The AEG D.I, a biplane fighter used during World War I, faced setbacks during its development.
Initially, three prototypes were commissioned, but unfortunate accidents occurred with the first two, resulting in the tragic death of flying ace Walter Höhndorf on September 5, 1917.
Consequently, the project was terminated.
However, a triplane variant known as the Dr.I was constructed.
The second and third prototypes exhibited minimal variations from the initial model, primarily in terms of specific details.
The AEG Dr.I, which was derived from the D.I, was a triplane fighter utilised during World War I.
However, due to its underwhelming performance, only a single prototype was constructed, and no further production took place.
The Dr.I was essentially a Dreidecker (triplane) version of the D.I, and its design was influenced by a captured intact Sopwith Triplane.
Various proposals for fighters with similar characteristics were suggested, and AEG’s contribution to the program was introduced in October 1917.
Apart from the triple wing configuration, the aircraft shared the same fuselage, engine, and twin gun armament as its earlier counterparts.
Variants
A.E.G. D.I
May 1917
prototype single seat biplane fighters.
A.E.G. Dr.I
October 1917
1 prototype single seat triplane fighter.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Wingspan
8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Height
2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Wing area
16.14 m2 (173.7 sq ft)
Empty weight
685 kg (1,510 lb)
Gross weight
940 kg (2,072 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Daimler D.IIIa,
6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline piston engine,
120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed
205 km/h (127 mph, 111 kn)
Range
465 km (289 mi, 251 nmi)
Service ceiling
5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Rate of climb
6.67 m/s (1,313 ft/min)
Time to altitude
1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 2.2 minutes
5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 25 minutes
Wing loading
58 kg/m2 (12 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass
0.13 kW/kg (0.08 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns
2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns.
Sources AEG Aircraft of WWI-J Herris. German Aircraft of the First World War-P Gray & O Thetford. The Complete Book of Fighters-W Green & W Swanborough.
