Fokker D.VII
Fokker · German Empire · first flew 1918 · fighter
The Fokker D.VII was a German single-seat biplane fighter widely considered the finest fighter aircraft of World War I. It was so effective that the Armistice terms specifically required Germany to surrender all D.VIIs to the Allies.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Welded steel tube fuselage with fabric covering |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Arguably the best fighter of WWI — specifically mentioned in the Armistice terms
- Thick cantilever lower wing with parasol-like upper wing on cabane struts
- Welded steel tube fuselage with fabric covering
Biplane with a notably thick cantilever wings needing no bracing wires — the upper wing on cabane struts, blunt rounded nose with the engine exposed, and a box-section welded steel tube fuselage — very clean for a WWI design.
Specifications
- The Fokker D.VII has a length of 6.95 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.9 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 189 km/h (117 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Reinhold Platz and first flown in early 1918, the D.VII entered service with the German Luftstreitkräfte in April 1918. Its innovative thick-section cantilever wing, welded steel tube fuselage, and forgiving handling characteristics made it superior to most contemporary Allied fighters. Even mediocre pilots could exploit its strong climbing ability and stability at altitude. The Armistice clause requiring its surrender underscores how seriously the Allies viewed it.
Variants
The D.VII was built by Fokker and under licence by Albatros and OAW; engine variants used the Mercedes D.IIIa or BMW IIIa, the latter giving significantly improved high-altitude performance.
Where you'll see it
The D.VII served with German Jagdgeschwader from mid-1918 until the Armistice; surrendered aircraft served with Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands in the early 1920s.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.