The Heinkel HD 17 was a military reconnaissance aircraft produced in Germany in the late 1920s. It was a conventional single-bay biplane with staggered wings of unequal span braced with N-type interplane struts. The pilot and observer sat in tandem, open cockpits, and the main units of the fixed, tailskid undercarriage were linked by a cross-axle. In 1926, it was evaluated by the Reichswehr to equip the secret aviation training school at Lipetsk, and was selected in favour of the competing Albatros L 65. Seven aircraft were purchased and used briefly for training until replaced by more modern designs.