Albatros D.II
Albatros · German Empire · first flew 1916 · fighter
The Albatros D.II was a German single-seat biplane fighter that refined the D.I design and helped Germany regain air superiority on the Western Front in late 1916. It was an important step in the Albatros D-series lineage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Semi-monocoque plywood fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German WWI sesquiplane fighter
- Semi-monocoque plywood fuselage
- Lower radiator moved from upper to side of fuselage vs D.I
A sesquiplane fighter with a rounded wooden semi-monocoque fuselage, twin synchronized Spandau machine guns, and side-mounted radiators flanking the inline engine.
Specifications
- The Albatros D.II has a length of 7.35 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in late 1916, the D.II addressed some handling deficiencies of the D.I, primarily by repositioning the radiators from the upper wing to the fuselage sides to improve forward visibility. It equipped many leading German Jagdstaffeln during the Bloody April period.
Variants
The D.II was quickly followed by the improved D.III with a sesquiplane lower wing, and later by the definitive D.V; the D.II itself saw limited but important operational service.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Imperial German Luftstreitkräfte on the Western Front in 1916–1917, operated by prominent aces including Oswald Boelcke.
Related aircraft
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