- quality wooden model WWI and WWII airplanes -
- quality wooden model WWI and WWII airplanes -
Albatross D.V, Luftwaffe
|
Photography by Action Asia Photo
|
The tremendous success of the Albatross Scouts in the early months of 1917 encouraged a feeling of complacency in the Germans. It was felt that the Albatross Werke (factory) would continue to produce war winning fighters. However, by May 1917, Allied airplanes like the Spad and Sopwith Pup were able to out fly the Albatross D.III and they were appearing in numbers. With some dismay it was then realized that the new Albatros D.V was little better than its predecessor. The engine fitted to the D.V was the 180 hp Mercedes (the 160 hp Mercedes with an increased compression ratio). The radiator was set in the top wing and machines operating in Palestine had two radiators. Wings, inter-plane struts and tail were identical to those of the D.III, but the D.V's aileron cables passed through the top wing instead of the lower wing as in the D.III. In contrast to the flat-sided D.II fuselage, that of the D.V was oval in cross-section and deeper, so that there was a smaller gap between it and the top plane. A faired head-rest was fitted behind the cockpit but it was frequently taken off improve the pilot's view rearwards. The undercarriage was of the steel tube type with a fairing over the axle, which provided extra lift. Twin synchronized guns were mounted. The Jagtlstaffeln received the D.V in May 1917. From the beginning fatal crashes - caused by wing failure - occurred and extra bracing wires were added to remedy wing flutter. In order to prevent the twisting of the single spar of the lower wing when under stress, small struts were taken from the leading edge to the lower part of the inter-plane struts. Finally, the factory fitted a metal box-like sleeve to the center section of the lower wing which enclosed the main spar and strengthened it. Even after these alterations pilots were advised not to dive too steeply - which hardly raised their morale. Nevertheless, the type was used in large numbers because the only alternatives were the suspect Fokker Triplane and the second-rate Pfalz D.III. Many Albatross D.Vs were still in operational use up to the time of the Armistice. When the D.V was re-designated after the war (in order to circumvent the terms of the Armistice), it was given the title L.24. Crew:
Pilot only
Related Links |
||
© 2002-8 All Wood Wings - All Rights Reserved
