Pfalz Dr.I
Pfalz-Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Pfalz Dr.I was a German triplane fighter developed in 1917 to explore the manoeuvrability advantages demonstrated by the Sopwith Triplane, competing in concept with the better-known Fokker Dr.I. It saw very limited production and operational use.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German triplane fighter — rarely seen type
- Three equal-span wings stacked closely
- Produced in small numbers alongside Fokker Dr.I
Three closely stacked equal wings of moderate span, rotary engine cowling, and conventional Pfalz fuselage construction; similar to the Fokker Dr.I but with Pfalz's characteristic semi-monocoque wooden fuselage.
Specifications
- The Pfalz Dr.I has a length of 5.5 m (18 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.55 m (28 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
Built and evaluated in 1917–18, the Pfalz Dr.I was found inferior to the Fokker Dr.I and was not ordered in large numbers. The type's existence is notable primarily as evidence of the wide experimentation with triplane configurations during 1917.
Variants
Only a handful of aircraft completed; no significant production variants.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated by the German Imperial Air Service but not deployed operationally in meaningful numbers.
Related aircraft
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