AlbatrosD2

Albatros D-II

The Albatros D-I and II established new standards in combat aircraft, emphasizing raw power and heavier armament in its twin machine guns.

The Albatros D-II:

Historical Notes:

With the eclipse of the Fokker Eindeckers, prompted by the fielding of more effective aircraft by the Allies, the German air service was faced with the need for a markedly improved machine. Fokker's early "D" series planes were far too stable and heavy, prompting the "Luftstreitkrafte" command to seek out different designs. The plane that caught their attention was the creation of designers Thelen and Schubert of the Albatros Werke. The Albatros D-I was radically different in many ways, incorporating the latest design concepts of the wooden semi- monocoque fuselage layout, and when coupled to the new Mercedes 160 hp water-cooled in line engine, had the sufficient lift to carry two machine guns aloft. The latter was the most important feature in the eyes of the air service, and by November of 1916 the Albatros firm had delivered over 50 D-Is to the front. But the D-I had a significant shortcoming in the design of the upper wing. Set too high above the fuselage, the wing impaired the pilot's visibility considerably, and so a new design came forth.

This became the Albatros D-II, which set the course for a series of single seat scouts which were to become one of the most prominent machines in the air war. Albatros began to deliver the new D-IIs to the front by the end of 1916, and by early 1917 they began to dominate the skies over France and Belgium. British reconnaissance machines were the principle victims, the twin- machine gun arrangement giving the Albatros an exponential killing edge over its opponents. Although markedly heavier than planes like the DH-2, the D-2 had a snap turn which equaled the British pusher's, while its level speed and climb rate were considerably greater. The DH-2 only maintained an edge in the steady turn. In fact, it was the inability or failure of Lanoe Hawker to use the steady turn which led to his fatal encounter with Manfred von Richthofen on Nov. 23, 1916. Both Hawker and Richthofen went into a snap turn battle in which the DH-2 was not superior. As Hawker lost altitude, Richthofen, with his more powerful machine, was able to stay just above him until the British pilot was forced to make a run for his lines. It was then that Richthofen was able to shoot him down.

The construction of the Albatros D-II revolved around the radically new semi-monocoque fuselage. This involved wrapping plywood around fuselage formers, and then covering this with doped fabric. The fuselage sides were actually flattened out, while the engine was almost completely enclosed in the nose. Access panels on the side were provided to allow for quick engine maintenance, while the radiators were positioned in the top wing just ahead of the pilot. This latter item proved to soon be a serious problem, as any damage to the radiators would cause scalding fluid to stream back into the pilot's face, usually with fatal results. This was alleviated on later models by installing the radiator in an offset position in the upper wing. The wings followed the standard pattern of wooden frame with fabric covering, although the wings were designed to allow for an adjustment to the stagger.

The Mercedes DIII 6 cylinder engine became the workhorse of the German air service, demonstrating a toughness necessitated by critical shortages of specialized items. For example, it was not uncommon, even as early as 1916, to find German ground crews "stretching" their mineral oil lubricants by diluting it with vegetable lubricants. The latter, especially castor oil, was crucial to the usage of rotary engines, but caused important engine parts to gum up and foul quickly. Despite such abuse, the Mercedes engines continued to operate with a remarkable level of efficiency.

The Albatros D-II, along with its sister the D-III, became the core of the German air service during early and mid 1917, and many German aces flew the type. For Oswald Boelcke, the Albatros D-I and II was the very machine he sought for his newly developed "Jasta" tactics. While leading a group of Jasta 2 Albatroses in an attack on DH-2s of No. 24 Squadron, Boelcke's upper wing was struck by that of another machine flown by Erwin Boehme. Boelcke's wing separated from his plane, sending him to his death. Boelcke's funeral was attended by the governing and royal elite of Germany. But even more importantly, a card and wreathe were sent by British pilots who were prisoners of war, inscribed: "To a much admired and honorable enemy."

In many ways the Albatros D-II set the future trend of combat aviation: faster, heavier, and more heavily armed aircraft as the rule, with nimble maneuverability only a marginal consideration. Its better speed allowed it to engage and disengage almost at will, while slower Allied scouts had to fight their way out of a battle. Essentially, the Albatros D-II gave German pilots the initiative for a brief moment, a concept which was only beginning to be understood at that time. For these reasons the Albatros machine was truly the beginning of a revolution.

Basic performance statistics: Albatros D.II

Engine: 160hp Mercedes DIII 6 cylinder in-line water cooled (early D-Is had a 150hp Benz)

Weight: empty 1,401 lbs; loaded 1,954 lbs

Maximum speed: 109.4 mph

Climb rate: to 3,280 feet.... 5 min

Service ceiling: 17,000 feet

Flight endurance: 1.5 hours

Basic Specifications (vary widely from model to model):

Manufacturer: Albatros Flugzug Werke

Dimensions: Span 27 ft, 10.75 in; Length 24 ft, 3 in; Height: 8 ft, 6.75 in

Areas: Wings 264 sq ft

Fuel: 26 gallons

Armament: twin Maxim machineguns synchronized to fire through the airscrew.

Typical ammo load: 1000 rounds

Primary sources: "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "British Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "German Aircraft of the First World War," Gray and Thetford; "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War" Lamberton et al; "Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century," Hogg and Weeks.

Fighting and winning in the Abatros D.II:

The Albatros D-II is a great machine... for its time frame. It is actually somewhat more nimble than later Albatros machines, with a slightly better snap turn rate. It also had a superior climb to many contemporary scouts, thereby giving it the initiative of first engagement. It will out climb the DH-2, and only the Bristol Scout can compete in this area. When flying opponents of the correct era, the Albatros D-II is a superior aircraft.

However, it is not a premier dogfighter. Although its snap turn rate was equal to the DH-2's, it was greatly deficient in the steady turn. Therefore, the preferred method of attack is the "dive and zoom" tactic. When first used in simulation, some pilots bemoaned the loss of maneuverability. However, using correct tactics, the D-II quickly demonstrated itself as a choice weapon, and the DH-2 quickly fell out of favor (and usage!). Against late-war planes the D-II can still engage with some success, but planes like the Spad XIII and SE5a outclass it, especially in speed.

The twin guns of the Albatros give its pilot a key element of superiority... the ability to destroy quickly. Not only does it put more firepower on the target, it also means that the pilot reduces his own exposure to enemy attack, since he does not have to remain as focused on an enemy target, such as a reconnaissance plane. This is a crucial point to retain, even when operating late-war aircraft.

Another aspect about the Albatros D-II was that of teamwork. Prior to using this machine, simulation pilots in campaign scenarios became used to "lone wolf" tactics. The coming of the twin-gunned Albatros changed this, and pilots found themselves forced to adopt teamwork in their tactics in order to survive and win.

When first fielded, the Albatros D-II was the master of the skies. However, it soon fell out of favor as more powerful Allied aircraft entered the fray. Nevertheless, it was this machine which established the Albatros firm's name and gave them special access to the seats of governmental power in Berlin.




	Albatros D-II


		The Albatros D-I and II established new standards in combat aircraft, emphasizing raw power and heavier armament in its twin machine guns.

The Albatros D-II: Historical Notes: With the eclipse of the Fokker Eindeckers, prompted by the fielding of more effective aircraft by the Allies, the German air service was faced with the need for a markedly improved machine. Fokker's early "D" series planes were far too stable and heavy, prompting the "Luftstreitkrafte" command to seek out different designs. The plane that caught their attention was the creation of designers Thelen and Schubert of the Albatros Werke. The Albatros D-I was radically different in many ways, incorporating the latest design concepts of the wooden semi- monocoque fuselage layout, and when coupled to the new Mercedes 160 hp water-cooled in line engine, had the sufficient lift to carry two machine guns aloft. The latter was the most important feature in the eyes of the air service, and by November of 1916 the Albatros firm had delivered over 50 D-Is to the front. But the D-I had a significant shortcoming in the design of the upper wing. Set too high above the fuselage, the wing impaired the pilot's visibility considerably, and so a new design came forth. This became the Albatros D-II, which set the course for a series of single seat scouts which were to become one of the most prominent machines in the air war. Albatros began to deliver the new D-IIs to the front by the end of 1916, and by early 1917 they began to dominate the skies over France and Belgium. British reconnaissance machines were the principle victims, the twin- machine gun arrangement giving the Albatros an exponential killing edge over its opponents. Although markedly heavier than planes like the DH-2, the D-2 had a snap turn which equaled the British pusher's, while its level speed and climb rate were considerably greater. The DH-2 only maintained an edge in the steady turn. In fact, it was the inability or failure of Lanoe Hawker to use the steady turn which led to his fatal encounter with Manfred von Richthofen on Nov. 23, 1916. Both Hawker and Richthofen went into a snap turn battle in which the DH-2 was not superior. As Hawker lost altitude, Richthofen, with his more powerful machine, was able to stay just above him until the British pilot was forced to make a run for his lines. It was then that Richthofen was able to shoot him down. The construction of the Albatros D-II revolved around the radically new semi-monocoque fuselage. This involved wrapping plywood around fuselage formers, and then covering this with doped fabric. The fuselage sides were actually flattened out, while the engine was almost completely enclosed in the nose. Access panels on the side were provided to allow for quick engine maintenance, while the radiators were positioned in the top wing just ahead of the pilot. This latter item proved to soon be a serious problem, as any damage to the radiators would cause scalding fluid to stream back into the pilot's face, usually with fatal results. This was alleviated on later models by installing the radiator in an offset position in the upper wing. The wings followed the standard pattern of wooden frame with fabric covering, although the wings were designed to allow for an adjustment to the stagger. The Mercedes DIII 6 cylinder engine became the workhorse of the German air service, demonstrating a toughness necessitated by critical shortages of specialized items. For example, it was not uncommon, even as early as 1916, to find German ground crews "stretching" their mineral oil lubricants by diluting it with vegetable lubricants. The latter, especially castor oil, was crucial to the usage of rotary engines, but caused important engine parts to gum up and foul quickly. Despite such abuse, the Mercedes engines continued to operate with a remarkable level of efficiency. The Albatros D-II, along with its sister the D-III, became the core of the German air service during early and mid 1917, and many German aces flew the type. For Oswald Boelcke, the Albatros D-I and II was the very machine he sought for his newly developed "Jasta" tactics. While leading a group of Jasta 2 Albatroses in an attack on DH-2s of No. 24 Squadron, Boelcke's upper wing was struck by that of another machine flown by Erwin Boehme. Boelcke's wing separated from his plane, sending him to his death. Boelcke's funeral was attended by the governing and royal elite of Germany. But even more importantly, a card and wreathe were sent by British pilots who were prisoners of war, inscribed: "To a much admired and honorable enemy." In many ways the Albatros D-II set the future trend of combat aviation: faster, heavier, and more heavily armed aircraft as the rule, with nimble maneuverability only a marginal consideration. Its better speed allowed it to engage and disengage almost at will, while slower Allied scouts had to fight their way out of a battle. Essentially, the Albatros D-II gave German pilots the initiative for a brief moment, a concept which was only beginning to be understood at that time. For these reasons the Albatros machine was truly the beginning of a revolution. Basic performance statistics: Albatros D.II Engine: 160hp Mercedes DIII 6 cylinder in-line water cooled (early D-Is had a 150hp Benz) Weight: empty 1,401 lbs; loaded 1,954 lbs Maximum speed: 109.4 mph Climb rate: to 3,280 feet.... 5 min Service ceiling: 17,000 feet Flight endurance: 1.5 hours Basic Specifications (vary widely from model to model): Manufacturer: Albatros Flugzug Werke Dimensions: Span 27 ft, 10.75 in; Length 24 ft, 3 in; Height: 8 ft, 6.75 in Areas: Wings 264 sq ft Fuel: 26 gallons Armament: twin Maxim machineguns synchronized to fire through the airscrew. Typical ammo load: 1000 rounds Primary sources: "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "British Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "German Aircraft of the First World War," Gray and Thetford; "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War" Lamberton et al; "Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century," Hogg and Weeks. Fighting and winning in the Abatros D.II: The Albatros D-II is a great machine... for its time frame. It is actually somewhat more nimble than later Albatros machines, with a slightly better snap turn rate. It also had a superior climb to many contemporary scouts, thereby giving it the initiative of first engagement. It will out climb the DH-2, and only the Bristol Scout can compete in this area. When flying opponents of the correct era, the Albatros D-II is a superior aircraft. However, it is not a premier dogfighter. Although its snap turn rate was equal to the DH-2's, it was greatly deficient in the steady turn. Therefore, the preferred method of attack is the "dive and zoom" tactic. When first used in simulation, some pilots bemoaned the loss of maneuverability. However, using correct tactics, the D-II quickly demonstrated itself as a choice weapon, and the DH-2 quickly fell out of favor (and usage!). Against late-war planes the D-II can still engage with some success, but planes like the Spad XIII and SE5a outclass it, especially in speed. The twin guns of the Albatros give its pilot a key element of superiority... the ability to destroy quickly. Not only does it put more firepower on the target, it also means that the pilot reduces his own exposure to enemy attack, since he does not have to remain as focused on an enemy target, such as a reconnaissance plane. This is a crucial point to retain, even when operating late-war aircraft. Another aspect about the Albatros D-II was that of teamwork. Prior to using this machine, simulation pilots in campaign scenarios became used to "lone wolf" tactics. The coming of the twin-gunned Albatros changed this, and pilots found themselves forced to adopt teamwork in their tactics in order to survive and win. When first fielded, the Albatros D-II was the master of the skies. However, it soon fell out of favor as more powerful Allied aircraft entered the fray. Nevertheless, it was this machine which established the Albatros firm's name and gave them special access to the seats of governmental power in Berlin.