Pfalz D.VIII
Pfalz-Flugzeugwerke · German Empire · first flew 1918 · fighter
The Pfalz D.VIII was a German single-seat parasol monoplane fighter of 1918, one of the few monoplane fighters to reach evaluation stage in the First World War. Its wing was mounted above the fuselage on struts, giving the pilot a better forward view than a biplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | WWI German parasol monoplane fighter with wing mounted above fuselage on struts |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- WWI German parasol monoplane fighter with wing mounted above fuselage on struts
- Single rotary or inline engine in round cowling
- Clean monoplane design in contrast to contemporary biplanes
The parasol wing arrangement — a single straight wing elevated above the fuselage on parallel struts — immediately distinguishes it from biplane contemporaries. Compact and light in appearance.
Specifications
- The Pfalz D.VIII has a length of 5.65 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.52 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 190 km/h (118 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in 1918 as Pfalz sought alternatives to the dominant biplane configuration, the D.VIII underwent evaluation at the Adlershof fighter trials but was not ordered in quantity. Only a small number were completed before the Armistice ended German fighter development.
Variants
No significant production variants; the D.VIII remained at prototype and evaluation stage.
Where you'll see it
Did not enter operational service in meaningful numbers; evaluation aircraft only.
Related aircraft
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