DFW Mars

The DFW Mars was an early German military utility aircraft built in 1913 and was the first original design manufactured by DFW. The aircraft was produced in both monoplane and biplane versions, which shared a common fuselage and empennage. The monoplane version featured wings that were wire-braced to a kingpost on the forward fuselage, and was powered by a 71 kW (90 hp) NAG engine. Examples of the monoplane built as dedicated trainer aircraft also incorporated a reinforcing truss beneath the wings. The biplane had conventional three-bay wings of unequal span and was powered by a 75 kW (100 hp) Mercedes engine. The wings of both the monoplane and biplane versions featured prominent sweepback.

Mars
DFW Mars during military trials in 1913
Role Military utility aircraft
Manufacturer DFW
First flight 1913

Mars aircraft distinguished themselves in pre-war passenger-carrying feats and reliability trials, and were purchased by both the German military and the British Admiralty, which purchased an example for the RNAS. Turkish Mars aircraft were flown in the First and Second Balkan Wars in 1912-1913 and the type is therefore believed to be the first German-built aircraft to have seen active military service.

Specifications (biplane)

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two, pilot and observer or instructor
  • Length: 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 17.07 m (56 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 48.3 m2 (520 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 660 kg (1,460 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.I 6-cylinder in-line water-cooled piston engine , 75 kW (100 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 1.5 m/s (300 ft/min)

References

    Bibliography
    • Herris, Jack (2017). DFW Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 29. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-54-4.
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