Roland D.III

The Roland D.III was the last airplane of the engineers Tantzen and Hoffmann which got the nickname "shark" and put an improved version of the Roland D.II there. Despite the elimination of some shortcomings, the aircraft was still inferior to the competition.

 

Development and construction:

From the experience of Roland D.I and the D.II, the upper wing of the D.III was placed on a tension tower this time, so that the pilot had a better view to the front and to the bottom. Likewise, the tail has been increased to make the aircraft more manoeuvrable.

Like the D.II, the D.III was equipped with the 180 hp Opel-Argus As.III engine.

Since there was no significant improvement over its predecessor, only 150 of this type were built, which was mainly transferred to the Royal Bulgarian flying force.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

As the Roland D.III could not connect to the used Albatros aircraft, of the 150 aircraft built only 25 were used at the front. The other aircraft were mainly used to train pilots.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Roland D.III
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,84 meters
Span:	8,94 meters
Height:	2,76 meters
Mass:	717kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Water-cooled six-cylinder inline engine Opel-Argus As.III 180 hp
Maximum speed:	175 km/h
Reach:	unknown
Armament:	2 x synchronized machine guns 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the right literature here:

 

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Click here!

 

 

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

Click here!

 

 

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

Click here!

 

 

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

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