Bat Project 72006 Siemens-Schuckert D.I (Early) WWI German Fighter

Siemens-Schuckert D.I (Early) WWI German Fighter

In mid-1916, German forces captured an intact example of the new French Nieuport 17 fighter. Impressed by the agile sesquiplane's performance, the German Air Command promptly issued an urgent specification calling for a domestic counterpart with improved capabilities. The Siemens-Schuckertwerke concern was the quickest to deliver, with its design team effectively reverse-engineering the French airframe. The resulting design was mated to an indigenous 110 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.I bi-rotary engine and standard German synchronized armament.

Designated the Siemens-Schuckert D.I, the fighter underwent flight trials in October 1916, with series production launching that December across twin assembly lines in Berlin and Nuremberg. Early in 1917, the type reached the Western Front, equipping several Jagdstaffeln in limited numbers. However, the bulk of the Siemens-Schuckert D.I fleet ended up relegated to fighter training schools and second-line units. Total production amounted to 95 aircraft.

Technical Specifications of the Siemens-Schuckert D.I

• Length — 19.69 ft
• Wingspan — 24.61 ft
• Height — 8.50 ft
• Wing area — 155 sq ft
• Empty weight — 948 lb
• Take-off weight — 1,488 lb
• Powerplant — 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh.I bi-rotary engine, 110 hp
• Maximum speed — 96 mph
• Rate of climb — 937 ft/min
• Flight endurance — 2 h 20 min
• Service ceiling — 16,404 ft
• Crew — 1
• Armament — 1 × 7.92 mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun