Siemens-Schuckert D.III

infobox Aircraft
name = Siemens-Schuckert D.III
type = Fighter
manufacturer = Siemens-Schukert Werke



caption =
designer =
first flight = October 1917
introduced = April 1918
retired =
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primary user = "Luftstreitkräfte"
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produced =
number built =
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The Siemens-Schuckert D.III was a German single-seat fighter built by Siemens-Schuckert Werke.

Design and development

The D.III was a development of the earlier Siemens-Schuckert D.IIc prototype. Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 530.] The D.III was an equal-span sesquiplane powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh.III bi-rotary engine. "Idflieg" placed an order for 20 aircraft in December 1917, followed by a second order of 30 aircraft in February 1918. Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 213.]

Operational history

Approximately 41 D.IIIs were delivered to frontline units between April and May 1918. Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 213.] Most aircraft were supplied to "Jagdgeschwader" II, VanWyngarden 2005, p. 43.] whose pilots were enthusiastic about the new aircraft's handling and rate of climb. After only seven to 10 hours of service, however, the Sh.III engines started showing serious problems with overheating and piston seizure. Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 214.] The problem was later traced to the "Voltol" mineral oil that was used to replace the now-scarce castor oil. VanWyngarden 2005, p. 43.] Furthermore, the close-fitting engine cowling provided inadequate cooling to the engine. Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 215.]

In late May 1918, "Jagdgeschwader" II replaced its D.IIIs with the older Fokker Dr.I. VanWyngarden 2005, p. 44.] The remaining D.III aircraft were returned to the Siemens-Schuckert factory, where they were retrofitted with new Sh.IIIa engines, an enlarged rudder, and cutaway cowlings that provided improved airflow. Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 530.] A further 30 new production D.IIIs incorporated these modifications. Total production amounted to 80 aircraft. Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 530.]

In July 1918, the D.III returned to active service as an interceptor with home defense squadrons. Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 214.] By this time, the D.III had been replaced in production by the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV.

Operators

;flag|German Empire
*"Luftstreitkräfte"

pecifications

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

crew=One
capacity=
length main= 18 ft 8½ in
length alt= 6.70 m
span main= 27 ft 7¾ in
span alt= 8.43 m
height main= 9 ft 2¼ in
height alt= 2.80 m
area main= 203.44 ft²
area alt= 18.90 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,177 lb
empty weight alt= 534 kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 1,598 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 725 kg
more general=

engine (prop)=Siemens-Halske Sh.III
type of prop=bi-rotary
number of props=1
power main= 160 hp
power alt= 119 kW
power original=
max speed main= 112 mph
max speed alt= 180 km/h
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main=
range alt=
ceiling main= 26,245 ft
ceiling alt= 8000 m
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=

armament=
*2× 7.92 mm (0.31 in) LMG 08/15 machine-guns
avionics=

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. "German Aircraft of the First World War". London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.
* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "The Complete Book of Fighters." London: Salamander Books, 1994. ISBN 0-83173-939-8.
* VanWyngarden, Greg. "Jagdgeschwader Nr II Geschwader 'Berthold' (Aviation Elite Units No. 19)." Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-84176-727-1.

External links

ee also

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