 D.III
AEG’s first fighter design was the D.I, a short single-bay biplane of mainly steel tube construction under a fabric covering. A notable feature of the D.I was the use of single-spar wings. Three prototypes were built, and the first of these appeared in May 1917. Type testing took place later in August and September after the fuselage had been lengthened by 1 ft 3 ¾ in (0.4 m). The second and third prtotypes (D 440/17 and D 5002/17 respectively) differed by having cheek-type radiators, those of the D.III being longer than those of the D.II. The D.I proved difficult to fly, and one of the prototypes crashed during testing. Nevertheless, 20 pre-series examples of the D.I were ordered for front line evaluation with the standard fighter armament of two 0.312in (7.92mm) LMG 08/15 fixed forward firing machine guns with a synchronisation system to allow them to fire through the propellor disc. The contract was cancelled after the loss of a second prototype in a crash on 5 September 1917. Type: 2 seat biplane fighter Engine: Daimler D.IIIa inline, 160hp Wing span: 27 ft 10.5 in / 8.5m Length: 20 ft 0.5 in / 6.1m Height: 8 ft 8.5 in / 2.65m Wing area: 173.73 sq.ft / 16.14 sq.m Empty wt: 1510 lb / 685 kg MTOW: 2072 lb / 940 kg Max speed: 137 mph / 220 kph Climb rate: 2 min 30 sec to 3280 ft (1000m) Armament: 2 x fixed 0.312 in (7.92mm) LMG 08/15 forward firing machine guns |
