Halberstadt D.IV Biplane Fighter Prototype Aircraft

Just three prototypes served the Halberstadt D.IV fighter project - the design rejected by German authorities.

Updated: 12/9/2016; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The Halberstadt D.IV mark was a short-lived biplane fighter following the earlier D.II design. The D.IV was developed to a German Air Service contract that was awarded on March 9th, 1916 calling for a twin-gunned fighter of strong performance and dogfighting qualities. The resulting aircraft failed to meet expectations and only three were built by the company - authorities citing poor cabane design obstructing critical views for the pilot.

The aircraft was given many traditional biplane fighter qualities of the period - a single-seat open-air cockpit, a biplane (over-under) wing arrangement and fixed wheeled undercarriage (tail-dragger). Power was to come from an engine outputting 150 to 160 horsepower so the Benz Bz.III series engine of 150 horsepower was used to drive the two-bladed wooden propeller. The engine sat under a cowl which added some aerodynamic efficiency at the nose. Armament was to be 2 x 7.92mm synchronized machine guns firing through the spinning propeller blades.

Three D.IV aircraft were contracted for to serve in various levels of testing. The design was formally showcased to German authorities during October of 1916 but was rejected. Nevertheless, the company moved the design forward and produced the successful CL.II two-seat escort/fighter / ground attack biplane. 800 of this mark were built before war's end.

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Halberstadt D.IV Technical Specifications

Service Year: 1916
Type: Biplane Fighter Prototype Aircraft
National Origin: Imperial Germany
Manufacturer(s): Halberstadt - German Empire
Production Total: 3

Structural (Crew Space, Dimensions and Weights)

Operating Crew (Typical): 1
Overall Length: 23.62 feet (7.2 meters)
Overall Width: 27.56 feet (8.40 meters)
Overall Height: 8.37 feet (2.55 meters)

Weight (Empty): 1,367 lb (620 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 1,830 lb (830 kg)

Installed Power and Standard Day Performance

Propulsion: 1 x Benz Bz.III engine developing 150 horsepower and driving a two-bladed propeller at the nose.

Maximum Speed: 92 mph (148 kph; 80 knots)
Service Ceiling: 11,811 feet (3,600 meters; 2.24 miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 650 feet-per-minute (198 m/min)

Armament / Mission Payload

PROPOSED:
2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine guns synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.

Global Operators / Customers

Imperial Germany (cancelled)

Model Variants (Including Prototypes)

D.IV - Base Series Designation; three prototypes completed.