O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Pfalz D VII
   Two versions of the Pfalz D VII were built and differed only in engine installation and cowling arrangement and in that the second machine, with the Oberursel engine, had overhung, balanced ailerons.
   Engine, 160 h.p. Siemens-Halske Sh III geared rotary. Span, 7.52 m. (24 ft. 8 1/8 in.). Length, 5.65 m. (18 ft. 6 1/2 in.). Height, 2.85 m. (9 ft. 4 1/8 in.) Area, 17.2 sq.m. (186 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 520 kg. (1,144 lb.). Loaded, 715 kg. (1,573 lb.). Speed, 190 km.hr. (118.75 m.p.h.) at 4,000 m. Climb, 6,000 m. (19,680 ft.) in 25.25 min.
   Engine, 160 h.p. Oberursel U III rotary. Span, 8.1 m. (26 ft. 7 in.). Length, 5.55 m. (18 ft. 2 5/8 in.). Height, 2.7m. (8 ft. 10 1/4 in.). Area, 17.2 sq.m. (186 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 483.5 kg. (1,064 lb.). Loaded, 738 kg. (1,624 lb.). Duration, l 1/2 hr. (both types). Armament, twin Spandau machine-guns (both types).

Pfalz D VIII
   No less than three variants of the D VIII existed, powered with 160 h.p. Siemens-Halske, 160 h.p. Oberursel and 140 h.p. Goebel, the latter version differing in having horn-balanced ailerons and "N" format interplane struts. The machines were built early in 1918 and participated in the second D types Competition. A small production order was given for the Siemens-engined variant. A total of forty machines were completed; some nineteen were at the Front by August 1918 undergoing operational assessment with Jastas 29 and 56.
   Engine, 160 h.p. Siemens-Halske Sh III, 160 h.p. Oberursel U III, 140 h.p. Goebel Goe III. Span, 7.52 m. (24 ft. 8 1/8 in.). (8.1 m. 157/18). Length, 5.65 m. (18 ft. 6 1/2 in.). Height, 2.75 m. (9 ft. 0 1/8 in.). Area, 17.2 sq.m. (186 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 543 kg.(1,195 lb.); loaded,738 kg. (1,624 lb.), Sh III variant. Empty 495.6 kg. (1,090 lb.); Loaded, 685.6 kg. (1,508 lb.), U III variant. Empty, 552.7 kg. (1,216 lb.); Loaded, 722.7 kg. (1,590 lb.), Goe III variant. Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 1.9 min., 6,000 m. (19,680 ft.) in 25 min., Sh III variant; 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 21 min., 5,000 m. (16,400 ft.) in 25.5 min., U III variant. Duration, 1 1/2 hr. Armament, twin Spandau machine-guns.

W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

PFALZ D VII Germany

   A further Pfalz contender in the first D-type Competition, the D VII single-bay staggered biplane passed its Typen-Prufung in February 1918, but was not the recipient of a production contract. The D VII was tested with both balanced and unbalanced ailerons, with two-bladed and four-bladed propellers, and with at least three engines: the 160 hp Siemens Halske Sh III, the 160 hp Goebel Goe III and the 145 hp Oberursel U III. Armament consisted of the standard twin LMG 08/15 machine guns. The following data relate to the Sh III-powered model.

Max speed, 118 mph (190 km/h) at 13,125 ft (4 000 m).
Time to 19,685 ft (6 000 m), 25.25 min.
Endurance, 1.5 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,146 lb (520 kg).
Loaded weight, 1,576 lb (715 kg).
Span, 24 ft 8 in (7,52 m).
Length, 18 ft 6 1/2 in (5,65m).
Height, 9 ft 4 1/4 in (2,85 m).
Wing area, 185.14 sqft (17,20 m2).


PFALZ D VIII Germany

   A contender in the second D-type Competition at Adlershof in May 1918, the D VIII was in all respects similar to the D VII apart from having two-bay wing bracing. The slightly raked wings were of equal parallel chord with slightly splayed interplane struts, and a standard Pfalz-type wooden structure was employed, with a semi-monocoque fuselage. The Typen-Prufung was performed in January 1918, with a D VIII powered by a 160 hp Siemens Halske Sh III 11-cylinder rotary, but one of two D VIIIs participating in the D-type Competition had N-type interplane struts, horn-balanced ailerons and a 160 hp Goebel Goe III engine. Limited production of the Sh III-powered D VIII was undertaken, this being introduced to squadron service in June 1918, but by the end of August only 19 fighters of this type were at the Front, a total of 40 having been built. A D VIII was tested with a 145 hp Oberursel U III engine and another with a Rhemag R II driving counter-rotating propellers, but only the Sh III version saw service. Armed with two LMG 08/15 machine guns, the D VIII possessed pleasant handling characteristics and offered a good standard of manoeuvrability and a high climb rate, but it suffered a weak undercarriage. Data relate to the Sh III-powered D VIII.

Max speed, 118 mph (190 km/h).
Time to 9,840 ft (3 000 m), 3.1 min.
Endurance, 1.5 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,197 lb (543 kg).
Loaded weight, 1,627 lb (738 kg).
Dimensions as for D VII.

J.Herris Pfalz Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 5)

Pfalz D.VII and Pfalz D.VIII

   The Pfalz D.VII and D.VIII biplanes were clearly evolved from the earlier Pfalz Dr.I triplane, and used the same 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III counter-rotary engine. Despite the lack of structural problems with the lower wing of the Pfalz D.III, the D.VII and D.VIII finally abandoned the Nieuport wing configuration. The D.VII had a single-bay wing cellule, and for comparison the D.VIII had a two-bay wing, making it stronger but heavier and having more drag.
   Flight trials for the D.VII were flown in December 1917 and the type demonstrated exceptional climb performance in January 1918, reaching 6000 meters (19,685 feet) in 13.7 minutes. The slightly heavier D.VIII reached the same altitude in 16.5 minutes.
   There were two winners of the First Fighter Competition at Adlershof in February 1918, the Pfalz D.VII and the Fokker D.VII. Idflieg decided that the choice between the Pfalz D.VII and D.VIII for production would be determined by static load tests. The D.VIII was chosen because its twin-bay wing was stronger and better able to withstand violent combat maneuvers. Due to the scarcity of Siemens-Halske Sh.III engines, Pfalz was given a contract for only 120 Pfalz D.VIII fighters, serialed 100/18 to 219/18.
   The D.VIII finally reached the front in small numbers in April 1918 but these were not immediately released for combat, possibly due to engine problems. In June the first D.VIII fighters finally appeared in the frontline inventory, a few being sent to Jasta Boelcke, Jasta 29, and Jasta 56. Since no details are available of the D.VIII's combat record, evaluation of the type is based on its performance compared to other known types. It was regarded by combat pilots during the Second Fighter Competition (May 27 to July 28, 1918) as equal to the SSW D.IV in speed and climb, but inferior to the SSW D.IV in maneuverability. The pilots therefore recommended that the Pfalz be assigned to Rests (Kampfeinsitzer Staffeln - home defense flights) for interceptor duty, where its speed and superior climb were especially useful, and some were used that way. Development of the single-bay D.VII continued because any reduction in weight and drag would provide a welcome performance improvement. The D.VII was eventually placed into production, as 15 were found stored by the Germans after the war.


Pfalz D.VII Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III
145 hp Oberursel Ur.III 200 hp Goebel Goe.III
Data for Sh.III production version:
Wing: Span Upper 7.52 m
Span Lower 6.98 m
Chord Upper 1.30 m
Chord Lower 1.30 m
Gap 1.45 m
Stagger 0.25 m
Area 17.12 sq m
General: Length 5.65 m
Height 2.85 m
Empty Weight 520 kg
Loaded Weight 715 kg
Maximum Speed: 190 kmh
Climb: 1000m 1.8 min
2000m 4.0 min
3000m 6.6 min
4000m 9.8 min
5000m 13.8 min
6000m 21.3 min


Pfalz D.VIII Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III
145 hp Oberursel Ur.III 200 hp Goebel Goe.III
Data for Sh.III production version:
Wing: Span Upper 7.52 m
Span Lower 6.98 m
Chord Upper 1.30 m
Chord Lower 1.30 m
Gap 1.45 m
Stagger 0.25 m
Area 17.12 sq m
General: Length 5.65 m
Height 2.85 m
Empty Weight 542 kg
Loaded Weight 767 kg
Maximum Speed: 180 kmh
Climb: 1000m 1.5 min
2000m 3.5 min
3000m 5.8 min
4000m 8.4 min
5000m 11.1 min


Pfalz D.VIII Production Orders
Order Date Quantity Serial Numbers
February 1918 120 D.100-219/18