THE AIRPLANES
The German Flying Corps always remained one step ahead of the Allies in the development of its aircraft and armamentduring the War. |
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It gained air supremacy in the summer of 1915 with the introduction of its Fokker E.I and E.III fighters equipped with belt-fed machine guns firing through the propeller disc. Because of the Fokker's high ceiling, the German pilot could pick target, then make a diving attack, while fully utilizing the additional advantage of extra ammunition and longer bursts of fire. |
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The allied Flying Corps regained the edge in fighter supremacy with the introduction of the Nieuport 11 fighter. |
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But the Germans regained the supremacy when they introduced their Albatros D.1 fighter with its twin Spandau machine guns and its 160 h.p Mercedes engine. |
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In 1917, the French introduce an excellent aircraft fighter, the Spad XIII with twin belt-fed Vickers machine guns, but the German machine guns proved more efficient. Moreover, the German developed heated flying suits, parachutes and oxygene masks. |
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In April 1918, the German introduce the best of the First World War fighters : The Fokker D VII which could outclimb the best Allied planes. |
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TRAINING The German pilots were better trained, with a minimum of six months fighter training in two-seater airplanes. They were then examined for three weeks by top German aces. |
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TACTICS Thanks to Osprey Publishing Ltd for giving us permission to present these two Nieuport aircraft. Profile artwork by Harry Dempsey, from AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES 33, Nieuport Aces of WW1, © Osprey Publishing Ltd.
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