The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (triplane) was a World War I fighter aircraft built by the company of Anthony Fokker, and designed by Reinhold Platz. It became most famous as the plane of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.

In April 1917, the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) introduced the Sopwith Triplane. Their debut was sensational and they swiftly proved to be superior to the Albatros and Halberstadt scouts then in use by the German Air Service. Soon the German pilots were clamouring for a triplane of their own. The majority of the German aircraft manufacturers, including Pfalz, AEG, DFW, Schütte-Lanz, and Euler, responded with new triplane designs. Most displayed little promise, though limited production of the Pfalz Dr. I was undertaken.

Fokker responded with the V.3, a small rotary-powered triplane with a tubular steel frame fuselage and thick cantilever wings. Fokker found several deficiencies in the V.3, particularly regarding control forces. Instead of submitting the V.3 for a type test, Fokker produced a revised prototype designated V.4. The most notable changes were horn-balanced ailerons and elevators, as well as wings of increased span. The V.4 also featured interplane struts, which were not necessary from a structural standpoint, but which had the effect of minimizing wing flexing. The V.4 proved highly manueverable and much superior to the triplane prototypes submitted by other manufacturers. The rudder and elevator controls were powerful and light. Rapid turns were facilitated by the triplane's directional instability. The ailerons were also light, but not very effective.

After a type test, an immediate production order ensued. The V.4 prototype was intentionally destroyed in static structural tests. The two pre-production examples, designated F.I, were delivered in the middle of August 1917. These were the only machines to receive the F.I designation. Delivery of production machines, designated Dr.I, commenced in October of that year.

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a German Fokker Dr.1 triplane fighter that was piloted by Leutnant Johannes Janzen, who was attached to Jasta 6 during March 1918. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 6-inches
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches

Release Date: September 2009

Historical Account: "Aerial Assault" - Johannes Janzen transferred to the German Air Force on May 4th, 1916. After training with FEA 3 and Kasta 12, he was assigned to Jasta 23 on November 28th, 1916. He scored his first victory with this unit before being reassigned to Jasta 6 on October 16th, 1917. After scoring 3 more victories, he assumed command of Jasta 4 on March 28th, 1918. A week later, he returned to Jasta 6 as the new CO, replacing Wilhelm Reinhard who was given command of JG I. Scoring his 5th victory on May 4th, 1918, Janzen's Fokker DR.I was shot down five days later by a member of 209 Squadron. He survived the crash and scored 8 more victories before he was shot down again on June 9th, 1918. On this occasion, the interrupter gear on his triplane malfunctioned during a dogfight with a SPAD and he shot off his own propellor. Janzen was captured and remained a prisoner until the end of the war.