Aviatik (Berg) D.II

The Aviatik (Berg) D.II was a single‑seat German fighter developed in 1917 as a derivative of the earlier Aviatik D.I, with the chief designer Ernst Berg overseeing its evolution. Built by the Aviatik factory in Leipzig, the D.II incorporated a more powerful 110 hp Oberursel U.II rotary engine and a refined, streamlined wooden fuselage. Its wings were of equal span, braced by a single set of struts, and featured a slight dihedral that improved lateral stability. Armed with a pair of synchronized LMG 08/15 machine guns, the aircraft could engage enemy aircraft at modest altitudes, achieving a top speed of around 170 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,500 m.

Although only a limited batch entered front‑line service with the Luftstreitkräfte after its debut at the June 1917 fighter competition, the D.II demonstrated notable handling qualities and rapid climb performance, earning praise from pilots who appreciated its balanced controls. The model’s modest production run—approximately 70 units—meant it never achieved the fame of contemporaries such as the Albatros D.V, yet it contributed to the iterative design knowledge that shaped later German fighters. The Aviatik (Berg) D.II thus represents a transitional step in World War I aviation, illustrating how incremental improvements in powerplant, armament, and aerodynamics informed the rapid evolution of combat aircraft during the conflict.