One of the last Aviatik-designed fighters to enjoy development before the end of World War 1, the D.VII served only as an experimental biplane fighter. Of single-seat, single-engine design, the D.VII was an offshoot of the earlier D.VI commitment and evolved by way of redesigned tail surfaces. A first-flight was recorded during October of 1918 but the end of the war in November meant the end to development of this machine.
As tested, the aircraft sported a length of 20 feet, a wingspan of 31.7 feet and a height of 8.1 feet. Empty weight was 1,642lb against an MTOW of 2,085 lb. Power was from a Benz Bz.IIIbm V8 geared liquid-cooled piston engine developing 200 horsepower and driving a four-bladed propeller at the nose (this was the same engine used in the D.VI). Proposed armament was 2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 'Spandau' machine guns synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.
The D.VII's profile was consistent with biplane fighters of the period: an open-air cockpit set behind the upper wing assembly, a slab-sided fuselage and a fixed undercarriage wheeled at the two main members under the fuselage's mass. The upper and lower wing assemblies were joined via parallel struts which created two bays along the wing's length. The wing mainplanes were also of unequal span. The large, four-bladed wooden propeller at the nose was capped by a spinner which aided aerodynamics. The machine gun armament was set over the nose.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
Length
20.0 ft (6.10 m)
Width/Span
31.7 ft (9.65 m)
Height
8.2 ft (2.50 m)
Empty Wgt
1,642 lb (745 kg)
MTOW
2,083 lb (945 kg)
Wgt Diff
+441 lb (+200 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Aviatik D.VII production variant)
Installed:
1 x Benz Bz.IIIbm geared engine developing 195 horsepower and driving a four-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Aviatik D.VII production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
PROPOSED:
2 x 7.92mm LMG 08/15 Spandau machine guns over the nose synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
D.VII - Base Series Designation; single prototype completed and flown before the end of the war.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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German Empire (cancelled)
