Siemens-Schuckert Dr.I

Siemens-Schuckert · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter

The Siemens-Schuckert Dr.I was a German World War I single-seat triplane fighter developed in parallel with the more famous Fokker Dr.I, intended to capitalise on the triplane's perceived advantages of climb rate and manoeuvrability.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsMid-mounted, straight
E — Engines1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage5.3 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

A compact triplane with three equal-span wings, a rotary engine in a circular cowling, and a rounded fuselage typical of SSW fighters — visually similar to the Fokker Dr.I but with slightly different wing and tail proportions.

Specifications

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

History

Designed in response to the success of the Sopwith Triplane, the SSW Dr.I was tested in 1917. Although it showed promise, it did not proceed to production, as the Fokker Dr.I was selected as the preferred triplane type for the German Luftstreitkräfte.

Variants

A single prototype or very small number of test aircraft only; no production series.

Where you'll see it

The SSW Dr.I did not enter operational service.

Related aircraft

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