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Albatros D.III

1917 WORLD WAR 1

History of Albatross D. III

While the Albatross D.I proved vital to the Germans in regaining air superiority in early 1917, it was not a perfect all-around solution and spurred the development of an improved version of the D.II. The D.II features a higher rate of climb, lowered upper wing assembly for improved pilot visibility, and an aerodynamically designed radiator.

Designer Robert Thelen, who had already had success with the Albatros D.I and D.II models, was looking for more maneuverability when dealing with the new Albatros D.III. This is achieved through a new non-staggered wing layout with "V" section inter-struts, rather than the parallel type of earlier models (earning the British moniker "V-Strutter" in the process ). A formidable combat platform, the D .III took to the air in early 1917, with 1,866 produced, eventually entering non-German inventories in the postwar world.

As with most aircraft designs of World War I, the type was quickly superseded and surpassed by more powerful systems.

The Albatros D.III is the first in the Albatros D series to feature new "V"-shaped struts, which are used to increase the stiffness of the wing, which in turn provides a more maneuverable installation. In addition, the engine of the Mercedes D. III series, shown in the previous D. II, has undergone a high-compression modification, improving performance at high altitudes and increasing power to 170 hp.

Top speed is 109 miles per hour. The original armament of 2 x 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns was retained to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Nonetheless, the D.III proved valuable and remained the aircraft of choice, albeit for a short time. Mainly noticed by its pilots in subtle ways, the D.III is an improvement over the previous D-series design. Her maneuverability and rate of climb (critical for any worthy pilot) are significant assets, as are changes to improve pilot protection and visibility. This finesse and attention to detail ensures the aircraft's legacy.

The system remained in service until the last year of the war (1918), although it underwent major overhauls in all performance classes - notably the Royal Aircraft Works S.E.5 and Sopwith Camel and the French Allied Model SPAD S. 13. This was even after the production of the D.III almost ceased to focus on the more modern types.

The D. III was eventually used in no less than 37 squadrons of the German Imperial Army Air Service. In addition, D. III was sent to the Macedonian and Palestine fronts, further replenishing the stockpiles of the Austro-Hungarian Empire allied with Germany.

At peak usage in November 1917, the D.III series had about 446 airframes available for service on the Western Front. The D.III inevitably follows the aforementioned Albatross D.V, which was commissioned in May 1917. The D.V features a modified wing layout and rudder.

This also led to an important development of the D.V version, denoted by the D.Va name. It should be noted that the shortage of wings on the D.III was an ongoing design flaw that was also present on the Albatross' other D-series aircraft.

In the postwar world, the D.III has been in service with the newly formed Polish Air Force, examples of which entered service in 1919. The Poles angrily used the D.III against the Soviets in Poland during the Soviet War of 1919-1920.

Other post-war operators are Czechoslovakia, Lithuania and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.