DFW D.I

The DFW D.I was a German fighter aircraft produced during World War I.

D.I
Role	Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer	DFW
First flight	1917
Primary user	Luftstreitkräfte
Number built	3

Design and development

The first DFW D.I prototype was similar to the DFW Floh with the exception of a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine with a car-mounted radiator on the nose. The second prototype appeared months later fitted with twin Spandau machine guns, while the third prototype featured ailerons on the upper wingtips. The D.I first flew in 1917, leading to development of the DFW Dr.I triplane.

Specifications

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 4.5 m (14 ft 9.25 in)
• Wingspan: 6.2 m (20 ft 4.25 in)
• Height: 2.4 m (8 ft 2.25 in)
• Wing area: 15 m² (160 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 420 kg (924 lb)
• Gross weight: 650 kg (1,430 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.I 6-cylinder water-cooled inline piston, 75 kW (100 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

• Maximum speed: 160 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn)
• Endurance: 1½ hours

Bibliography

• Herris, Jack (2017). DFW Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 29. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-54-4.