Fokker Dr.1

The Fokker Dr.I combined excellent maneuverability with a high rate of climb. It was favored by Manfred von Richthofen and Werner Voss, two of Germany’s legendary fighter pilots. Both lost their lives in this type of aircraft in two of the most talked about air battles of the war.

The Dr.I was inspired by the success of the Sopwith Triplane which entered combat in the Spring of 1917. Looking to create a rugged and maneuverable fighter, Fokker’s Reinhold Platz developed a triplane that featured a steel tube fuselage and cantilever wings, which did not require external bracing. This wing design was a tremendous breakthrough in aircraft development. However, many triplanes suffered wing failures in flight, resulting in fatal crashes. The design was slightly modified, but evidence indicates the failures were caused by poor workmanship – insufficient varnish resulting in moisture absorption and deterioration of the wooden wings.

This impressive replica was constructed by serial airplane builder and aerodrome pilot, Brian Coughlin. It was completed in the summer of 2023 and is powered by a modern 160 hp. Lycoming engine. Every Sunday, this triplane teams up with the evil Black Baron’s triplane creating a formidable duo as they plunge into the grand finale dogfight!

The triplane is finished in hand-brushed, streaked green camouflage typical of the Fokker factory. The markings are those of Jasta 14’s commanding officer, Johannes Werner, who finished the war with seven victories. One of his victims was an S.E.5a flown by Australian Major Roderick Dallas, the C.O. of 40 Squadron RAF and a 32-victory ace.

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