Dornier D-3802

01/31/2010. During 1942, the A.G. für Dornier-Flugzeuge (Swiss Dornier works, also known as Doflug) of Altenrhein received a contract to design a single-seat multi-role fighter to follow on production of the D-3801 (a license-built version of the Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406). The design emerged as the
D-3802, and was a development of the Morane-Saulnier M.S.450, and the type is also referred to as the Morane-Saulnier M.S.540.

Powered by an 1,250 hp Saurer (license-built Hispano-Suiza) YS-2 twelve-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the D-3802 was of all-metal monocoque stressed-skin construction and carried an armament of one engine-mounted 0.787 in (20 mm) cannon and four wing-mounted machine guns. The prototype (s/n J-401) flew for the first time on September 29, 1944.

A pre-series of twelve aircraft was ordered, designated D-3802A and s/n J-403 to J-414, these having modified outer wing panels of reduced span, but similar area, and the wing-mounted machine guns replaced by a pair of 0.787 in (20 mm) cannon. The first D-3802A flew on May 18, 1946, while J-405 was built as the prototype of the D-3803.

The eleven D-3802s served with Fliegerstaffel 17 until 1956. The prototype J-401 was also delivered to the Swiss AF, on January 1, 1948, and was withdrawn from use on February 17, 1956.