Fokker Dr.I

The one WWI plane everyone knows is the Fokker Dr.I, though it was built in limited numbers and had a short career. The Triplane's fame was boosted by its famous pilots, most from Richtofen Geschwader, such as Manfred and Lothar von Richtofen and Werner Voss. After their introduction in August 1917, several triplanes were found to have broken up in mid-air and the type was grounded near the end of October. Corrections were made and the type resumed flights on November 10. The grounding slowed production though, and though there were projected to be 173 Dr.Is delivered by December, it was probably closer to thirty-three.

The triplane was quite maneuverable, but -- underpowered by the standards of the time -- it was also slow and lacked performance at altitude, so Idflieg limited production to only 320 machines and they hit their peak in April 1918 with 171 Triplanes at the front. Due to von Richtofen's legend, the Dr.I will always remain iconic. It was flown by most of the famous German aces of the time, including Udet, von Tutscheck, Goering, and Voss.

The decision to use a rotary engine was not one of optimal performance; it was practicality, because inline engines were in short supply at the time if its design. After the superior Fokker D.VII made its appearance in summer of 1918, the Dr.Is were relegated to home-defense duties.

Card Links

 * Jagdgeschwader 1 - M. von Richtofen
 * Jagdgeschwader 1 - M. von Richtofen
 * Jasta 2 - Wolf
 * Jasta 7 - Jacobs
 * Jasta 7 - Jacobs
 * Jasta 7 - Jacobs
 * Jasta 7 - Raben
 * Jasta 11 - Mohnicke
 * Jasta 11 - L. von Ricthofen
 * Jasta 11 - W. von Richtofen
 * Jasta 11 - Sieradzki
 * Jasta 11 - Weiss
 * Jasta 13 - Berthold
 * Jasta 13 - Schwartz
 * Jasta 18 - Raben
 * Jasta 18 - Raben
 * Black WPAF
 * Gold Triplane
 * White Triplane
 * Pink Triplane

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF104A von Richtofen; WGS104B Kirschstein; WGS104C Lothar von Richtofen
 * Shapeways: Decapod, Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Plastic Kit: Valom 14407
 * Metal kit: ,
 * Wings of War Deluxe Set: M. von Richtofen
 * Wings of War: WW07J von Richtofen; WW07K Kempf; WW07L Rahn

1:200 Scale

 * Shapeways: Kampfflieger

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod; Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Metal Kit: CinC MS-11
 * Metal Cast:

1:300 Scale

 * Metal Kit: Heroics & Ros GWA303

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod

1:600 Scale

 * Metal kit: