Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke GmBH was established at Today a new link in the form of a replica is resident at
Speyer-am-Rhein in 1913 by the Everbusch brothers. Omaka near Blenheim. One of two produced for the
The company initially license built aircraft (such as the movie 'The Blue Max' in 1965, this example (c/n PT16 ex
Morane Saulnier Type H and Type L). During the early EI-ARD, G-ATIJ, N905AC) was built by Viv Bellamy of
part of World War One the company was involved in the Hampshire Aero Club in England from drawings by
manufacturing the Moranes (under the A.I and E.I Ray Hillborne. The aircraft was presented in a spurious
designations) and later L.F.G. Roland designs. In the seven colour lozenge paint scheme for the filming. After
middle of 1917 the company produced a single seat spending some time in Ireland, the aircraft was later sold
fighter of its own design, although the construction to Frank Ryder and operated from the a museum in
methods reflected experience with building L.F.G. Alabama. In the mid-1980's many of the 'Blue Max'
Roland D.I and D.II fighters. aircraft were purchased by the 'Fighting Air Command'
and moved to Hartlee Field near Denton, Tx. At that time
The Pfalz D.III was a single seat unequal span
the aircraft was was presented in a black fuselage and
biplane powered by a 160hp Mercedes D.III inline
purple wings and was no longer airworthy. The aircraft
engine. The new fighter entered service in September
was acquired by film director Peter Jackson and
1917 and has been described as under-rated given its
imported into New Zealand in September 1999. The
performance, good visibility and manouverability. It has
aircraft has been undergoing restoration work by Stuart
been suggested by some authors that it fell victim to the
Tantrum at Omaka. It was a static display at the Classic
propaganda of its competition at Fokker and Albatros. It
Fighters Air Show during Easter 2001 (back in its movie
does appear to have had support however from pilots like
colours), and is expected to be returned to airworthiness
von Richthofen, and was used by several 'aces' including
in the near future.
Rudolph Berthold and Franz Freidrichs. In early 1918
the D.IIIa development introduced the 180hp Mercedes
D.IIIa engine. A further development mounting a third
Country: Germany
reduced chord wing between the existing planes was not
Manufacturer: Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke GmbH
proceeded with. Production is known to have exceeded
Type: Fighter
600 aircraft and an estimated 350 were still in service at
First Introduced: 1917
the armistice. A genuine example survives in the
Number Built: More than 1,000
Australian War memorial Museum.
Engine(s): Mercedes D.III, 6 cylinder, liquid cooled
inline, 160 hp
New Zealand's link to the type begins with the WWI
Wing
pilots who served in France. New Zealand's top scoring
Span: 30 ft 10 in [9.4 m]
'Ace of WWI. Mjr Keith Caldwell accounted for five
Length: 22 ft 9¾ in [6.95 m]
Pfalzs between May and July 1918. Capt Herbert
Height: 8 ft 9 in [2.67 m]
Watson, who served with 4 Squadron Australian Flying
Empty
Corps flying Sopwith Camels, is recorded as also having
Weight: Gross Weight: 2,056 lb [933 kg]
destroyed five of the type in the same period. Capt
Max Speed: 102.5 mph [165 km/h]
Harold Beamish destroyed a Pfalz north of La Basee
Ceiling: 16,995 ft [5,180 m]
while with 203 Sqn on May 16, 1918. Mjr (later Air
Endurance: 2½ hours
Chief Marshall Sir) Keith Park of 48 Sqn put one down
out of control near Bray two days later. SE5a pilot Capt Crew: 1 Armament: 2 Spandau 7.92 mm machine guns
Malcolm 'Mac' McGregor of 85 Sqn recorded another
two downed out of control on June 1, 1918.
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