What do you think was the best WW1 fighter?
My opinion it is the Fokker D VII. It did not show up till end of the war (1918) but it was proven to be superior to anything else in the sky. It was the only aircraft the Germans used that was specifically mentioned in the armistance agreement to be turned over to the allies.
The D VII could dive without any fear of structural failure. The D.VII was also noted for its ability to climb at high angles of attack, its remarkably docile stalling behavior, and its reluctance to spin. These handling characteristics contrasted with contemporary scouts such as the Camel and SPAD, which stalled sharply and spun vigorously.
However, the D.VII also had problems. Heat from the engine often ignited phosphorus ammunition until cooling vents were installed in the ammunition cans. Fuel tanks sometimes broke at the seams. The D.VII also shed fabric and experienced rib failures on the upper wing. Planes built by the Fokker plant at Schwerin were particularly noted for their lower standard of workmanship and materials. Nevertheless, the D.VII proved to be a remarkably successful design, leading to the familiar aphorism that it could turn a mediocre pilot into a good one, and a good pilot into an ace.
Info was taken from: Fokker D.VII - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
775 D VIIs made it into service before wars end and it quickly racked up kills (565 alone just in August 1918).
Post war it was used by the United States (142), Poland (50), Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.
My opinion it is the Fokker D VII. It did not show up till end of the war (1918) but it was proven to be superior to anything else in the sky. It was the only aircraft the Germans used that was specifically mentioned in the armistance agreement to be turned over to the allies.
The D VII could dive without any fear of structural failure. The D.VII was also noted for its ability to climb at high angles of attack, its remarkably docile stalling behavior, and its reluctance to spin. These handling characteristics contrasted with contemporary scouts such as the Camel and SPAD, which stalled sharply and spun vigorously.
However, the D.VII also had problems. Heat from the engine often ignited phosphorus ammunition until cooling vents were installed in the ammunition cans. Fuel tanks sometimes broke at the seams. The D.VII also shed fabric and experienced rib failures on the upper wing. Planes built by the Fokker plant at Schwerin were particularly noted for their lower standard of workmanship and materials. Nevertheless, the D.VII proved to be a remarkably successful design, leading to the familiar aphorism that it could turn a mediocre pilot into a good one, and a good pilot into an ace.
Info was taken from: Fokker D.VII - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
775 D VIIs made it into service before wars end and it quickly racked up kills (565 alone just in August 1918).
Post war it was used by the United States (142), Poland (50), Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.
....
