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Albatros D.I

introduction,

The Albatros D.I was designed in 1916 in response to the introduction of the Allies' DH.2 and Nie.11 fighters, which had rendered the Fokker E.III obsolete. The heavy but powerful Albatros was to revolutionise air combat, and set in motion the "arms race" of fighter development that continues to this day.

The D.I introduced the major features of the Albatros fighter line that would remain standard until the end of the war: A powerful inline liquid-cooled engine, two MG 08 machine guns and a streamlined momocoque plywood fuselage which was lighter yet stronger than its competitors.

Only 50 D.Is were produced before the improved D.II was introduced.

the kit

Roden followed up their D.III with this kit of the D.I, released in January of 2009. Many of the kit parts are identical with the older kit; the principal differences being the wings and elephant ear radiators for the fuselage sides.

Here is Roden's Albatros D.I finished in fine style by Borys Szczypka.