Fokker D.VII (Replica)
In 1917, faced with better quality Allied fighters, the German Luftstreitskrafte issued a requirement for a new fighter. Fokker responded with its V11. Though Fokker had a good reputation, his new design looked ungainly: the wings were thicker than usual, the fuselage boxy, and the engine a flat block; it was not sleek like the triplane Dr.I or the Albatros D.V. Manfred von Richthofen, the famous "Red Baron," was invited to fly the prototype, and his evaluation was that it needed modification. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail redesigned, which met Richthofen's satisfaction. The design, designated Fokker D.VII, entered production in January 1918.
It soon proved to be arguably the finest fighter of World War I, and certainly the best German design. It was tough due to its thick wings, maneuverable, and superb in the vertical--it could handle dives that would shred a Dr.I, and outclimb the Sopwith Camel. D.VII pilots learned they could skid the tail and fire upwards into an enemy aircraft without loss of control. It was also remarkably easy to fly, an important factor for new pilots entering the war. In August 1918 alone, D.VIIs shot down over 550 Allied aircraft. Though the Allies fielded their own fighters capable of fighting the D.VII, it was just as well that the war ended in November 1918, because the Germans were threatening to achieve air superiority for the first time since 1915.
Though the Treaty of Versailles made a point of destroying all Fokker D.VIIs, quite a few survived, taken as war prizes by the Allies or exported to other nations. Poland would use them in combat in the 1920 Russo-Polish War, and it would equip several other European air forces into the 1920s. None flyable survive, though seven are in museums; reproductions are fairly common, however.
This D.VII is a reproduction, painted in the colors of Jasta 18; this squadron produced about a dozen aces, including one of its commanders, the one-handed Rudolf Berthold (44 kills). This replica is displayed over an amazing (and chilling) diorama of some American soldiers trying to get a wounded man out under fire at night at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
Many thanks to my friend Darren, who got this shot with his far superior phone camera.
Fokker D.VII (Replica)
In 1917, faced with better quality Allied fighters, the German Luftstreitskrafte issued a requirement for a new fighter. Fokker responded with its V11. Though Fokker had a good reputation, his new design looked ungainly: the wings were thicker than usual, the fuselage boxy, and the engine a flat block; it was not sleek like the triplane Dr.I or the Albatros D.V. Manfred von Richthofen, the famous "Red Baron," was invited to fly the prototype, and his evaluation was that it needed modification. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail redesigned, which met Richthofen's satisfaction. The design, designated Fokker D.VII, entered production in January 1918.
It soon proved to be arguably the finest fighter of World War I, and certainly the best German design. It was tough due to its thick wings, maneuverable, and superb in the vertical--it could handle dives that would shred a Dr.I, and outclimb the Sopwith Camel. D.VII pilots learned they could skid the tail and fire upwards into an enemy aircraft without loss of control. It was also remarkably easy to fly, an important factor for new pilots entering the war. In August 1918 alone, D.VIIs shot down over 550 Allied aircraft. Though the Allies fielded their own fighters capable of fighting the D.VII, it was just as well that the war ended in November 1918, because the Germans were threatening to achieve air superiority for the first time since 1915.
Though the Treaty of Versailles made a point of destroying all Fokker D.VIIs, quite a few survived, taken as war prizes by the Allies or exported to other nations. Poland would use them in combat in the 1920 Russo-Polish War, and it would equip several other European air forces into the 1920s. None flyable survive, though seven are in museums; reproductions are fairly common, however.
This D.VII is a reproduction, painted in the colors of Jasta 18; this squadron produced about a dozen aces, including one of its commanders, the one-handed Rudolf Berthold (44 kills). This replica is displayed over an amazing (and chilling) diorama of some American soldiers trying to get a wounded man out under fire at night at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
Many thanks to my friend Darren, who got this shot with his far superior phone camera.