Fokker
D.VII
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Paterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
   
Photo: Robert Deering 4/18/2015
 National Museum of Naval Aviation
NAS Pensacola (NPA)
 Pensacola, Florida
Photo: Robert Deering 5/27/2017
 Cavanaugh Flight Museum
Addison Airport (ADS)
 Addison, Texas		  
First appearing entering combat in May 1918, the Fokker D.VII quickly showed its superior performance over Allied fighters. With its high rate of climb, higher ceiling and excellent handling characteristics, German pilots scored a remarkable 565 victories over Allied aircraft during the month of August alone.

Designed by Reinhold Platz, the prototype of the D. VII flew in a competition against other new fighter aircraft in early 1918. After Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the famous Red Baron, flew the prototype and enthusiastically recommended it, the D. VII was chosen for production. To achieve higher production rates, Fokker, the Albatross company and the Allgemeine Elektrizitats Gesellschaft (AEG) all built the D. VII. By war's end in November 1918, these three companies had built more than 1,700 aircraft.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  29 ft. 3.5 in. Maximum speed:  120 mph (Mercedes engine); 124 mph (BMW engine)
Length:  22 ft. 11.5 in. Cruising speed: 
Height:  9 ft. 2.5 in. Range: 
Empty Weight:  1,540 lbs Service ceiling:  18,000 ft. (Mercedes engine); 21,000 ft. (BMW engine)
Gross Weight:  1,939 lbs. loaded  
Crew:  Pilot
Engines:  Mercedes 160 hp or BMW 185 hp
Armament:  Two 7.92 Spandau machine guns
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force