Daimler D.II (L9)

History of the Daimler D.II (L9)

During World War I, at the request of German authorities, Daimler, an automobile manufacturer, established an Aircraft Construction Division in 1915. This led to the creation of the "L6" fighter plane with a single-seat design and a 185 horsepower Daimler D. IIIb series 8V engine. Despite plans for 20 planes, only six were completed due to the war's end.

Another project during the war was the "L8," a larger two-seat fighter plane with improved range and weaponry. However, only one prototype was developed before the war concluded. This design then evolved into the "L9" or "D.II," featuring a streamlined shape, a powerful 185 hp Daimler D.IIIb V8 engine, and two machine guns synchronized to shoot through the spinning propeller blades. Despite attempts to repurpose it as a mail plane after the war, the L9 prototypes remained the pinnacle of this line of aircraft.

Specification

BASIC

Years of Service: 1918

Origins: German Empire

Status: Cancel

Crew: 1

Production: 1

Manufacturer: Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (Daimler) - German Empire

Operator: German Empire (cancelled)

Roles

Air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 23. 6 feet (7.20m)

Width/span: 29.5 feet (9.00m)

Height: 8.5 feet (2.60m)

Cured weight: 1,642 lbs (745kg)

MTOW: 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg)

Wgt Difference: +562 pt (+255kg)

Performance

Installed: 1 x Daimler D.IIIb V8 185 hp water-cooled engine driving a twin-bladed propeller in the nose.

Maximum speed: 118 km/h (190 km/h | 103 kn)

Maximum: 20,341 feet (6,200 m | 4 km)

Area: 273 km (440 km | 815 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 905 ft/min(276 m/min)

Weapons

2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine guns above the nose, synchronised to fire through rotating propeller blades.