Pfalz D.IIIa inquiry

Gentlemen,

Can anyone provide comparative details between the Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa models? I am especially interested in any accurate comparative performance data - i.e.: speeds @ altitude and time to climb data. uch information seems hard to locate in English language aviation literature. The same data seems to be repeated over and over without any citation. I also suspect that this information originates with Allied testing of a captured a/c. I'm interested if any German forumites might be able to provide performance information derived from a proper test evaluation.

Thanks,

Byron

[Craig]

This question intrigues me, too. In fact, I have asked it on the Forum before - to no avail.

The only figure I have ever seen that varies from the "165kph/102.5mph top speed at 10k feet" mantra is 112 mph at ground level. I saw it only once, in a recent book about German air power in WW1. Typically, I can't remember the name of it.
Rumor has it that Autumn will bring a book on Pfalz a/c from Peter M Grosz.

I would be highly interested to buy that book.

Canadian Aces mentions a speed of 106mph @ 18537ft (3000 meters) for a D.III with Mercedes D.IIIa 180hp engine, but they provide no citation of source.

Byron

[Craig]

<<106mph @ 18537ft (3000 meters)>>
That's a very respectable clip, especially since the machine was not considered to be as fast as its competitors or adversaries. Is 3000 meters really 18,537 feet? That seems too many feet per meter.

Help?

[Graeme]

18,537 feet equates to 5,650 metres; 3,000 metres equates to 9,843 feet.

[Craig]

Thanks Graeme.
That keeps it in the range of the tried-and-true "102.5 mph @ 10,000 feet".
I do wonder why adding 20 HP didn't speed the bird up much.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Byron:
1.The data I have on my Pfalz D.III drawings are:
Maximum Airspeed: 170 k/hr.
Empty weight; 687kg. useful load, 235 kg, total weight, 922 kg.
Engine: 170 Ps Mercedes D.IIIa.
Service ceiling; 5500 M.
2. The data on the Pfalz D.IIIa drawing are:
maximum airspeed; 181 k/hr
Empty weight, 695 kg; useful load, 235 kg; total weight, 930 kg.
Engine; 180 Ps Mercedes D.IIIaü.
Service ceiling; 6000 M.
I try to use accurate data on my drawings. Most of the information used comes from the British and French reports on captured aircraft. Mine came from various documents and the Idflieg Baubeschriben reports. I hope this is of help.
Blue Skies,
Dan-San Abbott

To all,

Thank you for the good information on the Pfalz, which has advanced the cause a few steps. One point from my side ... I re-checked my notes and discovered that I had inadvertently mingled the speed of 106mph with the rated ceiling of 18537ft. The speed of 106mph was actually measured at 9842ft altitude, which is indeed 3000m. Therein is a demonstration of the dangers of working from memory alone ;-] .

Byron

Dan-san,

When you mention maximum speeds of 170 and 181 kph, can I infer that these are "sea level" speeds? I presume so.

Byron

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Bryon:
Yes, The maximum airspeed are at sea level.
Blue skies,
Dan-San Abbott