AEG DJ.I

During the Armistice period, the AEG DJ.I, a ground attack aircraft from the late World War I, underwent thorough evaluation.

This streamlined biplane, designed for a single pilot, began its assessment in September 1918.

It was armed with two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns and carried a light bomb load.

Notably, the aircraft featured aluminium fuselage coverings, I-type interplane struts that eliminated the need for flying or landing wires, and protective armour.

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

6.69 m (21 ft 11 in)

Wingspan

10 m (32 ft 10 in)

Height

3 m (9 ft 10 in)

Empty weight

1,185 kg (2,612 lb)

Gross weight

1,370 kg (3,020 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Benz Bz.IIIb,

V-8 water cooled piston engine,

145 kW (194 hp)

Performance

 Maximum speed

180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)

Rate of climb

4.167 m/s (820.3 ft/min)

Time to altitude

1,000m (3,281ft) in 4min

Armament

Guns

2 × forward firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns

Bombs

Light bomb load.

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.