Pfalz D.IIIa

The Pfalz D.IIIa was an improved Pfalz D.III with the 180hp Mercedes D.IIIa engine. It had a larger tailplane and rounder lower wingtips for increased efficiency. Perhaps most importantly, the twin guns were moved to the fuselage deck where they could be more easily aimed and cleared in case of a jam, unlike the D.III in which the guns were buried in the fuselage.

Though overshadowed by the late Albatros and Fokker fighters, about 25% of the fighter strength at the front lines in April 1918 was Pfalz D.IIIa's (by then the D.III had dwindled to only a handful). By that date the D.IIIa was starting to phase out of production, and only a few were built in May, including a batch intended for Turkey with modified radiators.

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Full-color miniatures:
 * Ares Wings of Glory: WGF123A Berthold, WGF123B Holtzem
 * Shapeways via Etsy: Reduced Aircraft Factory: Bethge, Ewers, Kaus, Muller
 * Wings of War: WW23F Holtzem
 * Shapeways: Arctic Skunk, Columbia Aerodrome, Decapod, Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Resin Model:

1:200 Scale

 * Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Kampfflieger