Aviatik D.VI

Aviatik D.VI
Profile view of the Aviatik D.VI
Role	Experimental single-seat biplane fighter
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Aviatik
First flight	August 1918
Number built	1

The Aviatik D.VI was a German prototype single-seater fighter aircraft of the First World War, designed by Aviatik.

Design

The D.VI was a two-bay biplane of wooden construction with ply-covered fuselage and fabric-covered wings and tail surfaces. Armament comprised two synchronised 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns and power was provided by a geared Benz Bz.IIIbm.

Development

The D.VI was intended to participate in the second D-type Contest held at Adlershof in June 1918, but, owing to problems with the reduction gear of the Bz.IIIbm, it was too late to participate in this contest, and by the time type-testing had revealed excellent flight characteristics, the D.VI had already been overtaken by the D.VII.

Specifications

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 9.66 m (31 ft 8 in)
• Height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 940 kg (2,072 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IIIbm geared V-8 liquid-cooled piston engine , 149 kW (200 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 188 km/h (117 mph, 102 kn)
• Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn)
• Rate of climb: 4.1 m/s (800 ft/min)

Armament

• 2 × forward-firing synchronised 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 "Spandau" machine guns

Bibliography

• Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen (1987) [1970]. German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
• Green, William & Swanborough, Gordon (2001) [1994]. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Built and Flown (Revised and Updated ed.). London: Salamander Books. ISBN 1-84065-269-1.
• Herris, Jack (2023). Aviatik Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 10 (2nd ed.). n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-953201-59-1.