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The Pfalz D.III Biplane History
The Pfalz D.III biplane was built by
the German aircraft manufacturer Pfalz Flugzeugwerke and used by the
Luftstreitkrafte as a fighter aircraft during WW1. This aircraft
was Pfalz’s first major original design and was the result of the
efforts of their Chief Engineer Rudolph Gehringer. The monocoque
fuselage was constructed from plywood covered with fabric, the wings
were wood covered with fabric and the ailerons were also made of
wood. The Pfalz D.III prototype first flew in April 1917, and after
testing in May 2017 an order was placed by the Idfleig, Germany’s
Inspectorate of Flying Troops, for a modified version which included
a larger rudder.
The Pfalz D.III Biplane
Operational History
Jasta 10 became the first to receive the Pfalz D.III which started
arriving in August 1917. It was a strong and sturdy aircraft making
it good for diving, however several flaws in it's performance left the pilots considering it to be inferior to the
Albatros D.III and D.V. These flaws included lack of power, lack of
speed, heavy controls, slipping in turns, and sharp stalling.
The Pfalz D.III
Biplane Problem Solving
An additional
problem encountered by the pilots was the inability to clear jammed
guns, as they were housed in the fuselage. A modification, resulting
in the D.IIIa, solved this issue by relocating the guns on the
upper fuselage decking. A more powerful engine was also fitted. Of
the 260 D.III and 750 D.IIIa aircraft produced, 100 remained in
frontline service at the end of WW1 while others were being used in
training schools. Some D.IIIa biplanes were supplied to Turkey
for the Ottoman Air Force.
There are no known
originals of this biplane surviving today, however there are two flying
replicas in New Zealand which were built for the 1966 war film The
Blue Max.
Various scale
models, model kits and plans of this aircraft have been available in
the market place.
Pfalz D.III
Biplane Specifications:
Pfalz D.III
Crew:
Pilot
Pfalz D.III
Length: 22ft 10in (6.95m)
Pfalz D.III
Wingspan: 30ft 10in (9.4m)
Pfalz D.III
Height: 8ft 9in (2.67m)
Pfalz D.III Wing area: 238.6ft² (22.17 m²)
Pfalz D.III Empty weight: 1,532lb (695kg)
Pfalz D.III Gross weight: 2,056lb (933kg)
Pfalz D.III Engine: Single Mercedes D.IIIa 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line
piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp)
Pfalz D.III Maximum speed: 102.5mph (165 km/h)
Pfalz D.III Endurance: 2½ hours
Pfalz D.III Service Ceiling: 17,001ft (5,182m)
Pfalz D.III Biplane Armament
Guns
2 × 7.92 mm LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns
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