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Starting with the introduction of the D.I in August 1916, the Albatros D series produced many of the most iconic German fighter planes of World War I. However, while early planes from the run were considered fast, hearty, and well-armed compared to the opponents they met in the skies, the Albatros D.V had lost considerable ground by the time of its introduction. It was outmatched by the more powerful SPAD and S.E.5a or the more maneuverable Sopwith Camel. It was also plagued by design deficiencies. "The D.V is so outdated that one does not risk anything with it," were the harsh words from fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen. "And the people at home, for nearly a year, have developed nothing better than the lousy Albatros."
The Albatros D.Va was an updated version of the D.V that attempted to address the worst design flaws -- in particular, the "V" wing struts that caused the lower wing to flutter in high speed dives, which could lead to structural failure. Even with added support to strengthen the union between wing and wing strut, the D.Va was far from perfect. Pilots were often instructed not to dive too steeply in the plane.
Despite these shortcomings, the Albatros factory was willing and capable of producing large numbers of planes, and the war was raging. The result was that, when an Allied pilot encountered a German fighter, it was usually an Albatros. Over 2,500 examples of the D.V and D.Va were made. Armament consisted of two 7.92mm Maschinengewehr (MG) 08/15 machine guns, with interrupter gear to fire through the propeller arc. These guns were sometimes referred to as "Spandau," in reference to the arsenal where much of the German small arms development and production occurred.
The Museum's D.Va reproduction was completed in 1984 and delivered to the Champlin Collection. Airframe and wings were built by Art Williams in Germany, and the final assembly and finish work was completed by Jim and Zona Appleby. The aircraft bears the markings of German ace George van Hippel and incorporates an original Mercedes D.IIIa engine.
Starting with the introduction of the D.I in August 1916, the Albatros D series produced many of the most iconic German fighter planes of World War I. However, while early planes from the run were considered fast, hearty, and well-armed compared to the opponents they met in the skies, the Albatros D.V had lost considerable ground by the time of its introduction. It was outmatched by the more powerful SPAD and S.E.5a or the more maneuverable Sopwith Camel. It was also plagued by design deficiencies. "The D.V is so outdated that one does not risk anything with it," were the harsh words from fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen. "And the people at home, for nearly a year, have developed nothing better than the lousy Albatros."
The Albatros D.Va was an updated version of the D.V that attempted to address the worst design flaws -- in particular, the "V" wing struts that caused the lower wing to flutter in high speed dives, which could lead to structural failure. Even with added support to strengthen the union between wing and wing strut, the D.Va was far from perfect. Pilots were often instructed not to dive too steeply in the plane.
Despite these shortcomings, the Albatros factory was willing and capable of producing large numbers of planes, and the war was raging. The result was that, when an Allied pilot encountered a German fighter, it was usually an Albatros. Over 2,500 examples of the D.V and D.Va were made. Armament consisted of two 7.92mm Maschinengewehr (MG) 08/15 machine guns, with interrupter gear to fire through the propeller arc. These guns were sometimes referred to as "Spandau," in reference to the arsenal where much of the German small arms development and production occurred.
The Museum's D.Va reproduction was completed in 1984 and delivered to the Champlin Collection. Airframe and wings were built by Art Williams in Germany, and the final assembly and finish work was completed by Jim and Zona Appleby. The aircraft bears the markings of German ace George van Hippel and incorporates an original Mercedes D.IIIa engine.
