A brief culmination of events

• 1862 – Otto Von Bismarck becomes prime minister of what is then known as Prussia.

• Dedicated to uniting all the surrounding German speaking provinces into one country, he defeats Austria-Hungary in 1866 and eventually seizes Alsace and Lorraine from France in 1871.

An Alliance is formed

• 1878 – A dual alliance is formed between Germany and Austria-Hungary which included the following provisions:

• Both countries promise to aid the other should Russia attack it.

• Both countries promise to aid the other should Russia assist another country in attacking it.

• 1881 – Italy is brought in forming a triple alliance with the following provision:

• If France should declare war on either Austria-Hungary or Germany, then Italy would lend aid; Vice Versa.

A critical stipulation

• Within this triple alliance was a condition dictating that if any of the 3 parties involved should launch a “preventive”, or offensive, war then the other 2 would remain neutral.

• Results:– 1914 – Germanys attack

on France is considered to be preventable thus breaking the former contract.

– 1915 – Italy would enter the war on the allied side.

It is worth mentioning that Italy had engaged in a secret agreement with France stating that should Germany attack France then Italy themselves would remain neutral. Either way, Germany initially broke the former agreement by launching an offensive battle.

Franco-Russian Military Convention

• 1892 – Russia and France ally themselves with the aim to specifically counteract the potential threat posed by the triple alliance.

• France had a grudge to settle with Germany ever since they were stripped of the rich coal mining territories of Alsace and Lorraine.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

• 1890 – Kaiser Wilhelm II takes over for the aging chancellor, Von Bismarck.

• The ambitious Wilhelm sets out to solidify Germanys “Place in the sun”.

Britain grows cautious

• Determined to make Germany a formidable colonial power, Wilhelm plans to construct a naval fleet the match of Britain's.– Britain possessed the largest navy in the world at this

time and expressed concern at Germanys sudden interest in naval affairs.

• This may have ultimately been a key deciding factor for Britain's involvement in WWI.

• Germany did not believe that Britain would get involved in the war as they were in a policy of “splendid isolation”, choosing to stay above European politics.

The Entente Cordiale

• 1904 – Britain signs the Entente Cordiale with France resolving long standing colonial disputes between the two.

• This gave France a possible buffer against future German aggression.Neither country was obligated through this document

to come to the defense of the other should a war or other military cur break out. There was, however, a moral obligation from one country to

the other.

• 1907 - The Entente was extended to include Russia creating what would become known as the Triple Entente.

Belgium or Bust

• 1839 – The treaty of London was signed binding Britain to protect Belgium in the event of later invasion.

• When German troops intended to seize France during the opening months of the war, they had planned to cut through Belgium in the process.

• Knowing of the document, the German government asked the British government to ignore the “scrap of paper”. Britain refused and was officially brought into the war on August 4,1914.

Examining the Æronautical

advancements of WWI

The Culmination of events The Culmination of events resulting in WWIresulting in WWI

• June 28, 1914 – The assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, June 28, 1914 – The assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Serbian terrorist Gavrilo heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip.Princip.

• Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia but Russia, another Slavic Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia but Russia, another Slavic speaking country, decides to come to Serbia's defense.speaking country, decides to come to Serbia's defense.

• Germany sides with Austria-Hungary.Germany sides with Austria-Hungary.• The Duel Alliance of 1878.The Duel Alliance of 1878.

• Italy sees this as a ‘preventable’ move on the behalf of Hungary Italy sees this as a ‘preventable’ move on the behalf of Hungary and decides not to lend aid.and decides not to lend aid.

• The Triple Alliance of 1881.The Triple Alliance of 1881.• France joins Russia.France joins Russia.

• The Triple Entente of 1907.The Triple Entente of 1907.• Britain gets involvedBritain gets involved

– Germany invades Belgium enroot to France violating the Treaty of Germany invades Belgium enroot to France violating the Treaty of London signed in 1839London signed in 1839

• 1915 – Italy enters the war on the allied side. 1915 – Italy enters the war on the allied side.

Flight as a tool of warFlight as a tool of war

Zeppelinsand

Fighters

ZeppelinsZeppelins

• Zeppelins were rigid Zeppelins were rigid airships with airships with aluminum alloy aluminum alloy skeletons.skeletons.

• Within the larger outer Within the larger outer balloon of the zeppelin balloon of the zeppelin were smaller balloons were smaller balloons filled with hydrogen, a filled with hydrogen, a very flammable gas.very flammable gas.

Ferdinand Von ZeppelinFerdinand Von Zeppelin• 1899 - Thanks to the 1899 - Thanks to the

efforts of Ferdinand Von efforts of Ferdinand Von Zeppelin, the first zeppelin Zeppelin, the first zeppelin was successfully was successfully constructed. constructed.

• War time benefits would War time benefits would include: include: – Extended travel timeExtended travel time– Capability of carrying Capability of carrying

heavy loads.heavy loads.– Possessed a stronger Possessed a stronger

engine than airplanes. engine than airplanes.

• As the war got under way As the war got under way the military took notice.the military took notice.

• The military saw many The military saw many advantages the Zeppelin offered advantages the Zeppelin offered over contemporary aircraft from over contemporary aircraft from a war standpoint, including: a war standpoint, including:

• almost as fast, but could carry almost as fast, but could carry more guns.more guns.

• Greater bomb load, capacity, and Greater bomb load, capacity, and range.range.

• Better endurance.Better endurance.

• The one main set back from The one main set back from conventional aircraft at the time conventional aircraft at the time was its vulnerability to gunfire. was its vulnerability to gunfire.

Anti aircraft effortsAnti aircraft efforts• The first primitive solution to zeppelins The first primitive solution to zeppelins

used by Britain was to locate them at used by Britain was to locate them at night with searchlights. This was night with searchlights. This was ineffective as clouds were commonly ineffective as clouds were commonly mistaken. mistaken.

• As anti-aircraft defenses improved so As anti-aircraft defenses improved so too did the Zeppelins capabilities. too did the Zeppelins capabilities. They could travel at higher altitudes to They could travel at higher altitudes to utilize cloud cover and stay out of utilize cloud cover and stay out of range of ground fire.range of ground fire.

• A later favorite of fighter A later favorite of fighter pilots, as the war progressed, pilots, as the war progressed, was to use tracer bullets was to use tracer bullets against hydrogen filled against hydrogen filled aircraft. These bullets had a aircraft. These bullets had a hollow base which would be hollow base which would be filled with a pyrotechnic flare filled with a pyrotechnic flare to ignite the hydrogen.to ignite the hydrogen.

The German High Command The German High Command Losses ConfidenceLosses Confidence

• It was quickly realized that It was quickly realized that the zeppelin was not the zeppelin was not capable of penetrating well capable of penetrating well defended forts or areas.defended forts or areas.

• For this reason, coupled with For this reason, coupled with the fact it could sustain long the fact it could sustain long travel periods of great travel periods of great distances, they were distances, they were predominately used for predominately used for reconnaissance flights over reconnaissance flights over the North and Baltic seas to the North and Baltic seas to locate allied war vessels. locate allied war vessels.

Wrath of the ZeppelinWrath of the Zeppelin• January 19, 1915 – An January 19, 1915 – An

assault on Britain renders assault on Britain renders the first aerial the first aerial bombardment of civilians bombardment of civilians in history.in history.

• 4 people were killed and 4 people were killed and sixteen injured.sixteen injured.

• The media blows the story The media blows the story out of proportion.out of proportion.

• In the end a total of 88 In the end a total of 88 zeppelins were built by zeppelins were built by Germany during the war.Germany during the war.– Over 60 were lost due to Over 60 were lost due to

accidents/enemy actions. accidents/enemy actions.

The final talliesThe final tallies

51 Raids5,806 Bombs dropped

1,358 Injured557 People killed

1914 alliances1914 alliances

19141914• Before the war began

there was little to no funding for the aircraft industry.

• Even at the start of the war, planes were constructed mostly of canvas and wood due to low engine power incapable of handling much weight.

Early aircraftEarly aircraft

• The military did not see much use for airplanes at the onset of WWI other than as aerial scouts.

• In the opening months, pilots adhered to a code of chivalry forbidding them to harm fellow flyers.

• It wasn’t long before the reality of war reached the skies and enemy pilots were going at it.

• Pilots would attempt to: – Toss ropes into

propellers– Throw bricks at one

another– Fire pistols

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

• It has been said that the stalemate in trench warfare was due in large part to the reconnaissance work of aircraft.

• Aerial reconnaissance teams would draw or photograph enemy trench lines, monitor troop movements, and locate artillery batteries.

The first fighter pilotThe first fighter pilot• As the code of aerial chivalry

was broken pilots attempted to destroy their enemies.

• In December 1914 a French pilot named Roland Garros consulted a top French aircraft designer (Raymond Saulnier) about adding armored blades to his wooden propellers.

• After this, Garros fixed a machine gun onto the front of his plane while his mechanic attached deflector wedges so as to defer bullets that might ricochet off the propeller.

Roland GarrosRoland Garros

• Garros is considered the first true fighter pilot as he managed to shoot down 3 aircraft with his machine gun.

• April 18, 1915 – Garros was shot down over German lines and apprehended before he could destroy his plane.

– It is believed that the plane was sent to Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker for inspection.

19151915

• Soon after Fokker received Garros’ plane, he proceeded to successfully create a fully functioning interrupter system.

• The interrupter gear allowed a pilot to fire his machine gun through a spinning propeller without having to worry about ricochets or damage to the plane itself.

The Fokker Eindecker

• The initial problem with the interrupter gear was that it did not allow enough bullets to get through each round to have a large impact. This problem was easily overcome by adding two machine guns instead of one.

Fokker EindeckerManufacturer: Fokker Flugzeug-Werke GmbHType: FighterFirst Introduced: 1915Engine: Oberursel U.I, 9 cylinder, rotary, 100 hp31 ft 2¾ in 9.5 m Length: 23 ft 7½ in 7.2 m Height: 9 ft 1¾ in 2.4 m Empty Weight: 399 kg Gross Weight: 1342 lb 610 kg Max Speed: 88 mph 140 km/h Ceiling: 11,500 ft 4100 m Endurance: 1½ hoursCrew: 1Armament: 1 or 2 Spandau machine gun

• The ensuing time period immediately following the introduction of the interrupter gear is commonly referred to as the ‘Fokker Scourge’ as German pilots exhibited full aerial dominance. – During this time, Allied opponents who faced the Eindecker referred to

themselves as Fokker Fodder.

• This time frame allowed German pilots to develop their flying skills with relative safety. When the allies began building better planes in larger quantities the Germans were still able to outfight them purely on skill.

Observation Balloons

• During WWI, Observation balloons were used to primarily detect troop movements.

• They would be winched into the air and guarded by anti-aircraft artillery on the ground.

Balloon BustersBalloon Busters• Pilots who made a

living out of bringing down observation balloons were referred to as balloon busters.

• The balloons counted as a ‘kill’ as far as the various air forces were concerned and were credited to a pilots tally.

• German copy of a French Caquot – Type Ae 800.

• Higher flying capability with 3 fins. It quickly became the common model used.

•A typical British design.

• The original German observation balloon design.

The rules of the skiesThe rules of the skies• Beginning with France, air

services in various countries started keeping a credit system for their pilots. Any pilot downing five or more enemy aircraft would be credited as an ace.

• France credited any pilot or aerial gunner participating in a victory with the kill.– Under these rules it wasn't

uncommon to have six or seven individuals accredited for a single kill.

• Germany held the purest crediting system of all countries known as one pilot one kill.– Under German rules a pilot

would be considered an ace if he had downed sixteen or more enemy aircraft accessed as destroyed or captured.

• Britain and the U.S. would later adopt the French system.– This system was extremely

lenient and counted ‘moral’ victories such as - driven down, forced to land, and out of control.

Balloons worthy of a KillBalloons worthy of a Kill

• Despite being a stationary target it was by no means an easy task to take down a balloon as: – planes could be brought down

by ground fire.– Planes could get tangled up in

wire meshes commonly hanging in clusters of balloons.

– The balloons would not always ignite if the pilots were not using tracer bullets.

– Balloons were attached to a winch and could be pulled down in less than a minute.

• Ground fire on planes was highly inaccurate most of the time with the exception of the artillery unit standing watch over the balloons.

• This was due to the fact that the ground unit already knew the height to aim at by the length of rope to which the balloon was attached.

Top Balloon bustersTop Balloon busters

• Friedrich Ritter Von Roth was Germanys top balloon buster. Of his 28 confirmed

victories 20 were balloons. He ranks fifth on the list.

• Willy Coppens of Belgium holds the title as top balloon buster. 35 of his 37 victories were

balloons.

Germanys AcesGermanys Aces

• Oswald Boelcke is considered the father of the German air force.

• He was chosen as the test pilot to try out Fokkers interrupter gear/machine gun device.

• Boelcke is famous as being the first person to formalize the rules for aerial combat. These rules are presented as the Dicta Boelcke.

The Dicta BoelckeThe Dicta Boelcke• 1.Always try to secure an advantageous position before attacking. Climb

before and during the approach in order to surprise the enemy from above, and dive on him swiftly from the rear when the moment to attack is at hand.

• 2.Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy. This puts the glare of the sun in the enemy's eyes and makes it difficult to see you and impossible for him to shoot with any accuracy.

• 3.Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy is within range and you have him squarely within your sights.

• 4.Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he is preoccupied with other duties such as observation, photography or bombing.

• 5.Never turn your back and try to run away from an enemy fighter. If you are surprised by an attack on your tail, turn and face the enemy with your guns.

• 6.Keep your eye on the enemy and do not let him deceive you with tricks. If your opponent appears damaged, follow him down until he crashes to be sure he is not faking.

• 7.Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jasta must fight as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. The signal of its leaders must be obeyed. 

• Boelcke was killed in a collision with fellow pilot Erwin Bohme on October 28, 1916.

• He had 40 victories to his credit when he died.

Max ImmelmannMax Immelmann• Max Immelmann was the first Fighter pilot to

receive the Orden Pour Le Merite award in WWI – Prussia's highest military order at the time.

• At the onset of war, the award was granted to any pilot who had succesfully downed 8 enemy aircraft.

• As the war progressed, the required number of downed enemy aircraft was raised to 16.

• On January 12, 1916 Immelmann and Boelcke received the award together.

• The award is informally known as the Blue Max in honor of Immelmann.

The Immelmann TurnThe Immelmann Turn• Immelmann is best remembered for creating

the Immelmann turn. This was a turn in the air which began with a half loop and finished with a half roll.

• Immelmann died on June 18, 1916 with a total of 17 victories to his credit.

• His death remains a mystery:– German sources say his

machine gun malfunctioned during a dogfight and he shot his own propeller off.

– British sources credit the pilots of the F.E.2b’s engaged in combat at the time with the kill.

The Red BaronThe Red Baron• Manfred Albrecht

Freiherr Von Richthofen was the leading flying ace from WWI.

• originally a scout for the German army, Von Richthofen grew bored and asked to be transferred to the air service.

• It was here that he met Oswald Boelcke and was immediately inspired. Boelcke requested that he join his squadron, Jasta 2.

• After achieving early success, he painted the fuselage of his Albatros D.III red to flaunt his aerial superiority – Thus earning him the nickname the Red Baron.

The Plane of ChoiceThe Plane of Choice• The Albatros D.II was the

mainstay of the German airforce through late 1916 and Von Richthofens as well.

• It wasn’t untill he defeated the British Ace Lanoe Hawker, sometimes referred to as the ‘British Boelcke’, on Nov. 23, 1916 that Von Richthofen realized he would need a plane with more agility.

• September 1916 – the Fokker Dr.I Triplane was introduced offering more agility but less max speed.

• Earlier in January of the same year Von Richthofen was appointed commander of Jasta 11 – an elite group of fighter pilots.

The flying Circus• All the planes in

Jasta 11 displayed some red, but the only entirely red plane was Von Richthofens.

• The squadron slept in tents for closer access to their planes so as to be prepared for emergency notice.

• This brought forth the title of flying circus or Von Richthofens flying circus.

Bloody AprilBloody April

• In April of 1917 Jasta 11 met with unparalleled success.

• The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) deployed 25 squadrons of 365 aircraft which would be held off by 8 German Jastas (air squadrons).

• The RFC lost 245 of its 365 aircraft and came close to being totally annihilated completely.

• Jasta 11, led by Von Richthofen shot down 89 planes alone – almost 1/3 of the total.

• The month is infamously remembered as Bloody April.

The Barons DemiseThe Barons Demise

• After sustaining a head injury in July 1917, Von Richthofen was never the same. He suffered from post flight nausea and headaches and made irregular decisions in the air.

• One such decision led to his death on April 21, 1918. He pursued Wilfrid May and is believed to have died by a machine gun bullet from the trenches below. This was an odd choice for the Red Baron as he would normally not stay fixated on a single target for an extended period of time.

The Top AceThe Top Ace• Up until his sixtieth kill, Von

Richthofen had his jeweler friend in Berlin make him a silver cup with the date of each fight and type of enemy aircraft he had brought down.

• He tallied 80 victories before he died but only had 60 cups made. This was due to the war as silver became restricted from the war.– Von Richthofen was the

highest scoring pilot in WWI.

The Eisernes Kreuz

• Beginning in 1914 German aircraft designers were instructed to paint an Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) in a full chord white field on the tops and bottoms of their wings.

• Markings were standardized as the exact formula for determining the dimensions of the Eisernes Kreuz were standardized.

• The white fields were eliminated and all crosses were to be surrounded by a 50 mm white border.

June 13, 1913 – Sept. 28, 1914

Sept. 28, 1914 – July 25, 1916

• Before the war Germany agreed on a single black stripe for its national markings.

July 25, 1916 – Oct. 29, 1916

Oct. 29, 1916 – March 17, 1918

The Balkenkreuz• The curved shape

of the Eisernes Kreuz was too easily mistakable for an allied cockade so the German military switched to the Balkenkreuz (Beam cross).

• This new design was a full chord of fuselage depth with a vertical to horizontal arm-length ratio of 5:4.

– Width of the white border to the arm was 1:4

– Arm width to length ratio was changed to 1:8

– Arm ends were not bordered.

• The vertical and horizontal arm length were reverted to a 1:1 ratio for the duration of the war.

March 17, 1918 – April 10, 1918.

•Dimensions for the Balkenkreuz were established. The arms had a length to width ratio of 1:4.

April 10, 1918 – May 15, 1918.

May 15, 1918 – June 25, 1918.

June 25, 1918 – Nov. 11, 1918 (War’s end).

• In the opening rounds of the war it was imperative to have high-output reliable aircraft engines that could sustain great performance in combat and offer a large load carrying capacity.

• Germany went with in-line water-cooled power plants virtually from the start of the war while allied engines were predominately of a rotary type in the early years.

• These rotary engines had the advantage of being air-cooled but were at an extreme disadvantage due to the fact that the entire engine revolved around the crankshaft. This created terrible torque problems making the plane hard to control. Rotary engines were often exposed to gunfire and apt to catch fire.

19161916

Albatros D.II

Albatros D.III

Fokker D.II

Halberstadt D.II

Roland D.II

Albatros D.IIAlbatros D.II• Albatros D.II

Manufacturer: Albatros Werke GmbHType: FighterFirst Introduced: 1916Engine: Mercedes D.IIIa, 6 cylinder inline, 160 hpWing Span: 27 ft 10 ¾ in 8.5 mLength: 24 ft 3 in 7.4 mHeight: 8 ft 6 ½ in 2.95 mGross Weight: 1,954 lbs 888 kgMax Speed: 109 mph 175 km/hCeiling: 17,060 ft 5,200mEndurance: 1 hour 30 minsCrew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau machine guns

• The 2 synchronous Spandau machine guns set the standard for all German and Allied fighters that followed.

• Oswald Boelckes unit, Jasta 2, was the first squadron to achieve great success with the Albatros D.II.

• It offered improved upward visibility over earlier models as the top wing was lowered.

Albatros D.IIIAlbatros D.III• Albatros D.III

Manufacturer: Albatros Werke GmbH

Type: FighterFirst Introduced: January 1917Number Built: 1,350Engine: Mercedes D.IIIa, 6 cylinder inline, 175 hpWing Span: 29 ft 8¼ in 9.05 mLength: 24 ft ½ in 7.33 mHeight: 9 ft 9 ¼ in 2.98 mGross Weight: 1,949 lbs 886 kgSpeed: 109 mph 175 km/h 3,281 ft 1,000 mCeiling: 18,044 ft 5,500 mEndurance: 2 hoursCrew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau light

machine guns

• The Albatros D.III was known for its superior climbing abilities.

• The size of the lower wing was reduced by using V-struts which would often cause the wing to crack in flight due to excessive twisting.

• The Red Baron would fly Albatros models until the advent of the Fokker Dr.I.

The Fokker D.IIThe Fokker D.II

• Engine: 1 x Oberursel U.II 110 hp.Wingspan: 9.04 mLength: 6.29 mWeight: 450 kg/708kgMax. speed: 160 km/h Ceiling: 4720 mCrew: 1Armament: 2 x machineguns • This design was

similar to the original Fokker Eindecker and was not as popular as the Albatros D.III.

Halberstadt D.IIHalberstadt D.II• Engine: 1 x Mercedes

D.II 120 hp.Wingspan: 8.80 mLength: 7.30 mWeight: 561 kg/771 kgMax. speed: 145 km/h Ceiling: 5000 mCrew: 1Armament: 1 x machineguns

• This was not a particularly well received aircraft as it lacked in fire power, its engine was underpowered and slow, and it could not match the altitudes of other planes.

Roland D.IIRoland D.II

• Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.III

160 hp.Wingspan: 8.94 mLength: 6.93 mWeight: 653 kg/793 kgMax. speed:169 km/h Ceiling: 5200 mCrew: 1Armament: 2 x

machineguns • This design utilized a strong lightweight fuselage made of wood.

• It suffered from a design flaw which limited the forward view of the pilot.

19171917

Albatros D.V

Pfalz D.III

Fokker Dr.I

Fokker D.VI

Siemens Schuckert D.III

Albatros D.VAlbatros D.V• Manufacturer: Albatros

Werke GmbHType: FighterFirst Introduced: 1917Engine: Mercedes IIIa, 180 hpWing Span: 29 ft 8¼ inLength: 24 ft ½ inHeight: 8 ft 10¼ inGross Weight: 2061 lbMax Speed: 116 mph at

3281 ftCeiling: 18,700 ftEndurance: 2 hoursCrew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau machine guns

• The wing design of the French Nieuport was adopted in an attempt to improve on maneuverability.

• Early in their release, this new design met with a series of fatal crashes due to wing failure.

• This model utilized ‘V’ shaped wing braces instead of the parallel design of earlier models.

• Despite the later wing problems, most of Germanys top aces scored their victories on Albatros models.

• Von Richthofen downed 60 of his 80 victories flying various models of the Albatros D.II, D.III, and D.V.

Pfalz D.IIIPfalz D.III• Year Developed – 1917

Wingspan – 9.4 mLength – 6.95mHeight – 2.67mWing area – 22.14mWeight kg: empty –

690normal takeoff – 925

Engine - 1 PE Mercedes D.III

Power, hp – 1 y 160Max Speed, km/h –

165Endurance – 2hours

30minService ceiling –

5180mCrew – 1Armament – 2 x

7.92mm machine guns LMG 08/15

• The Pfalz D.III is considered the most handsome model released during the war.

• The release of the Pfalz helped revive Germanys air dominance at the time.

• It was not a great fighter but was very fast in the dive.

• Prior to WWI the Pfalz company acquired the rights to various Morane-Saulnier (French) models and later Roland.

• Learning from the construction of these other designs, Pfalz utilized the wooden fuselage from the Roland model on their own planes.

• One complaint of the D.III was that machine gun access was buried under the forward decking.

• This was rectified in later models by moving them to the ‘normal’ position on the decking in front of the pilot.

Fokker D.VIFokker D.VI• Manufacturer: Fokker

Flugzeug-Werke GmbHType: FighterEngine: 1 x Rhone 110 hp.Wingspan: 7.66 mLength: 6.19 mWeight: 392 kg/582 kgMax. speed: 201 km/h Ceiling: 5940 mCrew: 1Armament: 2 x machineguns

• This was an excellent design that was not to be. Due to the great success of its predecessor, the Fokker D.VII, it was vastly overshadowed and forgotten.

• The design was based on the stretched fuselage of the Fokker Dr.I. Only a handful were built and saw action.

Siemens Schuckert D.IIISiemens Schuckert D.III• Manufacturer:

Siemens-SchuckertType: FighterEngine: 1 x Siemens-Halske SH.III 160 hp.Wingspan: 8.40 mLength: 5.75 mWeight: 534 kg/725 kgMax. speed: 180 km/h Ceiling: 8000 mCrew: 1Armament: 2 x machineguns

• The engine possessed a propeller with cylinders that rotated opposite the crankcase resulting in slower propeller speed for the same power with the elimination of torque.

• The SSW D.III was designed as a fast climbing interceptor with a new 11 cylinder counter rotary engine.

• These were the first German planes to possess a 2 bladed propeller and long undercarriage.

• On the side of his D.III he inscribed ‘LO’ for his Fiancée Elanore ‘Lolo’ Zink.

• Ernst Udet was Ernst Udet was the second the second highest scoring highest scoring German Ace of German Ace of WWI (62 victories) WWI (62 victories) and the highest and the highest scoring German to scoring German to survive the war.survive the war.

Fokker Dr.IFokker Dr.I• Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeug-Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeug-

Werke GmbHWerke GmbHType: FighterType: FighterFirst Introduced: August 1917First Introduced: August 1917Number Built: 320Number Built: 320Engine: Oberursel UR.II, 9 cylinder Engine: Oberursel UR.II, 9 cylinder reciprocatingreciprocatingWing Span: 23 ft 7 3/8 in 7.19 mWing Span: 23 ft 7 3/8 in 7.19 mLength: 18 ft 11 1/8 in 5.77 mLength: 18 ft 11 1/8 in 5.77 mHeight: 9 ft 8 inHeight: 9 ft 8 inEmpty Weight: 893 lbEmpty Weight: 893 lbGross Weight: 1,289.2 lb 586 kgGross Weight: 1,289.2 lb 586 kgSpeed: 103 mph 165 kmh 13120 Speed: 103 mph 165 kmh 13120 ft 4000 mft 4000 mCeiling:Ceiling:20,013 ft 6100 m20,013 ft 6100 mEndurance:Endurance:1.5 hours1.5 hoursCrew: 1Crew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau 7.92 mm Armament: 2 Spandau 7.92 mm machine gunsmachine guns

• Although considered a tri-Although considered a tri-plane, the strut between the plane, the strut between the wheels is as wide as the first wheels is as wide as the first wing and just short of 1/3 the wing and just short of 1/3 the wingspan. This provided for wingspan. This provided for additional lift thus allowing the additional lift thus allowing the wings to be shorter than would wings to be shorter than would normally be required for a true normally be required for a true tri-plane.tri-plane.

• Utilizing a Utilizing a cantilever wing cantilever wing design over design over traditional bracing traditional bracing wires, the plane wires, the plane experienced lower experienced lower drag while the pilot drag while the pilot did not have to did not have to worry about having worry about having the bracing wires the bracing wires shot off in combat.shot off in combat.

• Overhead Overhead view looking view looking down into down into the Fokker the Fokker Dr.I cockpit.Dr.I cockpit.

• Several pilots met their demise in fatal Several pilots met their demise in fatal crashes and the plane was temporarily crashes and the plane was temporarily withdrawn from service. Despite withdrawn from service. Despite structural improvements the planes structural improvements the planes reputation never recovered.reputation never recovered.

19181918

Fokker E.V – D.VIII

Fokker D.VII

Junkers D.I

Pfalz D.XII

Siemens Schuckert D.IV

Roland D.VI

Fokker E.V Fokker E.V or D.IIIor D.III

• Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeug-Werke GmbHType: FighterFirst Introduced: 1918Number Built: About 290Engine: Oberursel UR-II, 9 cylinder rotary, 110 hpWing Span: 27 ft 6.75 inLength: 19 ft 4 inHeight: 9 ft 3 inGross Weight: 1,238 lbMax Speed: 115 mph at sea levelCeiling: 20,670 ftEndurance: 1.5 hoursCrew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau machine guns

• Dubbed the ‘Flying Razor’ by Allied pilots, this model had the distinction of scoring the last aerial victory of the war.

• Anthony Fokker realized that by using only one set of wings there would be a significant reduction in drag.

• Despite being considered radically different than most biplanes at the time, the Fokker entered production as the Fokker E.V.

• The E.V was considered to cost less man hours to build than any other WWI aircraft.

• Like previous Fokker designs that suffered wing malfunctions, this model was no different.

• After 3 accidents in 3 weeks, Fokker set out to discover why his planes were suffering wing malfunctions.

• It was discovered that the wings center of flexure lay to far behind its center of pressure resulting in a phenomenon known as divergence.

• The stiffness of the wing The stiffness of the wing was reduced and the was reduced and the plane was renamed the plane was renamed the Fokker D.III – the ‘D’, Fokker D.III – the ‘D’, normally referring to normally referring to Dopple or Dri decker, Dopple or Dri decker, here refers to the wing here refers to the wing being twice as strong.being twice as strong.

Junkers D.IJunkers D.I• Year deployed 1918

Wing span, 9.00m Length, 7.25mHeight, 2.60mWing area, 14.80m2 Weight, kg - empty aircraft - 654- normal take-off - 834Engine – 1 PE BMW IIIa Power, hp – 1 Y 185Maximum speed, 225km/h Cruising speed, 202km/h Range, 250kmRate of climb, m/minService ceiling, 6000mCrew - 1Armament: 2 x 7.92 mm machine gun LMG 08/15 Spandau

• The Junkers was set apart from previous aircraft with its cantilevered low wing design and its duralumin skin. Duralumin was a light

yet strong metal used in Zeppelin construction.

• This design was fast and agile but is said to have arrived “a decade ahead of its time yet a year too late”.

Pfalz D.XIIPfalz D.XII• Country: GermanyCountry: Germany

Manufacturer: Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke Manufacturer: Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke GmbHGmbHType: FighterType: FighterFirst Service: July 1918First Service: July 1918NumberBuilt:750-800NumberBuilt:750-800Engine(s): Mercedes D IIIa, 6 cylinder, Engine(s): Mercedes D IIIa, 6 cylinder, liquid cooled inline, 180 hpliquid cooled inline, 180 hpWing Span:29 ft 6½ in [9 m]Wing Span:29 ft 6½ in [9 m]Length:20 ft 10 in [6.35 m]Length:20 ft 10 in [6.35 m]Height:8 ft 10¼ in [2.7 m]Height:8 ft 10¼ in [2.7 m]Empty Weight:1588 lbs (722 kg)Empty Weight:1588 lbs (722 kg)Gross Weight:1,989 lb [902 kg]Gross Weight:1,989 lb [902 kg]Max Speed:106 mph [170km/h]Max Speed:106 mph [170km/h]Ceiling:18,537 ft [5,650 m]Ceiling:18,537 ft [5,650 m]Endurance:2½ hoursEndurance:2½ hoursCrew:1Crew:1Armament: 2 x machine gunsArmament: 2 x machine guns

• These planes These planes were composed were composed entirely of wood entirely of wood with a semi-with a semi-monocoque monocoque fuselage.fuselage.

MonocoqueMonocoque – – The body The body supports the supports the external weight external weight of the structure.of the structure.

• Its claim to fame Its claim to fame lies in the slight lies in the slight extension of the extension of the wing which is often wing which is often portrayed in WWI portrayed in WWI aviation films.aviation films.

Roland D.VIRoland D.VI

• Engine: 1 x Mercedes D.IIIa 180 hp.Wingspan: 9.39 mLength: 6.34 mWeight: 690 kg/901 kgMax. speed: 183 km/h Ceiling: 5790 mCrew: 1Armament: 2 x machineguns

• This sleek shark like design was the final refinement of all similar models that preceded it.

Its ‘clinker’ style fuselage allowed for a light yet strong structure that required little maintenance with easier access to the engine.

Siemens Schuckert D.IVSiemens Schuckert D.IV• Country: GermanyCountry: Germany

Manufacturer: Siemens-Manufacturer: Siemens-SchuckertSchuckertType: FighterType: FighterEntered Service: 1918Entered Service: 1918Number Built: 123Number Built: 123Engine: Siemens-Halske Sh Engine: Siemens-Halske Sh IIIa, rotary, 160 hpIIIa, rotary, 160 hpWing Span: 8.35 mWing Span: 8.35 mLength: 5.70 mLength: 5.70 mEmpty Weight: 540 kgEmpty Weight: 540 kgMax Speed: 184 km/h in 20 Max Speed: 184 km/h in 20 minutesminutesCeiling: 26,000 ft Crew: 1Ceiling: 26,000 ft Crew: 1Armament: Two 7.9 mm Armament: Two 7.9 mm machine guns machine guns

• These aircraft were These aircraft were considered considered superior to the well superior to the well renowned Fokker renowned Fokker D.VII, but entered D.VII, but entered service to late to service to late to have an impact in have an impact in the war.the war.

• The D.VI was an The D.VI was an improvement over the improvement over the D.III model but was still D.III model but was still slower than adequate. slower than adequate. Its Advantage lie in its Its Advantage lie in its maneuverability and maneuverability and capacity to reach higher capacity to reach higher altitudes with ease.altitudes with ease.

Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VII• Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeug-Werke

GmbHType: FighterFirst Introduced: End of April, 1918Number Built: about 1700Engines:Mercedes D-III 6 cylinder inline,

160 hp BMW IIIa inline, 185 hpWing Span:29 ft 3.5 inLength:22 ft 11.5 inHeight:9 ft 2.5 inEmpty Weight:1,540 lbGross Weight:1,939 lbSpeed:118 mph - Mercedes 124 mph - BMWCeiling:18,000 ft Mercedes 21,000 ft BMWEndurance: 1.5 hoursCrew: 1Armament: 2 Spandau 7.92 mm machine guns

• Considered to be the best aircraft from any country to enter the war, it was said to “make a mediocre pilot good and a good pilot great”.

• Manfred Von Richthofen himself took the prototype for a test flight, but never had a chance to fly it in battle as he was killed just days before it entered service.

• The Fokker company itself could not manufacture planes fast enough to meet demand.

• Rival Albatros, and the Albatros subsiduary of OAW, were directed to assist in production under license by the German government.

• With its release relatively close to the end of the war, the Fokker D.VII was sought in mass quantities.

• Despite OAW never producing a single plane, Albatros and Fokker managed to produce around 1700 aircraft between them.

• As early problems ensued, each company used their own style of engine covers and coolers on the same models.

• This led to engines periodically exploding during flight due to high temperatures.– This is thought to have been

caused by the engine temperature igniting phosphorous ammunition.

• Fokker ran into this problem more often than Albatros as they were known for their poor workmanship and materials.

The ArmisticeThe Armistice

• When Germany surrendered to the allies it was neither militarily defeated nor even economically defunct.

• Both sides were physically exhausted.

• The British Prime minister was even beginning to create a record that would shift the blame for the loss of the war to others.

• In August, just 3 months before the Armistice was signed, the German air force achieved 565 victories despite being vastly outnumbered by allied pilots and planes. This was due in large part to the introduction of the Fokker D.VII.

• The Fokker D.VII is the only German aircraft specifically mentioned in the terms of the Armistice to be turned over to the Allies.

The EndThe End

Work Cited• Pearson, Bo & Chris Banyai-Riepl, History in Illustration. 2003. 4. Dec. 2005 < www.cbrnp.com>. • The Aerodrome 12. Dec. 2005. 14. Dec. 2005 <http://www.theaerodrome.com>. • Boucher, Ira, wwiaviation.com. 1, Sept. 2002 History Channel.com Dec 4. 2005 http://www.wwiaviation.coml

• Duffy, Michael First World War.com. 10, Dec. 2005. 4, Dec. 2005 <http://www.firstworldwar.com>• http://www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com• Provozovatel létajícího cirkusu http://www.letajicicirkus.cz/video.php • Winkler, Gretchen & K. M. von Tiedemann, Pour Le Merite.org. 8. Dec. 2005 History Channel.com 4. Dec. 2005 <

http://www.pourlemerite.org/>• Filan, Rod, Rosebuds WWI and Early Aviation Image Archive 13. Dec. 2005. 4. Dec. 2005 <

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive1.htm#list>• http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/ghosts/• Winter, William. Airplanes of the World: 1490 to 1969. New York: Simon Schuster, 1969