O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Pfalz D VI
   There is no record of a D V, and the next Pfalz single-seater to appear was the extremely elegant D VI of 1917. It featured wrapped plywood fuselage technique, as handed down through the L.F.G. D II and Pfalz D III production series, the struts and wing arrangement being reminiscent of the D III also. The D VI participated in the first D types Competition at Adlershof, and when flown by Baierlein on 5th February 1918 achieved the performance figures specified below. Engine, 110 h.p. Oberursel U II. Span, 7.08m. (23 ft. 2 3/4 in.). Area, 13.3 sq.m.(149 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty. 400 kg. (880 lb.). Loaded, 606 kg. (1,334 lb.). Climb, 5,000 m. (16,400 ft.) in 25 min. Service ceiling, 5,600 m. (18,368 ft.).

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

PFALZ D IV Germany

   No details of the D IV single-seat single-bay biplane fighter are available apart from the fact that it was powered by a 110 hp Oberursel U II rotary engine and was built in parallel with the D VI (there being no record of a D V). The D IV is believed to have been flown early in 1917.
  


PFALZ D VI Germany

   Submitted for inclusion in the first D-type Competition at Adlershof in January 1918 (together with the D VII and D VIII), the D VI was an elegant single-bay biplane in which careful attention had been paid to aerodynamic cleanliness. Flown early in 1917, and employing the semi-monocoque wrapped plywood fuselage construction of the D III, the D VI was powered by a 110 hp Oberursel U II rotary. Armament comprised the standard twin LMG 08/15 arrangement and acceptance testing was completed satisfactorily in September 1917, but a comparatively poor rate of climb seems to have militated against a production order.

Time to 16,405 ft (5 000 m), 24 min.
Empty weight, 882 lb (400 kg).
Loaded weight, 1,336 lb (606 kg).
Span, 23 ft 2 3/4 in (7,08 m).
Wing area, 143.16 sqft (13,30 m2).

J.Herris Pfalz Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 5)

Pfalz D.VI

   The Pfalz D.VI was an entirely new design powered by a 110 hp Oberursel Ur.II rotary engine. The D.VI was an elegant biplane clearly influenced by the Nieuport configuration. However, like the Pfalz D.III, the D.VI had a two-spar lower wing, eliminating the Nieuport's aeroelastic (flutter) problems. The D.VI appeared in January 1917, well before the D.III, and was provisionally approved for service after type testing in September 1917. However, it was not immediately placed in production, possibly due to its use of a rotary engine, for which Germany had only a limited supply of lubricants. Moreover, when competing at the First Fighter Competition at Adlershof in February 1918, the Pfalz D.VII, powered by the more powerful 160 hp Siemens-Halske Sh.III counter-rotary engine, was faster and the D.VI was eliminated from contention.

Pfalz D.VI Specifications
Engine: 110 hp Oberursel Ur.II
Wing: Span Upper 7.08 m
Span Lower 6.30 m
Chord Upper 1.30 m
Chord Lower 1.00 m
Area 13.3 sq m
General: Empty Weight 416 kg
Loaded Weight 606 kg
Climb: 5000m 16 min
6000m 25 min