Albatros Dr.I

Albatros · German Empire · first flew 1917 · fighter

The Albatros Dr.I was a German First World War triplane fighter, built in 1917 as a response to the Sopwith Triplane. It was a relatively obscure type that did not match the performance of Fokker's rival triplane.

Recognition (WEFT)

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

Spot it by:

• Triplane configuration with three equal-span straight wings
• Characteristic Albatros rounded fuselage and spinner
• Rotary or inline piston engine in nose, WWI German markings

Identified by its three straight equal-span wings and the rounded plywood semi-monocoque fuselage characteristic of Albatros fighters.

Specifications

• The Albatros Dr.I has a length of 7.33 m (24 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 8.7 m (29 ft).
• Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Developed after the appearance of the Sopwith Triplane spurred German interest in the configuration, the Albatros Dr.I was produced in small numbers. It proved less successful than the Fokker Dr.I and was not widely adopted.

Variants

Only a single primary production variant is known; the type did not spawn a development family.

Where you'll see it

Operated in limited numbers by the German Luftstreitkräfte in 1917; quickly overshadowed by the more capable Fokker Dr.I.

Related aircraft

• Albatros C.XII
• Albatros D.IX
• Albatros J.I
• Albatros W.5
• AEG C.VIII
• AEG D.I
• Albatros C.X
• Albatros D.VII

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