Pfalz D.IIIa

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Pfalz D.IIIa
Pfalzdiiia.jpg
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Pfalz
Designer Rudolf Gehringer [1]
Introduction Nov 1917 [1]
Primary users Cross-Pattee-alternate3.svg Germany
Roundel otto.JPG Ottoman Empire
Number built 750 [2]
Developed from Pfalz D.III
Wingspan 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in)
Engine 160hp Mercedes D.III inline or
180hp Mercedes D.IIIa inline
Armament 2×sync. fixed LMG08/15
Ammo 1000 rounds[3]
Crew 1
Max Speed 164 km/h (102 mph)[2]-180 km/h (112 mph)[4]
Climb 5,000 ft (1,500 m) in 7:00[4]
10,000 ft (3,000 m) in 17:30[4]
Ceiling 17,000 ft (5,200 m)[4]
Endurance 2:00 [2]

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. [5] 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. [1]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Pfalz D.III.

Timeline [note 1]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb Points
Oct/Nov17-end J A 16 13 3 83

Plane and Crew Cards

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:200 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:350 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

  • PfaD3a-top.png

References

Notes
  1. ↑ German numbers are from bi-monthly Frontbestand records (Effective Frontline Strength).[6]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grosz'90, p.2.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Grosz'90, p.33.
  3. ↑ Kelly, p.231.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lamberton, pp.220-221.
  5. ↑ Gray, p.187.
  6. ↑ Grosz'85, p.60 and Grosz'86, p.66.
Bibliography
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Peter M. Grosz, "Archiv -- Frontbestand". WW1 Aero, № 107, Dec 1985 and № 108, Feb 1986. Poughkeepsie, NY: World War I Aeroplanes, Inc.
  • P.M. Grosz and R.L. Rimmel, ed., Windsock Datafile 21: Pfalz D.IIIa. Great Britain: Albatros Productions, Ltd, 1990. ISBN 0-948414-25-1
  • Kevin Kelly, "Belts and Drums: A Survey of First World War Aircraft Ammunition Totals". Over the Front, Vol. 5, No. 3, Autumn 1990. Walsworth Publishing Co, Inc. and The League of World War I Aviation Historians.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
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