Albatros D.III(Oef)

Oeffag built Albatros D.IIIs for Austria-Hungary in three series (53, 153, and 253), including improvements to the airframe and wing and the provision for more powerful Daimler engines. 656 Austro-Hungarian D.IIIs were ordered, and they were remained in production until the end of the war.

The Series 53.2 began with the basic German D.III design, but the wing and airframe were strengthened. This corrected one of the D.IIIs greatest weaknesses: failure and twisting of the lower wings, especially at their roots. The 185hp engine also gave the D.III more speed than its German counterpart. As production progressed, minor problems that were found were corrected, and the planes only got better in each successive series.

The Series 153 discarded the spinner, which tests showed did little to improve aerodynamics. The twin guns were buried in the fuselage with only the butts exposed, making it difficult to clear jams. The 153 was a capable, robust fighter that held its own and scored more victories than any other Austro-Hungarian fighter.

As solid as the Series 153 planes were, the Series 253 D.IIIs were an improvement. Pilots praised it as the best fighter available, with "peerless" flight characteristics, complaining only that there were too few of them. The guns were raised to a higher position, but reviews on the change were mixed, and Series 253 planes were built with both configurations.

Card Links

 * Brumowski
 * Polish AF
 * Flik 3J - Peter
 * Flik 3J
 * Flik 41J - Kaszala
 * Flik 41J - Linke-Crawford

Miniatures and Models
A German Albatros D.III will make a good substitute.

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF118B Gruber (Series 53.2)
 * Shapeways: Columbia Aerodrome (Series 253, cowled), Columbia Aerodrome (Series 253), wow (Series 153)

1:200 Scale

 * Shapeways: wow (Series 153)