Pfalz D.IIIa
| Pfalz D.IIIa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Pfalz |
| Designer | Rudolf Gehringer [1] |
| Introduction | Nov 1917 [1] |
| Primary users |  Germany 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 | 1,500 m (5,000 ft) in 7:00[4] 3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 17:30[4] |
| Ceiling | 5,200 m (17,000 ft)[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
| Availability | Maneuver | Damage | Dmg Points | Max Alt. | Climb | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct/Nov17-end | J | A | 16 | 13 | 3 | 83 |
Plane and Crew Cards
Jasta 4
Guntruck
Jasta 7
Degelow
Guntruck
Jasta 10
Heldmann
Guntruck
Jasta 16B
Holtzem
Guntruck
Jasta 30
Kaus
Guntruck
Jasta 30
von der Marwitz
Guntruck
Jasta 34B
Stark
Guntruck
Jasta 37
Guntruck
Jasta 64B
Schuschke
Guntruck
Blue Max/Canvas Eagles
Miniatures and Models
1:144 Scale
- Shapeways: Arctic Skunk, Columbia Aerodrome, Decapod, Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
- Wings of War: WW23F Holtzem
1:200 Scale
- Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory
1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale
- Shapeways: Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory
1:350 Scale
- Shapeways: Kampfflieger
Resources
Orthographic Drawings
References
- Notes
- Citations
- 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.