Aviatik D.III
The Aviatik D.III was a experimental single-seater fighter plane built by Automobil und Aviatik AG for the Imperial German Army's Imperial German Air Service during the First World War. Two aircraft were delivered in 1917, but they may have been primarily intended as engine testbeds. Low-rate production continued after the end of the war in November 1918 for service with the postwar Air Force and Air Police. The D.III became the basis for the Aviatik D.IV.
Design and development
In November 1917, the plane was first flown, using a water-cooled, Benz [Bz.III]bo V-eight piston engine. It was armed with two LMG 08/15 machine guns. After testing at Adlershof from February 9-12, 1918, the plane underwent modifications, as requested by the Imperial German Air Service's Inspectorate of Flying Troops. In April, a second prototype made its first flight, powered by a geared Benz Bz.IIIbm, although several D.IIIs powered by the original Bz.IIIbo engine were already under production.A single D.III airframe was modified to accommodate a geared Bz.IIIbv engine that displaced more than the earlier Bz.IIIbo and Bz.IIIbm models, but produced the same amount of power as the D.IV.