Few aircraft have received the attention given the Fokker Dr. I triplane. Often linked with the career of World War I's highest scoring ace, Germany's Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen (the "Red Baron"), the nimble Dr. I earned a reputation as one of the best dogfighters of the war.
The German air force ordered the Fokker Dr. I in the summer of 1917, after the earlier success of the British Sopwith triplane. The first Dr. Is appeared over the Western Front in August 1917. Pilots were impressed with its agility, and several scored victories with the highly maneuverable triplane. Von Richthofen score 19 of his last 21 victories were achieved while he was flying the Dr. I. By May 1918, however, the Dr. I was being replaced by the newer and faster Fokker D. VII.
Although Fokker built a total of 320 Dr. Is, none have survived. This reproduction is painted to represent the aircraft flown by Lt. Arthur Rahn in April 1918 when he served with Jagdstaffel 19. Lt. Rahn is credited with six confirmed victories. The aircraft was placed on display in April 1994.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Two 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns
Engine: Oberursel Ur II of 110 hp or LeRhone of 110 hp
Maximum speed: 103 mph
Range: 185 miles
Ceiling: 19,685 ft.
Span: 23 ft. 7 in.
Length: 18 ft. 11 in.
Height: 9 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 891 lbs. empty; 1,291 lbs. loaded
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