Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug

Logo of the 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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 "Schempp-Hirth brake".

(note the two lists 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 Habicht
• DFS Kranich
• DFS 108 Weihe

• DFS Mo 6, target glider (prototypes only), 1936
• DFS Mo 12, see Argus As 292, 1937
• 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

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

• 1926
  • Stamer-Lippisch Zögling 1 basic trainer
• 1927
  • DFS Hangwind (Ridge Lift), basic trainer (twin boom)
• 1928
  • DFS Professor I, high-performance sailplane
• 1929
  • DFS Professor II, high-performance sailplane
• 1931
  • DFS E 32, sailplane
  • Jacht 71 (Yacht), sailplane
• 1932
  • DFS Condor II, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Rhönadler (Eagle of the Rhön), high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Stanavo, high-performance sailplane

Developed under the name DFS

• 1933
  • DFS Zögling 33 basic training glider
  • DFS Moazag'otl, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Rhönbussard, sailplane
• 1934
  • DFS São Paulo, high-performance sailplane
• 1935
  • DFS Condor III, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Kranich II (Crane), two seat soaring plane
  • DFS Rhönsperber, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Zögling 35 updated version of the Zögling basic trainer
• 1936
  • DFS Habicht, aerobatic sail-plane
  • DFS Kranich (Crane), two-seat sailplane
• 1937
  • DFS 230, transport glider (1600 produced)
• 1938
  • Schulgleiter 38 basic training glider
  • DFS B6, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Ha III, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS Reiher, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS 108 Weihe, high-performance sailplane
  • DFS 194, rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163
• 1939
  • DFS Olympia Meise, high-performance sailplane
• 1942
  • DFS 228, rocket aircraft (research project only)
• 1943
  • DFS 331, transport (research project only)
• 1944
  • DFS 346, rocket interceptor, (research project only)

Gliders & Sailplanes Only List

• DFS Hangwind, basic trainer (twin-boom)
• DFS Zögling basic training glider
• Schulgleiter 38 basic training glider

• DFS E 32, sailplane
• DFS Rhönbussard (Buzzard of the Rhön), sailplane

• Jacht 71 (Yacht), flying boat sailplane
• DFS Seeadler (sea eagle), flying boat sailplane

• DFS Kranich, Two-seat sailplane
• DFS Kranich II, two seat soaring plane

• DFS Habicht, aerobatics sailplane

• DFS Professor I, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Professor II, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Condor II, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Rhönadler (Eagle of the Rhön), high-performance sailplane
• DFS Stanavo, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Moazag'otl, high-performance sailplane
• DFS São Paulo, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Condor III, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Rhönsperber, high-performance sailplane
• DFS B6, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Ha III, high-performance sailplane
• DFS Reiher, high-performance sailplane
• DFS 108 Weihe, high-performance sailplane

• DFS Olympia Meise, Olympic class sailplane

• DFS 230, military transport glider/airborne assault glider (1600 produced)
• DFS 331, military transport glider/airborne assault glider project

See also

• List of Gliders
• List of aircraft of the WW2 Luftwaffe
• Glider manufacturers