Doflug D-3802

The Doflug D‑3802, produced by Dornier Werke Altenrhein in the early 1940s, was a modest yet pivotal step in the evolution of Swiss light aviation. Conceived as a tribute to the earlier D‑3801, the D‑3802 entered service in 1943 as a two‑seat, low‑wing monoplane intended for pilot training, liaison duties, and civilian sport flying. Its airframe combined a welded steel‑tube fuselage with wooden wings covered in fabric, a construction method that balanced strength and low weight. Powered by a 115 hp Lycoming O‑320 engine, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 210 km/h, a service ceiling of 4 800 m, and a range of roughly 850 km—sufficient for both cross‑country trips and short‑range military sorties.

The D‑3802’s handling was praised for its stability and gentle stall characteristics, making it an ideal platform for novice aviators. Although only about 150 units were built before production ceased in 1946, the type left a lasting imprint on post‑war Swiss aviation by fostering a homegrown pilot pool and demonstrating Dornier’s capacity to adapt wartime expertise to peacetime needs. Its legacy endures in the training philosophies and design principles that shaped subsequent Swiss aircraft.