Fokker Dr.I

The Fokker Dr.I, a triplane fighter produced by the Dutch manufacturer Fokker during World War I, entered service in 1917 and quickly became an icon of early aerial combat. Designed by Reinhold Platz, the aircraft combined a compact, three‑wing structure with a lightweight wooden frame and fabric covering, giving it exceptional maneuverability and a high rate of climb. Powered by an Oberursel rotary engine delivering around 110 horsepower, the Dr.I could reach a top speed of roughly 185 km/h (115 mph) and was armed with two synchronized LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns. Its tight turning radius made it a formidable opponent in dogfights, although the design suffered from structural weaknesses that led to several fatal crashes. The most famous pilot to fly the Dr.I was Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron,” whose victories helped cement the plane’s reputation. Although only a few thousand were built before the war ended, the Dr.I’s distinctive silhouette and combat legacy had a lasting impact, influencing post‑war aircraft designers and cementing Fokker’s reputation as an innovator in military aviation. Today, reproductions of the triplane are displayed in museums worldwide, reminding enthusiasts of its daring legacy.

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