Junkers D.I

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Junkers D.I
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Junkers
Designer Hugo Junkers
First flight March[1]-April[2] 1918 [note 1]
Introduction Oct 1918?
Primary user Germany
Number built 40[4]-41 [5][1][2]
Wingspan 8.84 m (29 ft 0 in)[3] -
8.89 m (29 ft 2 in) [6] to 9 m (29 ft 6 in)[7][8][3]
Engine 185 BMW IIIa or
160hp Mercedes D.III
Armament 2×fixed sync. LMG08/15
Crew 1
Max Speed 176 km/h (109 mph)[9] to
185 km/h (115 mph)[6][7] to
192 km/h (119 mph)[3] to
220 km/h (137 mph)[10] to
233 km/h (145 mph)[8][note 2]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 2:18[11]-3:00[9]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 5:48[9][6]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 9:30[9]-9:48[6]
Ceiling 6,000 m (19,680 ft)[6][7][8] to 6,700 m (22,000 ft)[10]
Endurance 1:30 [10][6][7]

The revolutionary all-metal Junkers D.I was derived from two Junkers prototypes: the J.7 and the J.9. Test pilots described it as "at least as maneuverable as the Albatros D.III or D.V", but front-line pilots were skeptical of a low-wing monoplane. This may by attributed to built-in prejudices, but it may also be a reflection of the D.I's limited downward visibility. In the latter half of 1918 the Germans were usually outnumbered and frequently resorted to quick diving attacks on Entente formations with a quick zoom away without becoming entangled in a dogfight. Limited downward visibility would be a limitation to such tactics -- a limitation not suffered by the contemporary high-wing Fokker D.VIII.

After the initial batch was built, vibration problems forced Junkers to shorten the fuselage, and D.Is trickled their way to the front in both configurations. Though forty were ordered from the parent company, twenty seven were completed by the time production stopped in early 1919. Junkers-Fokker completed another thirteen (of an order of twenty).

It is still a point of debate on how many -- if any -- of the D.Is saw combat service during WWI, but they did serve in Poland during the conflicts with the Bolsheviks, where their weather-proof and robust construction was greatly appreciated.[4]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Junkers D.I.

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Unofficial Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
18Q3-18Q4 A A 17 13 2

Plane and Crew Cards

Card Links

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:200 Scale

1:285 Scale

1:300 Scale

Resources

Isometric Top Views

  • short fuselage

    short fuselage

  • long fuselage

    long fuselage

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Its predecessor, the J7, flew in September 1917.[3]
  2. ↑ Higher speeds with experimental engines such as the BMW IIIa or 195 Benz Bz.IIIbo[11]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Angelucci, p.60.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cowin, p.8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Argus Vol. 3, p.68.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Grosz'92, p.12.
  5. ↑ Munson, p.162.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Lamberton, pp.218-219.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Angelucci, p.50.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cowin, p.12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Grosz'92, p.35.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Munson, p.86.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gray, p.443.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • Argus Books, Airplane Archive: Aircraft of World War One, Volume 3. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-998-3
  • Hugh Cowin, Profile Publications 187: The Junkers Monoplanes. Great Britain, Profile Publications, 1967.
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • P.M. Grosz, Windsock Datafile 33: Junkers D.I. Great Britain, Albatros Publications Ltd., 1992. ISBN 0-948414-41-3
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • Kenneth Munson, Fighters 1914-19, Attack and Training Aircraft. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1976. ISBN 0713707607
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