What is 10 Second War Stories?

10 Second War Stories brings military history to life through stories, veteran profile, force profiles, and equipment guides across all nations and conflicts.

What was the Fokker D.VII?

The Fokker D.VII was a strong fighter plane built by Germany in early 1918. It was created to help Germany fight for control of the skies during the last year of World War I. Because of its design, it became one of the most important planes of the entire war.

Why was the Fokker D.VII considered a great fighter?

Pilots loved this plane because it was very easy to fly and handled well. It was famous for being able to climb up into the sky very quickly without stalling. Even new pilots found it simple to control during tough dogfights.

What made the plane's design special?

The designer, Reinhold Platz, built the wings to be very strong without needing extra wires to hold them up. This clean design made the plane sturdier than many others at the time. Because of this, the plane stayed stable and safe even when it flew in fast dives.

How did the plane fight in the war?

This fighter carried two machine guns that were specially timed to shoot through the spinning propeller. This allowed the pilot to aim their plane directly at an enemy to fire. These guns helped make the plane a powerful threat to Allied forces in the air.

What happened to the Fokker D.VII after the war ended?

By the end of the war in 1918, this plane was Germany's main fighter. It worked so well that the Allies were very worried about it. The peace treaty even forced Germany to give every single one of these planes to the Allies when the war stopped.

Home Library GermanyFokker D.VII

Biplane Fighter

Fokker D.VII

A top German fighter plane famous for its high climbing power and easy handling near the end of World War I.

Germany Introduced 1918 FokkerRole: Fighter aircraft

Specifications

Crew

1 pilot

Top Speed

116 mph

Wingspan

29 feet 3 inches

Armament

Two 7.92mm machine guns

Service Ceiling

19,600 feet

History

The Fokker D.VII was built in early 1918 to help Germany regain control of the skies over the Western Front. It was designed by Reinhold Platz and tested by famous ace pilots. The aircraft had clean, strong wings that did not need wire braces, making it faster and sturdier in dives.

Pilots loved the Fokker D.VII because it was forgiving to fly and could climb steeply without stalling. It used reliable engines from Mercedes or BMW and carried two machine guns synchronized to shoot safely past the spinning propeller. Allied aviators quickly learned to respect its combat power.

By late 1918, the D.VII had become Germany's primary fighter. It was so effective that the peace treaty ending World War I specifically required Germany to surrender every single surviving D.VII airplane to the Allies.