The Albatros D.V, manufactured by Albatros Flugzeugwerke, is a fighter aircraft that belongs to the Albatros D.I family.
Serving as the ultimate iteration of this family, it holds the distinction of being the final Albatros fighter to be utilized by the Luftstreitkräfte in active duty throughout the duration of the First World War.
During the early months of 1917, the D.V aircraft emerged as a development of the D.III.
While it retained several similarities with its predecessor, the most notable alteration was the introduction of a new elliptical cross-section fuselage.
Despite being introduced into service in May 1917, the initial operations of the D.V were marred by issues related to structural failures in the lower wing.
Consequently, pilots expressed their inclination towards the older D.III due to its more reliable performance.
Albatros responded to these concerns by producing an enhanced version called the D.Va, which incorporated modifications aimed at bolstering its structural strength.
However, certain lingering structural concerns persisted even in this improved variant.
Despite being widely recognised for its limitations and outdated design, around 900 D.V and 1,612 D.Va aircraft were manufactured at the Johannisthal and Schneidemühl factories before production ceased in April 1918.
The D.Va model remained in use by the German military until the Armistice of November 11, 1918.
Additionally, the Polish Air Force and the Ottoman Air Force utilised this aircraft type.
Two original D.Va planes have been preserved, and there are also several airworthy reproductions that have been constructed.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
7.33 m (24 ft 1 in)
Wingspan
9.05 m (29 ft 8 in)
Height
2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Wing area
21.2 m2 (228 sq ft)
Empty weight
687 kg (1,515 lb)
Gross weight
937 kg (2,066 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Mercedes D.IIIaü, piston engine,
150 kW (200 hp)
Propellers
2 bladed wooden propeller
Performance
Maximum speed
186 km/h (116 mph, 100 kn)
Endurance
350 km
Service ceiling
5,700 m (18,700 ft)
Rate of climb
4.17 m/s (821 ft/min)
Time to altitude
1,000 m (3,281 ft) in 4 minutes
Armament
Guns
2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns.
Sources German & Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturers 1908–1918-T C Treadwell. German Aircraft of the First World War-Peter Gray & Owen Thetford. Flugzeug Publications, Die Deutsche Luftwaffe 1914 – Heute. The World’s Great Bombers: 1914 to the Present Day-C Chant. Windsock Worldwide Vol.25, No.5 – September October 2009. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.1: Early Two-Seaters-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.2: Late Two-Seaters-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.3: Bombers, Seaplanes J Types-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.4: Fighters-Jack Herris.
