![]() The best version of the aircraft was the D.VIIF, powered by the over-compressed B.M.W. Very few used the original Mercedes D.III 160hp engine, replacing it with the D.IIIaü, capable of producing 180-195hp. Of the more than 3,000 aircraft ordered, only 1,000 were produced by Fokker.ĭuring its production run the D.VII was powered by a variety of engines. To solve this problem, Albatros and OAW were given contracts to build the D.VII under license, paying Fokker a 5% fee. ![]() The German army realised that Fokker did not have the capacity to build enough aircraft for their needs, even after an order for AEG C.IV trainers being built under license was cancelled. The ease with which the simple fuselage could be maintained was one of the reasons the type was adopted. The D.VII combined a conventional steel-tube fuselage with advanced internally braced cantilevered wings, constructed with plywood ribs, covered in fabric and with plywood leading edges. ![]() Fokker was able to rebuild the aircraft mid-contest to produce the winning prototype in the inline engine category and with it a production order for 300 aircraft. The V.11 prototype performed reasonably well, but lacked manoeuvrability. Part of Fokker’s success was due to his good relationships with many of the main German fighter pilots, including Manfred von Richthofen. ![]() The D.VII entered production after the first German fighter contest of 21 January-12 February 1918.
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