Pfalz D.III

The Everbusch brothers designed a real work horse fighter for the German Air Force in the Pfalz D.III of 1917.  Its major claim to fame was in the large numbers built, with almost every Jasta having some on strength.  Usually they were relegated to novice pilots in preference to Albatros D.III, D.V or DVa's.  Powered by a 160hp. liquid-cooled Mercedes Benz engine, its armament consisted of twin synchronized Spandau machine guns.  A unique feature on this aircraft was that it employed a reversed airfoil section on the horizontal stabilizer, which provided automatic recovery in a prolonged dive.  A number of German pilots wounded in aerial combat owed their lives to this particular capability.  A rugged monocoque fuselage constructed of wrapped plywood gave the Pfalz its sleek, racy appearance. The first German aircraft to fall to American pilots during WWI was a Pfalz D.III.