| Weihe | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS) Jacobs-Schweyer Focke-Wulf |
| Designer | Hans Jacobs |
| First flight | 1938 |
| Introduction | 1938 |
| Status | No longer in production |
| Produced | 1938-after World War II |
| Number built | More than 400 |
The DFS 108 Weihe (English: Harrier) is a German single seat, high-wing, 18 metre wingspan, high performance glider that was designed by Hans Jacobs in 1937-38.[1][2]
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Jacobs designed the Weihe to be the pre-eminent performance glider of its era and indeed it captured many championships and set many records, until its performance was surpassed at the end of the 1950s. Even today it is considered one of the "classic sailplane designs".[1][2]
The Weihe is of wooden construction with aircraft fabric covering on the wing trailing edges and the control surfaces. The spar is built from Baltic Pine, with a birch leading edge D-cell, the fuselage and the fixed portions of the tail surfaces. The airfoil is a modified Gö 549-M.2 section. Early versions took off from a dolly and landed on a fixed skid, while later versions has a fixed wheel and skid undercarriage. Originally fitted with DFS-style airbrakes, some were later modified for Schempp-Hirth style brakes instead. The aircraft incorporates a unique rigging system which was widely copied in later gliders.[1][2]
Initially the aircraft was produced by Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS) (English: German Research Institute for Soaring Flight) and later by Jacobs-Schweyer. Post World War II it was produced by Focke-Wulf as well as in France, Spain, Sweden and Yugoslavia. Production of the Weihe totaled over 400 aircraft.[1][2]
The Weihe won the World Gliding Championships in 1948 and 1950. It was used to set many world and national records, including the world record for altitude gain in 1959 of 9,665 m (31,709 ft).[1][2]
Dick Johnson won the US National Soaring Championships in 1959, flying a Weihe.[2]
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring Magazine[1][2]
General characteristics
Performance
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