The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world. The J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing is a two-story gallery that highlights the stories of courage, dedication, heroism and the triumph of the human spirit of those involved in fighter aviation in World War I and World War II. The second story of this wing looks at World War I. Shown below are some of the German airplanes which are on display.
Fokker E.III Eindecker (reproduction)
The Eindecker (German for monoplane) was one of World War I’s most recognizable aircraft. It featured a mid-wing monoplane design with a distinct comma-shaped tail. It also featured a machine gun and a relatively dependable interrupter gear which allowed it to shoot through the propeller. According to the display:
“The Eindecker had a notoriously weak structure, and the firing mechanism was prone to failure—causing some pilots to blow off their own propellers!”
The 1915 Fokker E. III had a top speed of 87 mph and a service ceiling of 11,500 feet. It was powered with a Oberursel UR.1 100 hp 9-cyclinder rotary engine. It carried one 7.92 mm LMG machine guns.
Fokker D.VIII (reproduction)
The Fokker D.VIII, called The Razor by British pilots, entered the War late. According to the display:
“By the time the D.VIII went into service, it had very little time to prove itself in combat. Nevertheless, the new fighter offered great visibility, excellence performance, and pleasing flight characteristics.”
The 1918 Fokker D.VIII had a top speed of 115 mph and a service ceiling of 20,670 feet. It was powered by a 110 hp, 9-cylinder rotary Overursel UR.II engine. It carried two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns.
Albatros D.Va (reproduction)
At the beginning of the War, the D.I and D.II versions of the Albatros were considered fast, hearty, and well-armed, but by the end of the War, the D.Va was considered outdated. Among its problems was the V wing struts which made the lower wing susceptible to flutter, twist, and failure. The Va has a small extra support to help strengthen the wing, but pilots were still instructed not to dive too steeply. More than 1,500 D.V and D.Va airplanes were produced.
The 1917 Albatros D.Va had a top speed of 103 mph and a ceiling of 20,500 feet. It was powered by a Mercedes D.IIIa 180 hp 6-cylinder in-line engine. It carried two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns.
Aviatik D.1
The Aviatik D.1 had excellent flying characteristics and climbed very well.
The 1917 D.I, made in Austria-Hungary, had a top speed of 115 mph and a ceiling of 20,200 feet. It was powered by an Austro-Daimler 200-hp 6-cylinder in-line engine. It carried two Schwarzlose 8 mm machine guns.
Fokker Dr.I Triplane (reproduction)
The Fokker Triplane was built in response to the success of the British Sopwith Triplane.
The 1917 Fokker Dr.I Triplane had a top speed of 103 mph and a ceiling of 19,680 feet. It was powered with a Oberursel UR.II 110 hp 9-cylinder rotary engine. It carried two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns.
Pfalz D. XII
According to the display:
“The Pfalz was a good, sturdy plane that could hold its own in the hands of a skilled pilot and dive at high speeds with perfect safety. Many Pfalz fighters were supplied to German squadrons that had run short of the famously popular Fokkers.”
The 1918 Pfalz D.XII had a top speed 112 mph and a ceiling of 18,500 feet. It was powered by a Mercedes D.HIa 180 hp 6-cylinder in-line engine. It carried two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns.
More Museum of Flight photo tours
Museum of Flight: World War I seaplane models (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: The First Fighter Plane (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: Some early airplanes (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: Some early Boeing airplanes (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: Building early airplanes (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: World War II carrier-based airplanes (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: World War II Japanese seaplane models (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: Jet fighters of the 1950s (photo diary)