Fokker D.III Country: Germany Type: Fighter Manufacturer: Fokker Service: 1916 - 1917 First Flight: 1916 Production: 210

The Fokker D.III (Fokker designation M.19) was a German single-seat fighter aircraft of World War I. The M.19 began as an effort to improve the performance of the Fokker D.II (Fokker designation M.17). The M.19 featured the Oberursel U.III 14-cylinder, two-row rotary engine, combined with the two-bay wing cellule of the Fokker D.I. The U.III engine, first used in the Fokker E.IV, required a revised fore-and-aft mount and a strengthened fuselage. The prototype M.19 arrived at Adlershof for testing on 20 July 1916. Idflieg issued a production order for 50 aircraft at that time, followed by orders for an additional 60 aircraft in August and 100 in November. The new aircraft was designated D.III by Idflieg.

The first seven production aircraft were delivered on 1 September 1916. While the D.III was fairly fast, it lacked maneuverability, and was plagued by its U.III engine, which wore out quickly and was difficult to manufacture. Cooling of the rear row of cylinders also proved problematic. The D.III was not adopted as standard equipment for the jagstaffeln, and the Albatros replaced the D.III and other earlier fighters in the squadrons as sufficient examples became available.

Fokker built 210 D.III aircraft at its Schwerin factory before production ceased in the spring of 1917. Late production aircraft replaced the wing-warping system with horn-balanced ailerons on the upper wing. Though unsuitable for frontline duties, the D.III continued to serve in home defense units until late 1917. In October 1917, Germany supplied 10 D.IIIs to the Netherlands. These aircraft remained in service with the Luchtvaartafdeling until 1921.

General characteristics