Skill Level: Beginner

More than 65 parts

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Pfalz E.I was a shoulder-wing monoplane, a license-built Morane-Saulnier type "H", slightly modified and had a rotary engine. The major modifications were the realignment of the forward landing gear struts toward the leading edge of the wing. The second major change was to remove the vertical stabilizer. In the beginning, the type was used upon unarmed scouting duties, but with the success of the Fokker synchronizing gear in 1915, a similar installation was tried on this aircraft. It then went into production as the Pfalz E.I., totaling sixty units. The airplane was not well liked. The airplanes had a poor safety record. So poor, in fact, that production stopped and Pfalz was required to produce license built LFG Roland biplanes. However, not all pilots held it in such poor esteem, Kissenberth flew it enthusiastically. He was an ace with 20 victories, winning the Pour La Merite. Pfalz E.Is and E.IIs, which were the main production aircraft, were allocated to the Bavarian Fl. AN. units to protect and escort the slower two-seater observation aircraft. Due to the similarity in appearance to the Fokker monoplanes, the Pfalz machines automatically became identified as "Fokkers" to their Allied opponents. Indeed, it was only through the shape of their tail structures that the types could be positively identified. They differed little in size and weight. However, the Fokkers were superior in climb and maneuverability. The rudder on the Fokker is significantly larger than the Pfalz and this may have contributed to some of the Fokker's superior performance. Fokker was accused of copying the Morane "H" to produce his EI monoplane but considering the Pfalz E I was a copy and it had inferior performance to the Fokker, it is unlikely that Fokker copied the Morane. An unusual feature in the finish of the Pfalz monoplanes was the painting of the national insignia on all elevator surfaces in addition to the usual locations. At the time German newspapers listed death notices framed in black borders. The Black and White bordered paint scheme of the Pfalz monoplanes being similar to the black borders in the death notices was the source of some dark humor among German pilots. They referred to Pfalz's as flying death notices.