of 200 horsepower; 2 x 8mm machine guns; 50 examples produced.
D.II - Balanced ailerons (upper wing) and elevators.
D.III (Type 9) - Balanced ailersons (both wings); fitting Hiero inline engine of 230 horsepower.
Operators: Austria-Hungary; Sweden
BY DECADE:
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• 2020 to 2029
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Aircraft
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
• Attack Helicopters
• Bomber Aircraft
• Medium Bombers
• Heavy Bombers
• Close-Air Support (CAS)
• Commercial Aircraft
• Dive Bombers
• Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA)
• Experimental / X-Planes
• Fighter Aircraft
• Floatplane Aircraft
• Flying Boat Aircraft
• Aerial Refueling Tankers
• Helicopters (ALL)
• Interceptor Aircraft
• Multi-Role Aircraft
• Navy Carrier Aircraft
• Night Fighters
• Reconnaissance / Scout
• Search & Rescue (SAR)
• Scout Helicopters
• Special Purpose
• Torpedo Bombers
• Trainer Aircraft
• Transport Aircraft
• Transport Helicopters
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs)
COLLECTIONS:
• 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• US X-Planes
• Classic US Warbirds
• French Military Helicopters
• Grumman "Cats"
• Howard Hughes Aircraft
• Indian Air Force
• Israeli Air Force
• Libyan Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Fighters
• Modern Military Aircraft
• Modern North Korean Aircraft
• Modern Trainer Aircraft
• Modern US Aircraft
• Mikoyan Aircraft
• Sukhoi Aircraft
• Syrian Aircraft
• Top 10 Fighter Aircraft of All Time
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT:
• Arab-Israeli War (1948)
• Cuban Missile Crisis (1959-1962)
• Falklands War (1982)
• Indo-Pak War (1965, 1971)
• Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
• Lebanon War (1982)
• Operation Allied Force (1999)
• Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• Six Day War (1967)
• Spanish Civil War (1936)
• Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
• Yom Kippur War (1973)
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Aircraft Cockpits
• Aircraft Manufacturers List
• Aircraft Timeline
WORLD WAR 2:
• 1939 Aircraft
• 1940 Aircraft
• 1941 Aircraft
• 1942 Aircraft
• 1943 Aircraft
• 1944 Aircraft
• 1945 Aircraft
• 1946 Aircraft
• Australian Aircraft
• Battle of Britain Aircraft
• Bombers
• Four-Engine Bombers
• British Aircraft
• British Bombers
• British Transports
• Dive Bombers
• Canadian Aircraft
• Fighters
• Chinese Aircraft
• French Aircraft
• German Aircraft
• German Fighters
• German Flying Boats
• German Jets
• Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe
• Italian Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Fighters
• Mitsubishi Bombers
• Navy Aircraft
• Pearl Harbor
• Polish Aircraft
• Romanian Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Navy Aircraft
• Soviet Aircraft
• Torpedo Bombers
• Transport Aircraft
• Tuskegee Airmen Aircraft
• W.A.S.P. Aircraft
• WW2 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• 1914 Aircraft
• 1915 Aircraft
• 1916 Aircraft
• 1917 Aircraft
• 1918 Aircraft
• Aircraft Timeline
• Austro-Hungarian Aircraft
• Bomber Aircraft
• British Aircraft
• Fighters
• Flying Boats
• French Aircraft
• Imperial German Aircraft
• Italian Aircraft
• Scout Aircraft
• Russian Empire Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• WW1 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Australian Aircraft
• Korean War Aces
• Korean War Jets
• North Korean Aircraft
• US Military Aircraft
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
• Helicopters
• North Vietnam Air Force
• US Airpower
• VIEW ALL
COLD WAR:
• 1950s French Aircraft
• British V-Bombers
• Cold War Bombers
• Soviet Aircraft
• Soviet Bombers
• Soviet Interceptors
• Soviet Helicopters
• Strategic Air Command
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Interceptors
• VIEW ALL
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
