J.Herris DFW Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 29)

DFW Mars-Buchner

   Designed by Buchner, the 1912 DFW Mars-Buchner was a streamlined, innovative design for the time. The upper wing was supported by cabane struts and bracing wires from struts above the wing. The wing cellule was connected by bracing wires; there were no interplane struts to connect the wings.
   The Mars-Buchner was powered by a 100 hp Argus engine and had a sturdy, four-wheel undercarriage. The tailplane was well streamlined although the rudder, which extended above and below the fuselage, had a somewhat primitive look. Unlike later DFW Mars biplanes, the Mars-Buchner wings had nearly straight leading edges instead of swept-back wings. The wingspan was 15 meters and the empty weight was 540 kg.
   Although the Mars-Buchner was an elegant, streamlined aircraft, the later Mars biplanes that saw service were much more robust if less elegant. Only one Mars-Buchner was built.