Albatros D.VII
Albatros Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Albatros D.VII was a World War I German single-seat fighter prototype developed by Albatros Flugzeugwerke as a further evolution of their successful D-series sesquiplane fighters. It was evaluated but not selected for mass production, with the Fokker D.VII ultimately dominating the later war period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Albatros semi-monocoque ply fuselage with rounded cross-section |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- WWI German single-seat sesquiplane fighter prototype
- Albatros semi-monocoque ply fuselage with rounded cross-section
- D.VII prototype — not to be confused with the famous Fokker D.VII
Closely resembles the Albatros D.Va with its distinctive rounded plywood fuselage, V-strut undercarriage, and sesquiplane wing layout; the D.VII can be distinguished from earlier marks by minor refinements to the wing profile and cowling.
Specifications
- The Albatros D.VII has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 187 km/h (116 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Albatros produced a sequence of highly successful D-type sesquiplane fighters, from the D.I through D.Va, which equipped German fighter units from 1916 onward. The D.VII prototype appeared in 1917 as a refinement, but by that stage the Jagdstaffel fighter competition (the D-type Idflieg competition) was being won by the Fokker D.VII, leaving the Albatros D.VII without a production order.
Variants
Only the prototype was completed; no production series was initiated.
Where you'll see it
The Albatros D.VII remained a factory prototype only and did not serve with frontline German air units.
Related aircraft
- Albatros C.IX
- Albatros C.VIII
- Albatros C.X
- Albatros C.XIII
- AEG D.I
- Albatros D.IX
- Albatros Dr.I
- Albatros W.5
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