Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Germany - Late War Monoplanes

Late War Glimpses of Shape Of Things to Come

The development of the monoplane as a military aircraft was one of the important steps in the evolution of aviation technology. Many early aircraft were monoplanes. However despite the success of some designs most were rejected. This was due to lack of understanding by military procurement departments, monoplanes were deemed to be too risky making biplanes the defacto standard for aircraft design. Ironically many of the same air services pushed for even more wings on aircraft. Research into the feasibility of triplanes and quadruplanes proved to be an expensive distraction.

My post today focuses on late war development in Germany. I'll write more on the research in other countries soon.

German Naval Monoplane

Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 - 1918
Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 - 1918

The Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 was a German monoplane fighter floatplane manufactured by Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeug-Werke, which served in 1918 in the closing months of World War I. The Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 had its first flight on March 27, 1918. The fighter was deployed from bases on the North Sea coast.

German Ground-attack Monoplaine

Junkers Cl.I - 1918
Junkers Cl.I - 1918

The Junkers CL.I was a ground-attack monoplaine aircraft developed in Germany during World War I. Its construction was undertaken by Junkers under the designation J 8. as proof of Hugo Junkers' belief in the monoplane, after his firm had been required by the Idflieg to submit a biplane (the J 4) as its entry in a competition to select a ground-attack aircraft.

German Fighter Monoplaine

Fokker E.V - D.VIII - 1918
Fokker E.V - D.VIII - 1918

Winner of the April 1918 fighter competition, the Fokker D.VIII monoplane was delayed by production problems. Only thirty six of them entered service during the last weeks of the war. Equipped with an underpowered engine, the D.VIII was nevertheless an excellent fighter eagerly received by the German air service. Dubbed the “Flying Razor” by Allied pilots, it had the distinction of scoring the last aerial victory of the war.

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