FEATURES

• 1/16" sq. stringers as a support for 1/32" sheeting on the fuselage
• Wings are scale shape but flat bottomed and have dual spars with thin edges
• In wing sub micro servo driven ailerons
• Sheet and strip wood included

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

While the Albatros DIII, DV, DVa were popular fighters, they had a severe problem with lower wing failure. This was primarily due to the single attachment of the IP strut on the bottom wing. The design allowed the lower wing to twist and fail in flight. The Pfalz DIII was the Pfalz's answer to the wing failure and it brought Pfalz into the limelight of German leading fighter manufacturers. The Pfalz had a double point attachment on the lower wing and it was still a sesquiplane design. It did not suffer wing failure. The DIIIa introduced a larger tail and moved the position of the machine guns so that they could be serviced in flight. The most distinctive feature of the aircraft was the fuselage. Produced using the " Wickelrumpf " technique, the fuselage was made by wrapping and gluing thin layers of plywood around a mold. This led to a strong smooth and light monocoque structure which was then covered in fabric. From April 1917 to February 1918 a total of 1010 DIII and DIIIa variants were ordered. 750 Pfalz DIIIa were delivered.