Having already found successes in the Albatros D.I and D.II models, designer Robert Thelen sought for more in the way of manoeuvrability for the new Albatros D.III. This was accomplished by a new unstaggered wing. The wings comprised a longer-span upper wing with raked tips and a narrow-chord lower wing in a sesquiplane arrangement with V-layout interplane struts. Ailerons were on the top wing only. The D III retained the fuselage and empennage of the D II but added a version of the D.III engine with a higher compression ratio for slightly more power.

The D.III featured a semi-monocoque structure with plywood skinning. The pilot sat at the relative center portion of the fuselage in an open-air cockpit just behind and under the top wing. The top wing was lowered enough to allow for improved visibility. The engine sat before the pilot under the twin 7.92 LMG 08/15 machine guns synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades. The two-bladed propeller featured a large cone-shaped spinner. The undercarriage consisted of two fixed struts, each with a wheels while the empennage held the tail skid.

Albatross D.III Article

D.III’s were in operational service in some quantity by December of 1916 and the new wing arrangement immediately proved to offer better manoeuvrability. Power was provided by a Mercedes D.IIIa series engine which was progressively uprated from 170 horsepower to 175 during the production run. By the spring of 1917 the D.III equipped all Germany’s 37 Jastas. After some operational service, the radiator had to be shifted from the center to the right side of the upper wing. This was done as the pilot would incur serious burns should the radiator become punctured in combat (this production change was included in the 290th aircraft and onwards).

Albatros soon found that failures of the leading edge and lower wing ribs were becoming all too common – leading to cracks or outright failures. As such, D.IIIs were grounded for a crucial period until the problem was located and addressed. The D.III would have to wait until February of 1917 to be back in action, this time with a reinforced lower wing. New production models featured this fix while previous service models were pulled and reinforced.

The structural deficiency was directly attributed to the main spar being set too far to the rear of the design. This effectively caused a twisting of the wing, most notably during a dive or an action introducing high stress loads to the wing.

Some of the earliest D.IIIs were assigned to Jagdstaftel 11, the squadron commanded by Baron Von Richtofen. As a result of numerous wing failures, restrictions were put on the diving speed of the D.III. The cause was the weakness of the V-strut supporting the lower wing, which permitted twisting under load.

Equipped with the D.III, the German fighter squadrons rapidly asserted their superiority over their Allied opponents in the early months of 1917, culminating in ‘Bloody April’. During that month the Royal Flying Corps, in spite of Allied superiority in single-seat fighters of 358:114, suffered aircrew losses totalling over 40%, and the average life expectancy of a British airman on the Western Front dropped to 23 days.

There were many minor variations, and Oeffag (Austrian built) models had Austro Daimler engines of up to 225 hp. Nearly 500 D.IIIs were at the Western Front in late 1917, but Albatros found it outclassed by the Allies’ Triplane, Camel, SE.5a and Spad VII.

The D.III stayed in operational use into the final year of the war despite being overtaken in all performance categories – particularly by the British Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5, French SPAD S.13 and Sopwith Camel models of the Allies.

Gallery

D.III
Engine: l x Mercedes D.IIIa, 127 or 130kW (170 or 175hp).
Wingspan: 29 ft 8.25 in (9.05m)
Wing area: 220.7 sq.ft
Length: 24 ft 0.5 in (7.33m)
Height: 9 ft 9 in (2.98m)
Empty Weight: 1,499 lbs (680kg)
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 1,953 lbs (886kg)
Fuel capacity: 24 Imp.Gal
Maximum Speed: 109mph (175kmh; 94kts) at 3,280 ft
Maximum Range: 217miles (350km)
Rate-of-Climb: 886ft/min (270m/min)
Service Ceiling: 18,045ft (5,500m)
Operational endurance: 2 hr
Armament: 2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine guns
Seats: 1

Oeffag D.III
Engine: Austro Daimler, up to 225 hp

The Albatros D.II became a further development of the Albatros D.I. In the D.II, the top wing was brought down to improve pilot visibility and also allowed for the improved radiator to be mounted in the center of the upper wing section.

Albatros Werke D.I / D.II Article

Albatros D.II
Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.IIIa, 119kW / 160hp.
Length: 24ft 3.25 in (7.4m)
Wingspan: 27 ft 10.75 in (8.50m)
Height: 9.68ft (2.95m)
Maximum Speed: 109mph (175kmh; 94kts)
Maximum Range: 163miles (263km)
Rate-of-Climb: 656ft/min (200m/min)
Time to 3000 ft: 5 min
Service Ceiling: 17,060ft (5,200m)
Operational endurance: 1 hr 30 min
Armament: 2 x 7.92mm LMG 8.15 machine guns
Accommodation: 1
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 1,958lbs (888kg)

The Albatros D.I was initially designed and produced to counter the Nieuport and de Havilland series of “Fighting Scout” aircraft, winning superiority back by 1917. Initial D.I’s were modelled after the Albatros “C” series of aircraft, including some of the internal working components and overall building methodology used in production.

Albatros Werke D.I / D.II Article

The D.I and D.II represented Germany’s second successful bid within a year to gain total air superiority over the Allies (the first with the Fokker E monoplanes in 1915-16). They were vast improvements over the previous Fokker and Halberstadt biplane fighters.

They were an unequal-span equal-chord biplane with a plywood-covered semi-monocoque fuselage, having the Albatros C.III rounded tailplane coupled with the new rounded fin and rudder of C.V/16 type. The major difference between the D.I and D.II was that the upper wing of the D.II was lowered to reduce the gap between it and the fuselage to improve forward and upper vision. Powered by either a 112kW Benz Bz.II or 119kW Mercedes D.III engine they armed with two synchronized Spandau machine-guns, firing through the propeller – the first successful installation of twin guns on a German fighter.

The D.I first flew in August 1916, and were first flown on an operational mission in September 1916, led by the ace Oswald Boelcke.
Twenty D.II, powered by 138kW Austro-Daimler engines, were also licence-built by the Oeffag company for the Austro-Hungarian Air Force. At the peak of their operational careers with the German Air Force, about 260 D.I and D.II fighters were in service.
In October 1916 the D.1 was replaced in production by the D.II.

Albatros D.I
Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.III, 119kW / 160hp
Length: 23.95ft (7.3m)
Wingspan: 28.22ft (8.60m)
Height: 9.51ft (2.90m)
Empty Weight: 1,422lbs (645kg)
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 1,980lbs (898kg)
Maximum Speed: 120mph (193kmh; 104kts)
Maximum Range: 180miles (289km)
Rate-of-Climb: 547ft/min (167m/min)
Service Ceiling: 16,998ft (5,181m)
Armament: 2 x 7.92mm machine guns
Accommodation: 1

Albatros D.I
Engine: 1 x Benz Bz.III 112 kW / 150 hp
Take-off weight: 900 kg / 1984 lb
Empty weight: 674 kg/ 1486 lb
Wingspan: 8.5 m / 27 ft 11 in
Length: 7.4 m / 24 ft 3 in
Height: 3.0 m / 9 ft 10 in
Wing area: 22.9 sq.m / 246.49 sq ft
Max. speed: 175 km/h / 109 mph
Ceiling: 6000 m / 19700 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 300 km / 186 miles
Armament: 2 machine-guns
Crew: 1

The Albatros production of the C.X model supplanted the earlier C-series by improved aerodynamic design and powerplants.

The C.X was fitted with the newly-designed Mercedes D.IVa engine that improved performance and reliability. The C.X would be fielded in the Front from the summer of 1917 onwards.

The C.X biplane sat two crewmembers back-to-back in the cockpit area. The pilot was positioned at front, offering up a traditional field of view under and behind the top wing system and behind the engine. An observer/rear gunner manned a ring-mounted array of 7.5mm Parabellum machine guns. Additional stores in the way of light bombs could also be carried.

As successful as the C.X was in the reconnaissance role, the C.X was replaced with the C.XII.

Albatros C.X
Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.IVa, 240 hp
Length: 30.02ft (9.15m)
Wingspan: 47.11ft (14.36m)
Height: 11.15ft (3.40m)
Empty Weight: 3,677lbs (1,668kg)
Maximum Speed: 109mph (175kmh; 94kts)
Service Ceiling: 16,404ft (5,000m)
Armament: 2 x 7.5mm Parabellum machine guns in ring-mounted rear cockpit position.
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 2

It was generally recognised that the Mercedes engine had been the greatest problem with the C.V and so the new C.VII was fitted with a 149kW Benz Bz.IV. A return to the C.V/1s lower wing and radiator layout was made and the resulting aircraftt was successful in the reconnaissance and other roles. C.VII served during 1916 and 1917 in all battle areas and were often used as tactical light bombers.

Though 400 full examples of this model were produced, the C.V would see operational from early 1916, eventually being replaced in full by a more potent Albatros C.VII design by 1917.

Initially built as the C.V/16 and powered by the new 164kW Mercedes D.IV engine, but this model proved heavy to fly and experienced problems with its cooling system. To remedy this the C.V/17 was produced, featuring a new lower wing with rounded tips, a new radiator fitted to the upper wing (instead of the two rounded radiators previously fitted to the fuselage sides forward of the wings), balanced ailerons and elevators and other refinements. These made a considerable difference to the handling and cooling, but the problems with the crankshaft of the engine remained and meant that only a small number of C.V became operational.

The C.V was in effect an entire departure from previous C-series type designs. This particular model was fitted with a Mercedes D.IV 8-cylinder liquid-cooled engine capable of 220 horsepower. The aircraft was crewed by a pilot in the front cockpit area and an observer/gunner in the rear cockpit area. The rear gunner had access to an arrangement of ring-mounted 7.5mm Parabellum machine guns for defensive purposes. Up to 220lbs of external ordnance could be mounted for the bomber role. Wing design was of a conventional biplane approach and the fuselage was aerodynamically refined for maximum performance.

The Albatros C.V would eventually be replaced by the more capable C.VII series. The C.V would also go on to hold an Albatros production line distinction of being the 2,500th such aircraft produced by the firm, this event occurring in the war year of 1917.

Albatros C.V
Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.IV, 220hp / 164kW
Length: 29 ft 6 in (8.95m)
Wingspan: 41.93ft (12.78m)
Wing area: 43.4 sq.m / 467.15 sq ft
Height: 11.68ft (3.56m)
Empty weight: 1035 kg / 2282 lb
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 3,494lbs (1,585kg)
Maximum Speed: 106mph (170kmh; 92kts)
Maximum Range: 280miles (450km)
Service Ceiling: 16,404ft (5,000m)
Armament: 2 x 7.5mm ring-mounted LMG 14 Parabellum machine guns in rear gunner position
Bombload: 220lbs
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 2

Appearing outwardly nearly identical to the Albatros B.III of 1914, the C.III model entered service in 1915. Like the unarmed B.III, the C.III had a fish style tail that not only improved handling but became a distinguishing feature of the Albatros single-seat scouts. With a two-bay biplane of two-spar wooden construction (ailerons on top wing only), the ply covered fuselage had a roomy rear cockpit for the observer, with Schneider ring mount for the Parabellum machine gun. Nearly all also had a fixed Spandau (almost the same 7.92 mm gun) firing ahead on the right side of the engine, and equipped with synchronization gear to enable it to fire between the propeller blades.

Though used mainly for reconnaissance and artillery spotting, the C.III could carry 100 kg (220 lb) of bombs in a compartment between the cockpits. Powered by the 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine, the C.III was built by seven manufacturers and served on all fronts until mid 1917 when it was withdrawn for use in the training role.

Albatros C.III
Engine: 1 x Benz Bz.III, 150 hp or Mercedes DIIIe, 160hp.
Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in (11.70m)
Wingarea: 397.3 sq.ft
Length: 26 ft 3 in (8m)
Height: 10.17ft (3.10m)
Empty weight: 1876 lb
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 2,983lbs (1,353kg)
Fuel capacity: 56 Gal
Maximum Speed: 87mph (140kmh; 76kts)
Service Ceiling: 11,155ft (3,400m; 2.1miles)
Endurance: 4 hr
Accommodation: 2
Armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92mm Parabellum machine gun and 1x Spandau 7.92 mm machine-gun (most)
Bombload: 100 kg (220 lb)

Replica: Salis Albatros C.II

The Albatros C.I series of aircraft was the next evolution in the brand’s reconnaissance aircraft line. Stemming from the development of the production Albatros B.II, the C.I shared many of the common characteristics in the initial design including the biplane wing assembly and basic fuselage design. Where it differed from the B.II, however, was in crew layout, the implementation of self-defense armament and improved performance capabilities. The C.I would become the aircraft on which many a German ace would be introduced to aerial combat and hone his skills on before graduating to the new breed of true fighter.

The C.I, like the B.II before it, featured crew accommodations for two personnel in the form of one pilot and a rear “observer” that doubled as a gunner. Unlike the B.II, the C.I switched the positions of the pilot and observer to a more traditional layout, putting the pilot forward just behind the engine, and the observer to the rear. This allowed the pilot a more traditional viewpoint from the front of his machine while allowing the rear observer/gunner a greater area to which train his gun in for self-defense. Armament consisted of a single 7.5mm Parabellum machine gun in the rear gunner area. Beyond that, the system was a reconnaissance aircraft not built for straight up engagements, though the C.I did find its fair share of success in that field.

The Albatros C.I offered up performance improvements thanks to the Mercedes D.III liquid-cooled inline engine. Performance increased the maximum speed from the B.II’s 66 miles per hour to the C.I’s 87 miles per hour. The endurance of the newer C.I did suffer quite a bit, however, from 4 hours of flightier in the B.I to just 2 hours of flight time in the C.I. Nevertheless, the powerplant was one of the best and most powerful available when compared to its contemporaries and handling was reported as good to excellent, making for a lethal weapon despite these shortcomings.

Albatros C.I
Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.III, 160hp.
Length: 25.75ft (7.85m)
Wingspan: 42.32ft (12.90m)
Height: 10.30ft (3.14m)
Maximum Speed: 87mph (140kmh; 76kts)
Service Ceiling: 9,843ft (3,000m)
Armament: 1 x 7.5mm Parabellum machine gun in rear gunner position.
Accommodation: 2
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 2,624lbs (1,190kg)

A reconnaissance biplane designed by Ernst Heinkel in 1913-14.

Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.I, 100 hp

Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.II, 120 hp