Albatros DIII

Albatros DIII Imperial German Army Air Service Spring 1917.

A product of the Albatros-Flugzeugwerke in Johannistal, the third model of this scout arrived at the front in January 1917, and its performance helped lead to what the British referred to as "Bloody April." The Albatros's speed, maneuverability, rate of climb and twin 7.92 mm Spandau machineguns made it a favorite of the top German pilots, including those of Jasta 11, commanded by Baron Manfred von Richthofen. The DIII did have an inherent weakness in the "V" interplane strut, which could lead to the lower wing twisting off in high-stress maneuvers, but despite this it achieved great success in 1917.