Siemens-Schuckert D.I

Siemens-Schuckert · Germany · first flew 1916 · fighter

The Siemens-Schuckert D.I was a German World War I single-seat fighter directly derived from a copy of the French Nieuport 11, featuring a sesquiplane layout with a very small lower wing and powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh.I counter-rotating rotary engine. It saw limited frontline service.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• WWI German sesquiplane fighter derived from Nieuport 11 copy
• Very small lower wing
• Siemens-Halske counter-rotating rotary engine

Identifiable by its Nieuport-derived sesquiplane planform with a very narrow lower wing, the characteristic 'V' strut interplane arrangement, and the relatively large cowling of the counter-rotating rotary engine.

Specifications

• The Siemens-Schuckert D.I has a length of 6 m (20 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 7.5 m (25 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 155 km/h (96 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The D.I entered service in late 1916 as a stop-gap fighter, being essentially a copy of a captured Nieuport 11. The Siemens-Halske counter-rotating engine reduced torque effects but was troublesome; the type was outclassed by contemporary Allied fighters and quickly withdrawn.

Variants

Minor engine and equipment differences between batches; superseded by the improved D.II and D.III from the same manufacturer.

Where you'll see it

Served briefly with the German Imperial Air Service on the Western Front in 1916–17 before replacement by better designs.

Related aircraft

• Siemens-Schuckert R.IV
• Siemens-Schuckert R.V
• Siemens-Schuckert R.VI
• Siemens-Schuckert D.III
• AEG C.IV
• AEG C.V
• AGO C.III
• AGO C.IV

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