W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

PHONIX 20.14 Austria-Hungary

   Shortly after commencing licence manufacture of the Brandenburg D I, the Phonix-Flugzeugwerke initiated work on an "improved fighter with a Nieuport (ie, sesquiplane] cellule” under the design leadership of Dipl-Ing Kirste. The prototype, completed early in December 1916, utilised the fuselage of Brandenburg D I 28.48 (48th 28-Series fighter) to which was applied a deepened forward portion eliminating the centre-section cabane of bracing struts. This was mated with an enlarged-area upper wing and shorter-span narrow-chord lower wing to provide the desired sesquiplane cellule. Crashed during flight testing on 16 January 1917, the prototype was rebuilt, redesignated 20.14 (ie, 14th experimental aircraft produced by Phonix), and fitted with modified ailerons and a new, lengthened fuselage. Retaining the 185 hp Austro-Daimler six-cylinder water-cooled engine, the 20.14 entered flight test in June 1917, proving to possess an inferior climb rate to the parallel 20.15. The sole 20.14 was eventually sold to the Navy and flown from Trieste.

Empty weight (approx), 1,466 lb (665 kg).
Loaded weight (approx), 2,028 lb (920 kg).
Span, 28 ft 2 3/5 in (8,60 m).
Length, 20 ft 8 in (6,30 m).
Height, 8 ft 11 1/2 in (2,73 m).
Wing area, 209.9 sq ft (19,50 m 2).


  
PHONIX 20.16 Austria-Hungary

   Destined to be Dipl-Ing Kirste’s final attempt to produce a successful single-seat fighter of sesquiplane configuration, the 20.16 mated a Brandenburg D I (ex 28.73) fuselage with a new wing cellule (as did the 20.14). The wings featured rounded tips and the upper wing, which utilised a new high-lift profile, was set lower on the fuselage to improve forward view for the pilot. The 20.16 was fitted with a 200 hp Austro-Daimler engine and was flight tested in the late spring of 1917, but, having failed to demonstrate desirable characteristics, by June of that year it was undergoing reconstruction with a Sparmann-designed biplane cellule similar to that of the 20.15. In this form it was to become the true prototype of the Phonix D I. No data are available apart from the wing span of 31 ft 6 in (9,60 m).

P.Grosz, G.Haddow, P.Shiemer Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One

Phonix 20.14

  In late 1916, at a time when the first Phonix-built Brandenburg D.I fighters were under construction, Diplom-Ingenieur Kirste was already busy adapting a wireless Nieuport wing cellule to the airframe to improve the flight characteristics. The Nieuport sesquiplane configuration had made a deep impression on German and Austro-Hungarian engineers, but most were unaware that the design worked best with light, rotary-engined fighters because in-line engined versions were simply too heavy. The drawings and technical specifications for the "improved D.I" were finished in November 1916 and one month later, the prototype was rolled out. Kirste had modified a production D.I airframe (28.48) by raising the fuselage to the level of the upper wing, thereby eliminating the center-section struts. The area of the upper wing was increased. The narrow lower wing was supported by a single V-strut and a slanted fuselage brace. The 28.48 prototype, powered by a 185 hp Daimler engine, was tested by Hauptmann Karl Nikitsch. A crash on 16 January 1917 damaged the prototype before the trials were completed.
  The rebuilt airframe, now designated 20.14, was fitted with a new, longer fuselage, modified ailerons and a redesigned tail. A pair of additional wing struts served to dampen vibration. Flight trials which began in June 1917 demonstrated speed superior to the production Brandenburg D.I(Ph) but the rate of climb was inferior to that recorded by the Sparmann-winged Phonix 20.15 prototype. In spite of structural simplicity, reduced drag and better visibility, Phonix soon jettisoned the sesquiplane concept in favor of Sparmann's more robust and efficient wing cellule.
  On 20 August 1917, the 20.14, on loan to the Navy, was reported damaged by Linienschiffsleutnant Wenzel Wosecek during a night landing exercise at Trieste. Another crash was reported in October 1917, after which the 20.14 was repaired and, according to unconfirmed reports, sold to the Navy.

Phonix 20.14 (28.48) Specifications (First Version)
Engine: 185 Daimler
Wing: Span Upper 8.60 m (28.21 ft)
Span Lower 6.00 m (19.68 ft)
Chord Upper 1.70 m (5.58 ft)
Chord Lower 1.00 m (3.28 ft)
Dihedral Upper 0 deg
Dihedral Lower 2 deg
Sweepback Upper 0 deg
Sweepback Lower 0 deg
Gap 1.40 m (4.59 ft)
Total Wing Area 19.5 sq m (210 sq ft)
General: Length 6.30 m (20.67 ft)
Height 2.73 m (8.96 ft)
Track 1.72 m (5.64 ft)
Empty Weight ca 665 kg (1466 lb)
Loaded Weight ca 920 kg (2029 lb)


Phonix 20.16

  In February 1917, Kirste designed an improved Nieuport wing cellule for the 20.16 fighter prototype. The wings were given a high-lift profile and refined wingtip contours. The upper wing was set lower on the fuselage for better visibility. The fuselage was taken from production airframe 28.73. In spite of using the more powerful 200 hp Daimler engine, the Phonix 20.16 did not demonstrate acceptable fighter characteristics when tested in April-May 1917, effectively putting a halt to development of the sesquiplane concept.
  The 20.16 was returned to Phonix for modification in June. Further improving on the 20.15 cellule, Sparmann changed the rib profile and made the lower and upper wings of unequal chord. A re-designed center section provided greater strength. After flight tests and inspection by Uzelac in August 1917, the 20.16 was pronounced "ripe for production." Considered the true prototype of the Phonix D.I fighter, 20.16 flight investigation continued through February 1918.

Phonix 20.16 Specifications (First Version)
Engine: 200 hp Daimler
Wing: Span Upper 9.60 m (31.50 ft)
Span Lower 6.60 m (21.65 ft)
Chord Upper 2.00 m (6.56 ft)
Chord Lower 1.20 m (3.94 ft)
General: Track 1.72 m (5.64 ft)

E.Hauke, W.Schroeder, B.Totschinger Die Flugzeuge der k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppe und Seeflieger 1914-1918

20. Flugzeuge der Phönix-Flugzeugwerke, vormals Österr. Albatros
20.14 Brandenburg KD (Flügelversuch mit ex 28.48) Dm 185
20.16 Phönix D Prototyp (Rumpf ex 28.73) Dm 200

Kampfflugboote
20.14 Phönix Prototyp (ex Type KD 28.48) Dm 185