Friedrichshafen D.I
Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Friedrichshafen D.I was a single-seat biplane fighter developed in 1917 by a company better known for its large flying boats and bombers. It competed in German fighter trials but was not selected for production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-bay biplane with inline Benz engine
- Compact WWI German fighter with rounded wingtips
- Tail skid undercarriage; manufacturer better known for floatplanes
Identified by its single-bay biplane layout with an inline Benz engine and relatively wide lower wing with rounded tips, typical of Friedrichshafen's conservative construction style.
Specifications
- The Friedrichshafen D.I has a length of 7.1 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed at the Friedrichshafen works on Lake Constance, the D.I emerged late in the war when Germany needed competitive single-seat fighters. It entered the second D-type competition of 1918 alongside designs from Fokker, Albatros, and Pfalz, but more capable aircraft were already available. The aircraft remained a prototype only.
Variants
No production variants were developed; the D.I existed only as a prototype and evaluation aircraft.
Where you'll see it
The D.I saw no operational service, being eliminated during comparative trials against superior contemporaries.
Related aircraft
- Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen FF.49
- Friedrichshafen FF.48
- Friedrichshafen G.III
- Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen FF.43
- AEG D.I
- Albatros D.IX
- Albatros D.VII
- Albatros Dr.I
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