Glider manufacturers&o=10616

Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug

The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug, or DFS (German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight) was formed in 1933 to centralise all gliding activity in Germany. It was formed by the nationalisation of the Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft (RRG) at Darmstadt.

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 forerunner of 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 the "DFS brake".

(note the two list have not been synchronized (i.e. not all planes on both lists))

List of some major DFS aircraft projects (see list by year for a full listing):

(incomplete)

DFS aircraft on RLM-Gl/C (1933-1945) list of the Luftwaffe

(incomplete)

  • DFS 6, target glider (prototypes only), 1936
  • DFS 39, Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
  • DFS 40, Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
  • DFS 194, rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163
  • DFS 228, rocket-powered reconnaissance aircraft (prototype only)
  • DFS 230, transport glider
  • DFS 331, transport glider (prototype)
  • DFS-332
  • DFS 346, supersonic research aircraft (incomplete prototype only)

List of aircraft by year

originally developed under the name RRG

Developed under the name DFS

Gliders & Sailplanes Only List

See also

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