Siemens-Schuckert Dr.I

The Siemens-Schuckert Dr.I was a German single seat triplane fighter aircraft first flown in 1917. Its development and that of a more powerful, uncompleted variant, was abandoned after a flight test programme.

Dr.I
Role Triplane fighter aircraft
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Siemens-Schuckert
First flight July 1917
Number built 1

Design and development

The Dr.I was a single seat triplane developed at the same time as the Siemens-Schuckert D.II. It used the flat sided fuselage of the earlier Siemens-Schuckert D.I biplane rather than that of the rounded D.II. Like the D.I the Dr.III was powered by a 110 hp (82 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh.I nine cylinder rotary engine.[1]

The fighter was first flown in July 1917. Later in its development programme the Dr.I crashed and was seriously damaged. Siemens-Schuckert rebuilt it, though adding 2.90 m2 (31.2 sq ft) to the wing area.[1]

Construction of a version powered by a more powerful 110 hp (82 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh.III eleven cylinder rotary engine, the Dr.II, was well advanced when it was abandoned.[1]

Specifications (before reconstruction)

Data from The Complete Book of Fighters p.529[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.60 m (28 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 18.10 m2 (194.8 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
  • Gross weight: 695 kg (1,532 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh.I 9-cylinder rotary, 82 kW (110 hp)

Performance

  • Time to altitude: 20.6 min to 4,700 m (15,420 ft) post-rebuild


References
  1. Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Godalming, UK: Salamander Books. p. 529. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
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