"The important thing in aeroplanes is that they shall be speedy."
- Baron Manfred Von Richthofen

The Junkers D.I (factory designation J 9) was a monoplane fighter aircraft produced in Germany late in World War I, significant for becoming the first all-metal fighter to enter service. The prototype, a private venture by Junkers designated the J 7, first flew on September 17th, 1917, going through nearly a half-dozen detail changes in its design during its tests. When it was demonstrated to the Idflieg early the following year it proved impressive enough to result in an order for three additional aircraft for trials. However, the changes made by Junkers were significant enough for the firm to redesignate the next example the J 9, which was supplied to the Idflieg instead of the three J 7s ordered.

During tests, the J 9 lacked the maneuverability necessary for a front-line fighter, but was judged fit for a naval fighter, and a batch of 12 was ordered. These were supplied to a naval unit by September 1918, which then redeployed to the Eastern Front after the Armistice.

The C.II was powered by a single 160 hp (120 kW) Mercedes D III, providing a top speed of 165 km/h (103 mph), a ceiling of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) and an endurance of four hours.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Junkers D.I monoplane fighter. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Wingspan: 5-3/4-inches

Release Date: January 2017

Historical Account: "Monoplanes" - During the Second Fighter Competition in July 1918, Junkers entered into competition not only its new J.7 fighter design, but also the new J.9 (D I), with many modifications to the overall design: the shape of the fuselage was changed, the wing span was increased, and the ailerons also were of changed form. The greatest pilots participated in these Competitions, and their observations about the metal machines did appear disapproving-Bruno Loerzer and Hermann Goering recommended it strictly as "an airplane for struggle with balloons and airships". This low-wing monoplane, an unusual design for the time, naturally had a limited view downwards from the cockpit, and this also has resulted in disapproval from the pilots. Nevertheless the Idflieg ordered a series of 40 aircraft, but by the end of the war the Junkers firm had built only 15 machines (12 by February 1919, when all military production was stopped by order of the Allies). The affiliated company, Junkers-Fokker, constructed 13 machines of the D I type. The first aircraft had long fuselages (later ones were to the shorter design). In the beginning of October 1918 these machines were sent to the Flanders sector, but the war approached its end and the Junkers D I was not in time to take much part in the fighting. In conditions of autumn rain Junkers' aircraft had essential advantages over wood and linen types-metal machines were not subject to the whims of the weather, while the canvas and wood of other machines deteriorated all too quickly.