The D.VIII was designed by Reinhold Platz, chief engineer for Anthony Fokker, and entered service with the German air force in July 1918, near the end of the First World War. Approximately 300 were built. It was a rare example of a parasol-wing monoplane fighter for its era, a sophisticated design that emphasized survivability and firepower, including synchronized machine guns timed to fire between the spinning propeller blades. The D.VIII became known as the last great German fighter of the war.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
Wood and fabric-covered parasol-wing monoplane with a steel-tube fuselage, fixed landing gear, and a single rotary engine driving a wooden propeller.
Crew: 1
Length: approximately 19 ft 3 in
Wingspan: approximately 27 ft 5 in
Powerplant (original design): One Oberursel UR.II rotary engine, 110 horsepower
Maximum speed (original design): approximately 127 mph
Service ceiling (original design): approximately 19,700 ft
Weapons
Armament (original design): Two synchronized 7.92 mm machine guns mounted to fire forward through the propeller arc.
The replica on display is unarmed.
Key Accomplishments
The type is credited with recording the last confirmed aerial victory of World War I, making it part of the closing chapter of military aviation’s first major conflict.
Despite entering service only months before the war’s end, the D.VIII’s advanced monoplane design influenced fighter aircraft development in the years that followed.
Build Date
Replica built and donated in 2006; original type entered service in 1918
Manufacturer
Replica built by Ron Mulvaney; original aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke
Dates of Service
Not applicable (replica); original type served July–November 1918
Country of Origin
Germany (original type); replica built in the United States
Inventory Number
Not applicable (replica; no military inventory number)
Credit
Owned by the Museum; donated by builder Ron Mulvaney.
Display Status
This aircraft is a flying 7/8-scale replica of an original Fokker D.VIII, built by Ron Mulvaney with the intention of flying it. Ground tests revealed control difficulties that ended any attempt to fly the aircraft. Mr. Mulvaney donated it to the Museum in 2006, and it has been on permanent display since 2008.
Status: On display.
More from Our Collection
Single-engine, all weather day/night carrier-based jet fighter
