Pfalz D.VIII

After the successful Pfalz D.III developed the company Pfalz aircraft works several prototypes, whereby only the Pfalz D.VIII was built in larger numbers, whereby only few airplanes came to the end of the war to the employment.

Development and construction:

After already the production of the Pfalz D.III was in full swing, the designers of the company Pfalz Flugzeugwerke tried to develop a successor model. Under the direction of senior engineer Rudolph Geringer, a total of five different prototypes were built in the coming months, with only the models D.VI, D.VII and D.VIII were registered for comparison flights in Berlin Adlershof.

The D.VI had installed at the time of the demonstration a 110 hp Le-Rhône engine, the D.VII and the D.VIII 160 hp Siemens-Halske engine. Although this was more powerful, but was considered not very reliable and needed for the operation of a special oil, which was difficult to obtain due to the war.

None of the presented Pfalz aircraft was able to completely convince the German army command and all types were inferior to the Fokker D.VII. Nevertheless, the army ordered 120 aircraft at the company.

Pfalz D.VIII

Use in the First World War:

From September 1918, the first Pfalz D.VIII aircraft arrived at the Western Front. However, nothing is known about their operations, and the war was over a few weeks later.

Technical specifications:

You can find the right literature here:

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) Paperback – Bargain Price, August 25, 2001

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

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Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21) Paperback – February 16, 2016

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

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German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918 Paperback – December 15, 2010

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

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The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division Hardcover – January 9, 1997

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

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