Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke D Series Fighting Scouts
The Pfalz DIII appeared in 1917. It was a biplane fighter, the design of which owed much to the L.F.G. Roland D I and D II. The one shown above was captured and is shown with English roundels. The Pfalz D III was not a very good fighter, but it was well-behaved and its monococque fuselage was strong. About 600 were built. The Pfalz DVIII was developed in 1918 as a replacement for the DIII. It is reported that handling was good and climb rate high, but that the undercarriage was weak. It was considered to be inferior to many aircraft of the day and was not an important aircraft for the Germans. Only about 40 were built, with only a few used in combat.
The DXII model (shown above) was accepted by the German high command for production in 1918, and 500 were ordered. But the DXII was completely overshadowed by the Fokker D VII. It was disliked because of its sluggish response to the controls, which could be deadly in a fighter aircraft. About 800 were built.
Technical Details
The DIII was powered by a Mercedes DIIIa 6 cylinder liquid cooled inline, 180 hp engine. This gave it a maximum speed of 106 mph (170 km/h) at 9,842 ft. It had a ceiling of 18,537 ft with an endurance of 2 hr. It's armament was 2 Spandau 7.92mm machine guns mounted on the cowling.
The DVIII was powered by a 160hp Siemens Halske Sh III engine. It's best speed was 118 mph (190km/h), with an endurance of 1h 30m. It was armed with the standard twin 7.92mm machine guns on the cowling.
The DXII was powered by the same Mercedes D IIIa as was the DIII. It's top speed was 112 mph (180km/h), with a ceiling of 18537 ft (5650m) and a respectable endurance of 2h 30m. It was armed with the standard twin 7.92mm machine guns on the cowling.
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