W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

LFG ROLAND D XVI Germany

   Two versions of the D XVI parasol monoplane fighter - initially designated E I - were completed in September-October 1918, one powered by a 160 hp Goebel Goe III rotary and the other by a similarly-rated Siemens-Halske Sh III rotary. The D XVI had a fully-cantilevered fabric-covered parasol wing and a slab-sided plywood-covered fuselage, armament comprising twin synchronised 7,9-mm LMG 08/15 machine guns. Although the 3rd D-type contest was officially restricted to types powered by the BMW engine, Idflieg permitted participation of the Sh III-engined D XVI as it was considered "an interesting type". The D XVI proved faster than the Siemens-Schuckert D IV and Fokker D VII up to an altitude of 13,125 ft (4 000 m), but was slower above that height.

Span 31 ft 0 1/2 in (9,46 m).
Length, 19 ft 4 in (5,90 m).

J.Herris Roland Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 9)

Roland D.XVI

   Two Roland D.XVI prototypes were completed in September-October 1918. A parasol monoplane originally designated E.I before Idflieg stopped using the 'E' category for monoplane fighters, armament was the standard two synchronized LMG 08/15 machine guns. One prototype D.XVI was powered by an experimental 160 hp Goebel Goe.III rotary and the other was powered by a production 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III.
   The D.XVI had a fully-cantilevered, fabric-covered wing and a plywood fuselage. Although the Third Fighter Competition in October 1918 was officially restricted to fighters powered by the water-cooled 185 hp BMW.IIIa, other fighters were allowed on the basis that they were "interesting types" and the D.XVI was one of these. The D.XVI was faster than the SSW D.IV and Fokker D.VII up to 4,000 meters, but was slower above that altitude.

Roland D.XVI Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III or
160 hp Goebel Goe.III
Wing: Span 9.46 m
General: Length 5.90 m