The Albatros D.Va
The Albatros D.V was developed from the previous D.III design intended to be a lighter fighter with increased performance. However, as soon as it was deployed to frontline Jastas in May 1917, the new type began having catastrophic wing failures. The D.Va was a further development attempting to solve the wing failures. Although externally it appeared similar to the earlier D.V, the Albatros D.Va airframe was beefed up with additional fuselage frames, stronger wing spars and heavier wing ribs. Aileron control cables were moved from the upper wing to the lower wing, an additional wing tip flying wire was added and a supplement “knee” strut was added to the front of the main V wing struts. These last three are the main visual identifiers for the D.Va versus the D.V.
Because of the strengthened airframe, the empty weight increased. Speed and maneuverability were degraded but it was still a capable performing fighter. The beefed up construction coupled with some follow on in-the-field modifications finally resolved the wing failures. Large D.Va orders were placed – some 1600 between August and October 1917. It began reaching front line units in October 1917, replacing the earlier D.V’s. The number of Albatros D.Va’s at the front peaked in April 1918 at 928 – 47% of the total German fighter strength.
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The model, textures. panel and air files are by Captain Kurt. The pilot figures were developed from Wolfi's freeware Japanese pilot .fsc source file. The prop spinning texture is by Kelticheart.
Gauges are by Martin Klein with texture change outs by Captain Kurt.
The Albatros D.V was developed from the previous D.III design intended to be a lighter fighter with increased performance. However, as soon as it was deployed to frontline Jastas in May 1917, the new type began having catastrophic wing failures. The D.Va was a further development attempting to solve the wing failures. Although externally it appeared similar to the earlier D.V, the Albatros D.Va airframe was beefed up with additional fuselage frames, stronger wing spars and heavier wing ribs. Aileron control cables were moved from the upper wing to the lower wing, an additional wing tip flying wire was added and a supplement “knee” strut was added to the front of the main V wing struts. These last three are the main visual identifiers for the D.Va versus the D.V.
Because of the strengthened airframe, the empty weight increased. Speed and maneuverability were degraded but it was still a capable performing fighter. The beefed up construction coupled with some follow on in-the-field modifications finally resolved the wing failures. Large D.Va orders were placed – some 1600 between August and October 1917. It began reaching front line units in October 1917, replacing the earlier D.V’s. The number of Albatros D.Va’s at the front peaked in April 1918 at 928 – 47% of the total German fighter strength.
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The model, textures. panel and air files are by Captain Kurt. The pilot figures were developed from Wolfi's freeware Japanese pilot .fsc source file. The prop spinning texture is by Kelticheart.
Gauges are by Martin Klein with texture change outs by Captain Kurt.
