AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

Zeppelin D.I(Do)


The Zeppelin D.I was probably the most advanced aircraft of the First World War as it was the first to use stressed skin as a structural member and needed no internal or external bracing. Another points of interest are the fuel tank located below the fuselage which could be dropped in the event of fire. The first to fly was 1752/18 on 4 JUne 1918. 1751/18 (Ersatz) was built to replace the original 1751 which was destroyed prior to acceptance and it participated in the Third Fighter Competition held between October 10th and November 4th 1918.
In WWI the Dornier D.I was known as the Zeppelin D.I, Zeppelin-Lindau D.I or Zeppelin D.I (Do). In the postwars years it has become known as the Dornier D.I while dropping the original Zeppelin name
Finish was natural metal with naval lozenge on the rear portions of the wings and tailplane

 


Dornier D.I 1752/18
-
June 1918
Source: Herris: Fighter Competitions

 

 


Dornier D.I 1751/18 (Ersatz)
Third Fighter Competition
October 1918
Source: Herris: Fighter Competitions