Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Biplane, Fighter
Manufacturer: Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros D.III Aircraft Overview
The Albatros D.III was a German fighter aircraft developed during World War I by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was a continuation of the successful line of Albatros D-series fighters and became one of the most significant and widely used aircraft of the German Air Service during the latter stages of the war.
The Albatros D.III was an evolution of its predecessors, the Albatros D.I and Albatros D.II, incorporating design improvements to address some of the structural weaknesses and enhance its performance. The key changes in the D.III included strengthening the wing structure and improving the fuel and oil systems.
The aircraft featured a single-seat biplane configuration, with a wooden framework covered with fabric. It had a streamlined fuselage and a relatively powerful engine, which contributed to its agility and performance in aerial combat.
The Albatros D.III was typically powered by a 160-horsepower Mercedes D.IIIa or later D.IIIaü six-cylinder water-cooled inline engine. This engine provided a top speed of around 175 km/h (109 mph) and a service ceiling of approximately 5,500 meters (18,000 feet).
Armament on the D.III consisted of two synchronized 7.92mm lMG 08/15 machine guns, which were mounted in front of the pilot and fired through the propeller arc. This synchronized firing system allowed the pilot to shoot without damaging the propeller blades.
A Short History of the Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III first saw service in early 1917 and quickly proved to be a formidable adversary in the air. It exhibited excellent maneuverability, especially at lower speeds, making it a favorite among German fighter pilots. Many famous German aces, such as Manfred von Richthofen (“The Red Baron”), Ernst Udet, and Oswald Boelcke, flew the Albatros D.III and achieved significant success in air-to-air combat.
However, despite its capabilities, the Albatros D.III was not without its shortcomings. It suffered from some handling issues, particularly with its stability and control at higher speeds. Additionally, as Allied aircraft designs advanced, the D.III began to face stiffer competition in the air.
In response to these challenges, Albatros continued to improve the design, leading to the development of the Albatros D.V series, which incorporated further refinements and addressed some of the issues present in the D.III.
Nevertheless, during its operational period, the Albatros D.III was one of the most successful and widely used German fighters of World War I. Its impact on the air war was significant, and it played a crucial role in the ongoing aerial conflict until the end of the war in 1918.
Albatros D.III Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in)
- Upper wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Lower wingspan: 8.73 m (28 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 20.56 m2 (221.3 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 710 kg (1,565 lb)
- Gross weight: 987 kg (2,176 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Austro-Daimler 200hp 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller.
Albatros D.III Performance
- Maximum speed: 188 km/h (117 mph, 102 kn)
- Time to altitude:
-
- 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in 2 minutes 35 seconds
- 2,000 m (6,562 ft) in 6 minutes 35 seconds
- 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 11 minutes 20 seconds
- 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in 18 minutes 50 seconds
- 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in 33 minutes
- Wing loading: 48.1 kg/m2 (9.9 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.20 hp/kg.
Albatros D.III Armament
- Guns: 2 × 8 mm (0.315 in) Schwarzlose machine guns.
