Siemens-Schuckert D.IV
Imperial Germany (1918)
Detailing the development and operational history of the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV Biplane Fighter Aircraft.
Entry last updated on 10/26/2016; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com Siemens-Schuckert D.IV
The Siemens-Schuckert D.IV biplane fighter was still in production after the armistice was signed and is considered the best fighter design of the Great War.
The Siemens-Schuckert D.IV was a further development of the D-series brand, itself a copy of the spectacular French Nieuport 11. Development of the D.IV stemmed from the D.IIc short wing span prototype ordered after production of the D.I was complete. Performance was improved in the D.IV with new wings and added to the already impressive rate-of-climb that the aircraft would be known for. The D.IV appeared in serviceable numbers in August of 1918, just a few months before Germany's inevitable defeat.
Some 60 D.IV systems were on hand to see operational service with some 123 total examples eventually produced. The D.IV proved to have tremendous climbing capabilities and offered up an impressive service ceiling. Armament consisted of twin 7.92mm LMG 08/15 series machine guns while power stemmed from a Siemens-Halske Sh.III 11-cylinder geared rotary engine of 160 horsepower. Top speed was nearly 120 miles per hour and the aircraft maintained an endurance of 2 hours. In many respects, the system outperformed the challenging Fokker designs and ultimately was regarded as the best fighter design for either side in the whole of the war.
With Germany's capitulation by November of 1918, the armistice was signed and Germany was banned from any future aircraft production - though surprisingly the D.VI continued production through the middle of 1919. Switzerland purchased many surplus D.IV aircraft in the post-war years, keeping them operational well into the 1920's. In any regard, the D.VI can be seen as the pinnacle of the Siemens-Schuckert D-series with the original French Nieuport 11 design to thank for it.
Any available statistics for the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV Biplane Fighter Aircraft are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Some 60 D.IV systems were on hand to see operational service with some 123 total examples eventually produced. The D.IV proved to have tremendous climbing capabilities and offered up an impressive service ceiling. Armament consisted of twin 7.92mm LMG 08/15 series machine guns while power stemmed from a Siemens-Halske Sh.III 11-cylinder geared rotary engine of 160 horsepower. Top speed was nearly 120 miles per hour and the aircraft maintained an endurance of 2 hours. In many respects, the system outperformed the challenging Fokker designs and ultimately was regarded as the best fighter design for either side in the whole of the war.
With Germany's capitulation by November of 1918, the armistice was signed and Germany was banned from any future aircraft production - though surprisingly the D.VI continued production through the middle of 1919. Switzerland purchased many surplus D.IV aircraft in the post-war years, keeping them operational well into the 1920's. In any regard, the D.VI can be seen as the pinnacle of the Siemens-Schuckert D-series with the original French Nieuport 11 design to thank for it.
Any available statistics for the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV Biplane Fighter Aircraft are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Siemens-Schuckert D.IV Specifications
Imperial Germany
Year: 1918
Type: Biplane Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer(s): Siemens-Schuckert Werke - Germany
Production: 123
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 1
Length: 18.70 ft (5.7 m)
Width: 27.40 ft (8.35 m)
Height: 8.92 ft (2.72 m)
Empty Weight: 1,190 lb (540 kg)
MTOW: 1,620 lb (735 kg)
Installed Power
1 x Siemens-Halske Sh.III 11-cylinder geared rotary engine developing 160 horsepower.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 118 mph (190 kph; 103 kts)
Service Ceiling: 26,247 ft (8,000 m; 4.97 mi)
Rate-of-Climb: 400 ft/min (122 m/min)
Armament
2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine guns
Operators List
Imperial Germany; Switzerland
Series Model Variants
• D.I - Pilot trainer; Nieuport 11 direct copy; 95 produced.
• D.II - Prototype; Siemens-Halske Sh III 160 horsepower rotary engine; larger fuselage to accomodate new engine; larger propeller blades.
• D.II - Larger and wider fuselage
• D.IIa - Prototype
• D.IIb - Prototype
• D.IIc - 2 Prototypes (long and short wing span versions)
• D.IIe - Prototype
• D.III - Upgraded powerplant to Siemens-Halske 160 horsepower rotary engine.
• D.IV - Late arriving and post-Armistice production variant; 60 produced.
• D.V - Proposed sesquiplane variant
• D.VI - Parasol Monoplane variant becoming the E.I.
Supported Weapon Systems
