World One War: Fokker Dr.I
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The Fokker Dr.I is ultimately the most well-known single seat fighter of World War One.
The Dr.I, from its introduction in 1917 to the end of the war, saw widespread service and was used by many German aces. On ace in particular, became a household name following the painting of his Dr.I red.
Manfred Von Richtofen gained 18 of his 80 victories in this notable aircraft by the time of his death on the 21st April 1918.
The production of the Fokker DR.I began with the appearance of the Sopwith Triplane on the Western Front during early 1917. The new Sopwith proved to be far more resilient and airworthy than the German Albatros fighters.
Anthony Fokker’s works, Flugzeugwerke responded to this new allied threat by converting a biplane prototype in the V.4 which was a rotary powered triplane, which was designed and built in collaboration with Hugo Junkers.
The initial tests revealed that the V.4 had dangerously high control forces which came from the use of unbalanced ailerons. Unsatisfied with this version, Fokker then submitted a prototype designated V.5
The most notable features were the longer wing spans and horn-balanced ailerons. The V.5 also included inter-wing struts, which minimised the wings flexing.
Following further tests, in July 1917, the Idflieg (Inspectorate of Flying Troops) issued Fokker with an order for 20 pre-production aircraft. When delivered to the Idflieg, the V.5 prototype was tested to destruction in August 1917.
Following the trials by the Idflieg, two pre-production triplanes were delivered to Jastas 10 and 11 for combat evaluation, arriving in late august 1917.
Richtofen first flew one of the prototype models in September 1917 and downed two allied aircraft. Richtofen reported that not only was the aircraft superior to allied fighters, but recommended that fighter squadrons be equipped with this new aircraft as soon as possible.
Despite Richtofen’s glowing report, the combat evaluation ended when aces Kurt Wolff and Werner Voss were both killed by the end of September 1917.
Although Voss and Wolff were killed, the remaining pre-production aircraft were delivered to Jasta 11; the Idflieg then issued an order for 100 triplanes in September 1917 and an order for 200 in November.
The final model which has become famous was delivered to Richtofen’s Jagdgeschwader I in October 1917.
In looking at the aircraft, the Dr.I offered exceptional manoeuvrability. Although the ailerons were not powerful, the rudder and elevator compensated for the ailerons weakness.
Franz Hermer of Jasta 6 noted:
“The triplane was my favourite fighting machine because it had such wonderful flying qualities. I could let myself stunt — looping and rolling — and could avoid an enemy by diving with perfect safety. The triplane had to be given up because although it was very manoeuvrable, it was no longer fast enough”
Slower than allied fighters in diving and flight, the Dr.I’s rate of climb was outstanding, however the performance of the engine dropped at higher altitudes.
Following the war progressing into 1918, the shortage of castor oil resulted in rotary operation of engines difficult. The substitute lubricant, ersatz, meant many engines failed.
There were other problems with the Dr.I. The pilots’ sight from the cockpit was extremely limited; further to this the cockpit was dangerous to the pilot as the proximity of the guns to the pilot, left pilots vulnerable to head injury in the event of crashing.
Fokker’s triplanes’ structural problems destroyed its development, and in total only 320 had been produced by May 1918. Ultimately the Fokker Dr.I was withdrawn from frontline service and the Fokker D.VII took its place in the following months.
The remaining aircraft were used to train raw young pilots and serve in home defence units. Following the armistice, many Dr.I’s were assigned to allied training schools. Although allied pilots had become wary of this now famous fighter, following the war, pilots had found their handling qualities to be better than allied aircraft.
The Dr.I not only became famous for its use by the “Red Baron” but by the men who flew this remarkable machine. The top aces of the day, men including Werner Voss, Kurt Wolff and Lothar von Richtofen scored many of their victories in this aircraft.
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1917 Fokker Dr1 Triplane
Aerial combat scene from The Red Baron Film
Mikael Carlson and his Fokker Dr.1 "Dreidecker" - air-to-air!
Apostle Jack Level 3 Commenter 12 months ago
You did it well.I see quality.