|
__NOTOC__ The Siemens-Schuckert D.III was a German single-seat fighter built by Siemens-Schuckert Werke. The D.III was a development of the earlier Siemens-Schuckert D.IIc prototype.〔Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 530.〕 The D.III was an equal-span sesquiplane powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh.III bi-rotary engine. ''Idflieg'' placed an order for 20 aircraft in December 1917, followed by a second order of 30 aircraft in February 1918.〔Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 213.〕 ==Operational history== Approximately 41 D.IIIs were delivered to frontline units between April and May 1918.〔 Most aircraft were supplied to ''Jagdgeschwader'' II,〔VanWyngarden 2005, p. 43.〕 whose pilots were enthusiastic about the new aircraft's handling and rate of climb. After only seven to 10 hours of service, however, the Sh.III engines started showing serious problems with overheating and piston seizure.〔Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 214.〕 The problem was later traced to the ''Voltol'' mineral oil that was used to replace the now-scarce castor oil.〔 Furthermore, the close-fitting engine cowling provided inadequate cooling to the engine.〔Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 215.〕 In late May 1918, ''Jagdgeschwader'' II replaced its D.IIIs with the older Fokker Dr.I.〔VanWyngarden 2005, p. 44.〕 The remaining D.III aircraft were returned to the Siemens-Schuckert factory, where they were retrofitted with new Sh.IIIa engines, an enlarged rudder, and cutaway cowlings that provided improved airflow.〔 A further 30 new production D.IIIs incorporated these modifications. Total production amounted to 80 aircraft.〔 In July 1918, the D.III returned to active service as an interceptor with home defense squadrons.〔 By this time, the D.III had been replaced in production by the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Siemens-Schuckert D.III」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|