AEG DJ.I

AEG · Germany · first flew 1918 · fighter

The AEG DJ.I was a prototype armoured biplane fighter built by AEG during the First World War for the Imperial German Air Service.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Two-bay biplane with wide I-shaped interplane struts
• Armoured fuselage integral with protection for pilot, engine and fuel tank
• Two 7.92 mm machine guns and four small bombs

It was meant to attack enemy ground-attack aircraft at low altitude, so it was armoured itself. The wide struts replaced bracing wires to reduce vulnerability to anti-aircraft fire.

Specifications

• The AEG DJ.I has a length of 6.9 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

It was derived from the unsuccessful AEG PE triplane and shared its armoured fuselage, armament and engine. Flight testing did not begin until August 1918.

Variants

The first prototype had a 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb V8 and the second a 245 hp Maybach Mb.IVa straight-six.

Where you'll see it

Three prototypes were ordered, but only two are known to have been completed before the end of the war in November 1918.

Related aircraft

• AEG G.V
• AEG J.II
• AEG R.I
• AEG C.VII
• Adamoli-Cattani Fighter
• Albatros C.XIV
• Albatros D.VI
• Albatros D.X

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.