Albatros D.I
Albatros Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1916 · fighter
The Albatros D.I was the first of the highly successful Albatros D-series single-seat sesquiplane fighters of World War I, introducing a streamlined plywood semi-monocoque fuselage that gave it superior performance to many Allied contemporaries when it entered service in late 1916.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | WWI German single-seat sesquiplane fighter with plywood monocoque fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German single-seat sesquiplane fighter with plywood monocoque fuselage
- Streamlined oval fuselage cross-section distinguishing it from fabric-covered contemporaries
- Twin synchronised Spandau machine guns mounted on the upper fuselage decking
Streamlined oval-section plywood fuselage with a distinctive curved spine, sesquiplane wings with the upper wing substantially larger than the lower, and twin Spandau guns visible on the upper fuselage decking forward of the cockpit.
Specifications
- The Albatros D.I has a length of 7.4 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 175 km/h (109 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in September 1916, the D.I was developed rapidly in response to the appearance of the Allied Nieuport 11 and DH.2. Its semi-monocoque fuselage was a significant structural advance, and the sesquiplane layout reduced drag. It was quickly succeeded by the refined D.II and D.III but set the pattern for all subsequent Albatros fighters.
Variants
The D.I was closely followed by the D.II, D.III, D.V, and D.Va; the D.III with its V-strut sesquiplane wing was the most widely produced variant.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Imperial German Army Air Service on the Western Front from late 1916, operated by many leading aces of the period.
Related aircraft
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