German Fighters in World War I: The Fokker Dr. I

(To Francesco Sisto)
13/01/25

The triplane fighter Fokker dr I It was one of the most important German aircraft used in the First World War.

The first prototype took flight for the first time on July 5, 1917; the aircraft was built by the aeronautical company Fokker and in total more than 300 examples were built.

The aircraft had excellent handling qualities and its rate of climb was extraordinary.

The variant Fokker V.7, in October 1917, reached a maximum speed of 190 km/h in horizontal flight, which was however disputed by numerous witnesses. In particular atmospheric conditions - according to historical reconstructions of the period - some triplanes Fokker they climbed to an altitude of 8000 m.1 However, the aircraft never reached perfection because, built to perform daring maneuvers and moves, it was not able to withstand the heavy stresses of aerobatic flight. Furthermore, it had shortcomings and vulnerabilities in both the engine and protection.

Il Fokker dr I became very famous as the fighter of Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen (nicknamed the "Red Baron"). Von Richthofen is considered the ace of aces in the First World War, being officially credited with 80 victories in aerial combat.

Il Red Baron He achieved his last 17 victories with the Fokker dr I.

Another German aviation ace in the First World War was Josef Jacobs with 48 combat victories and 30 with the Fokker dr I.

The triplane Fokker dr I It had an upper wingspan of 7,19 m, height 2,95 m and length 5,77 m.

The empty weight was 406 kg, while fully loaded 586 kg.

Engine: 1 Motorenfabrik Oberursel 9 cylinders, power 110 hp. The maximum speed was 180 km/h at 2600 m and the service ceiling was 6100 m.

Armament consisted of two 08 mm MG 7,92 machine guns.

1 See G.Bonacina, The Fokker Dr. I, in Illustrated History n°151, 1970, p.132

Photo: web