O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
L.V.G. D III
In this 1917 experimental single-seat fighter an attempt at semi-rigid bracing was made in that the landing wires were replaced by struts, although flying wires remained. The gap-filling fuselage of the two previous types was abandoned, although the plywood covering and monocoque-type construction was retained. Wings were of conventional type, with fabric covering, but of considerable span for a single-seater. The lower tips were rounded, the upper tips slightly raked and with horn-balanced ailerons. Engine, 190h.p. N.A.G. III. Span, 10.0 m. (32 ft. 9 3/4 in.). Length, 7.53 m. (24 ft. 8 1/2 in.). Height, 2.92 m. (9 ft. 7 in.). Area, 26.2 sq.m. (283 sq.ft.) Weights: Empty, 816 kg. (1,795 lb.). Loaded, 1,071 kg. (2,356 lb.). Speed, 175 km.hr. (109.375 m.p.h.). Climb, 5,000 m. (16,400 ft.) in 25 min. Duration, 2 hr. Armament, twin Spandau machine-guns. Official type test May-June 1917.
W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters
LVG D III Germany
Retaining the plywood-covering and semi-monocoque type construction of the D 10 and D 12, the LVG D III made its appearance in the summer of 1917. It was a competitor of the very successful Albatros D III and differed in virtually every respect from its predecessors. The gap-filling fuselage configuration was discarded and an attempt was made to utilise semi-rigid bracing in that the landing wires were replaced by struts, although flying wires were retained. The D III was powered by a 185 hp NAG C III six-cylinder inline engine and carried an armament of two LMG 08/15 machine guns. Official type testing was completed on 2 June 1917, but the D III was adjudged too heavy and too large, and was therefore discounted as a potential production aircraft.
Max speed, 109 mph (175 km/h).
Time to 3,280 ft (1000 m), 3.0 min.
Empty weight, 1,704 lb (773 kg).
Loaded weight 2,266 lb (1 028 kg).
Span, 32 ft 9 3/4 in (10,00 m).
Length, 24 ft 8 1/2 in (7,53 m).
Height, 9 ft 7 in (2,92 m).
Wing area, 282.02 sq ft (26,20 m2).
J.Herris LVG Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Types C.VI-C.XI & Fighters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 36)
LVG D.III
The next single-seat fighter from LVG retained the structural technology of its predecessors - plywood covered, semi-monocoque fuselage - but eliminated the tall, gap-filling fuselage for a more conventional design. The landing wires were replaced by struts although the D.III used flying wires. The D.III differed from its predecessors in other ways, including its use of a 185 hp NAG C III engine instead of a Mercedes engine and fitting of two LMG 08/15 machine guns, which appear to have not been installed in the previous single-seat fighter prototypes.
The D.III type test was completed on 2 June 1917, about the time the Albatros D.V first arrived at the front. However, Idflieg considered the LVG D.III to be too large and heavy and therefore no production was undertaken. The LVG D.III weighed 773 kg empty compared to 717 kg for the Albatros D.V, and had a wingspan of 10.0 m compared to 9.0 m for the Albatros D.V, so there was some basis for Idflieg’s decision. Unfortunately, it is not known if there was any side-by-side flight comparison of the LVG D.III with the Albatros as one might expect. If there was such a comparison, the results have been lost.
LVG Fighter Specifications
LVG D 10 LVG D.II LVG D.III LVG D.IV LVG D.V LVG D.VI
Engine 120 hp Mercedes D.II 160 hp Mercedes D.III 185 hp NAG C.III 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb
Span, Upper - - 10.00 m 8.50 m - -
Wing Area - - 26.20 m2 18.06 m2 - -
Length - - 7.53 m 6.28 m - -
Empty Weight - - 773 kg 680 kg - -
Loaded Weight - - 1,028 kg 935 kg - -
Max. Speed - - 175 km/h - - -
Climb 5000 m - - 25 minutes 28 minutes - -
