BERNHARD C.F. KLEIN MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 7700. Siemens-Schuckert D Dr.I
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Siemens-Schuckert D Dr.I

02/28/2023. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The extremely unusual D Dr.I represented one of the earliest examples of the twin-engined center line thrust concept. The single-seat fighter was powered by two high-compression 120 hp Siemens-Halske Sh Ia rotary engines being mounted fore and aft of the pilot in an abbreviated nacelle, with the tractor engine driving a two-bladed propeller and the pusher engine driving a four-blader. An equi-span staggered triplane with the rudders and elevator carried by tubular steel outriggers, the D Dr.I carried an armament of two synchronized 0.311 in (7.9 mm) LMG 08/15 machine guns.

The design found favor with the Idflieg, to which it was presented in June 1917, the prototype flying for the first time in November, but crashing on its maiden flight; it was not rebuilt. Aerodynamic problems were not fully appreciated or understood and engine control problems and inadequate stability revealed during the brief flight of the D Dr.I led to cancellation of a more powerful version of the basic design, the D Dr.II with Siemens-Halske Sh III engines."

04/30/2008. Remarks by Bernhard Klein: "Because of its "pod" fuselage the D Dr.I was nicknamed "Das fliegende Ei" ("The flying egg") by the workers at the Siemens-Schuckertwerke GmbH at Siemensstadt, near Berlin, Germany."
Siemens-Schuckert D Dr.I


Created April 30, 2008