Halberstadt D.III

The Halberstadt D.III was a German single‑seat fighter introduced in early 1917 during World War I. Developed by the Halberstadt Flugzeugwerke, it was intended to replace the earlier D.I and D.II models and to compete with the increasingly capable Allied aircraft that were appearing on the Western Front. Powered by a 120 hp Mercedes D.IIa six‑cylinder inline engine, the D.III featured a wooden frame covered with fabric, a streamlined rounded fuselage, and a single‑bay biplane wing arrangement with slight stagger. Its armament consisted of two synchronized LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns, providing a respectable rate of fire and unobstructed forward fire through the propeller arc. The aircraft’s relatively light weight gave it good climb performance and manoeuvrability at low to medium altitudes, although its top speed of about 160 km/h lagged behind newer German fighters such as the Albatros D.V and Fokker Dr.I. Nevertheless, the D.III saw extensive service with several Jagdstaffeln, contributed to the tactical evolution of German air doctrine, and marked Halberstadt’s final major fighter contribution before the company shifted to training and reconnaissance designs. Its brief but active career illustrated the rapid pace of aviation development during the war.

Halberstadt

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification