Albatros D.V and D.Va differences

RTY1941 · 13 February 2009, 01:43 AM

I want to know what differences between the D.V & D.Va. Also are the two different in sizes. i.e. wingspan, fuselage length etc.. (I know somebody ask this before but I want photos !!! Like paint or photos .)
Come on ! give me some photo or paint to see have what differences .

Dan_San_Abbott · 14 February 2009, 05:51 PM

RTY141:
The Alb.D.V was a project to improve the performance of the Alb.D.III through a redesign of the airframe structure and a refinement of the D.III fuselage.
The empty weight of the Alb.D.III was 673 kg.(1480 lbs.) OAW, a subsidiary of Albatros, lighted the airframe on the Alb.D.III they built to 664 kg.
(1460 lbs)
The entire airfame was lightened using smaller cross-section on all components and the redirection of the aileron control system from through the lower wing to the ailerons in the upper wing, instead going direct to the upper wing from the fuselage and through the upper wing to the ailerons. When the engineers completed the project, the aircraft empty weight was 620 kg.(1364 lbs). The performance improved over the D.III, with the maximum airspeed increased to 187 km/hr @ S/L, from 175 km/hr @ S/L of the D.III. The ceiling was increased from 5800 meters (19020 ft') to 6500 meters,(21320') with the D.V. The range was increased from 310 kilometers to 380 kilometers.
The new design was designated by Idflieg, Alb.D.V. It went into production and service, but after a short time, it was discovered the lightening of the airframe structure was a mistake, it was found that structural failures were occurring in combat maneuvers and landings. Idflieg directed the Albatros Werke to take a look at the problem and resolve it.
Albatros engineers redesigned the structure increasing the size of cross-sections, when the prototype was built, it weighed 680 kg.(1496 lbs.) Also the engine was changed to the heavier and more powerful 180 Ps Mercedes D.IIIaü instead of the 170 Ps D.IIIa engine of the Alb.D.V. The aileron control system reverted to the method used on the Alb.D.III.
The Performance of the Alb.D.Va was not improved over the D.V but had been degraded, the maximum airspeed remained the same at 187 km/hr @ S/L, the ceiling was reduced from 6500 meters to 6250 meters and the range decreased to 350 kilometers. The gross weight had increased from 835 kg
(1837 lbs.) to 915 kg.(2013 lbs). The OAW built version was heavier still with an empty of 717 kg.(1577lbs.) and a gross weight of 937 kg.(2061lbs.) The performance of the OAW built D.Va was slightly degraded from the Albatros built D.Va, the maximum airspeed was the same, the ceiling was the same, however the range was degraded to 300 kilometers because of the less amount of fuel.
well those are the differences between the Alb/D.V and the two Alb.D.Va machines.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

RTY1941 · 23 February 2009, 01:59 AM

The main (visible)difference is what ? eg: Look in a photo I can see which part to know is a D.V or D.Va

'14-'18aviationcollector · 23 February 2009, 03:43 AM

Hi,

As Dan-San mentioned (although it is hidden within a lot of very interesting information) the Albatros D.Va reverted to the aileron control system used on the Albatros D.III, and that is the single most visible difference between the two models. If you look carefully you will see two cables exiting at an angle from behind the V strut attachment on the lower wing of the D.Va, and the D.V does not have these two cables. The D.V also has a fairings or shrouds on the top wing where the aileron control cables exit. If you see these fairings, the photograph is of a D.V.

I hope this helps, cheers,

David.

Alien · 23 February 2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTY1941

The main (visible)difference is what ? eg: Look in a photo I can see which part to know is a D.V or D.Va

For me the most easily visible difference is the aileron shrouds on the top wing of the Albatros D V. See the little red circle in the attachment.

Olson · 23 February 2009, 03:19 PM

Great photo, I've not encountered this bird before. Who is the pilot and where did he serve, thanks.....John
BTW, the main gear fairing appears to be painted?

FOKKERJ · 23 February 2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien

For me the most easily visible difference is the aileron shrouds on the top wing of the Albatros D V. See the little red circle in the attachment.

Excellent foto, Thanks for sharing, FOKKERJ

Dan_San_Abbott · 23 February 2009, 07:31 PM

Hi John:
The pilot is Vzfw. Schmid of Jasta 32b.
Blue skies,
Dan-san

BLOWHARD · 23 February 2009, 08:18 PM

Don't forget about the auxiliary strut added to the interplane struts attached to the lower wing leading edge on earlier D.Vas. I'm sure someone here knows a ballpark date as to when these were used and discontinued, probably serial number blocks too.

I might be wrong about this but I'd say if that if you see auxiliary struts, it's a D.Va.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 23 February 2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLOWHARD

Don't forget about the auxiliary strut added to the interplane struts attached to the lower wing leading edge on earlier D.Vas. I'm sure someone here knows a ballpark date as to when these were used and discontinued, probably serial number blocks too.

I might be wrong about this but I'd say if that if you see auxiliary struts, it's a D.Va.

Hi BH,

I think that some D.V's also had the auxilliary struts retrofitted, so it's not a guaranteed way of telling a D.V from a D.Va, but as you said, generally speaking the D.Va's had the auxilliary struts fitted. If you can see the auxilliary struts, generally speaking you should be able to see the aileron cables which exit the lower wing and operate the ailerons on the upper wing, and this (and / or the shrouds on the upper wing) is the best way to tell the difference between the two models.