HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
The
Albatros D series of fighters dominated the German front. The progression of the
type from the DI through the DVa spanned 1916 though the end of the war. In spite
of what is often said, the albatros was a very capable fighter. The Albatros was
the most prevalent German fighter in that time. In fact, as of April 30, 1918,
58 percent of the German fighters were either DIII, DV, or DVa's The DVa differed
from the DV primarily in that the top wing structure was basically the same as
the DIII and it had reinforced IP struts. The DV suffered from wing failure which
spurred Albatros to introduce the DVa. Every German Ace scored the majority of
his victories in an Albatros, including Manfred von Richtofen. The major difference
of the DVa from the DIII was that the DVa fuselage was oval in cross section.
The DIII had flat sides but both were thin plywood covered. The ply was 2 to 2.5
mm thick.