Germany - 1917 Fokker Dr.I

A New Series of an Old Subject

Fokker Dr.I - 1917

I was feeling a bit frustrated with my previous profiles of the Fokker Triplane. I decided to give into the urge for a new batch of of profiles. I decided to not make new images of the same examples, but have a go at all the triplanes I had not had time to do. (NO, I'm not making an all red one, it would feel like a cliche.) Here is one of the new profiles This example flew in Jasta 4. I will post some of the better examples from time to time.

The Fokker DR.I triplane was built after the successful Sopwith Triplane. While the Fokker DR.I not as fast as many contemporary biplanes, the Dreidecker could easily out-climb any opponent. Small, lightweight and highly maneuverable, it offered good upward visibility and lacked the traditional bracing wires that could be shot away during combat. This combination of features made it an outstanding plane in a dogfight.

References

1. "Fokker_Dr-I", From Wikipedia "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_Dr.I"
2. Franks, Norman. "Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I" (Aircraft of the Aces No. 62). Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2004, p. 9, p. 21. ISBN 1-84176-728-X.
3. Franks, Norman and Greg VanWyngarden. "Fokker Dr.I Aces of World War I" (Aircraft of The Aces No. 40). Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2001, p. 22, pp. 25-27, p. 55, p. 83. ISBN 1-84176-223-7.
4. Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. "German Aircraft of the First World War". London: Putnam, 1962, p. 100. ISBN 0-93385-271-1
5. Leaman, Paul. "Fokker Dr.I Triplane: A World War One Legend". Hersham, Surrey, UK: Classic Publications, 2003, pp. 30, 32, p. 34, p. 53, p. 69, p. 95-96, p. 181, p. 222. ISBN 1-90322-328-8.
6. Nowarra, Heinz J. "Fokker Dr.I In Action" (Aircraft No. 98). Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1990, p. 12, p. 47. ISBN 0-89747-229-2.
7. Van Wyngarden, Greg. "Richthofen's Flying Circus: Jagdgeschwader Nr I" (Aviation Elite Units No. 16). Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2004, p. 75. ISBN 1-84176-726-3.
8. Weyl, A.R. "Fokker: The Creative Years". London: Putnam, 1965, p. 226, p. 228-229, pp. 231-236, pp. 238-239, pp. 244-246, p. 410. ISBN 0-85177-817-8.