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

L.F.G. Roland D IV
   Built in 1917, this elegant triplane was the first L.F.G. single-seater to feature the clinker-built fuselage which is described in the main text under L.F.G. D VIb. All control surfaces were unbalanced, and ailerons were fitted to both upper and lower wings. The tailplane was adjustable for incidence, but not during flight. Engine, 160 h.p. Mercedes D III.

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

LFG ROLAND D IV (DR I) Germany

   The DIV single-seat fighter triplane of mid-1917 marked a noteworthy departure from previous LFG structural methods in that the Wickelrumpf that had characterised all previous aircraft gave place to the so-called Klinkerrumpf - clinker-built or lapstrake construction utilising the planking methods commonly employed in the construction of small boat hulls. Strips of spruce overlapped one another by some two-thirds over a light framework of stringers and formers. This method of construction was less time-consuming than the Wickelrumpf and comparably robust. The D IV - later to be redesignated Dr I when the "Dr” prefix was adopted for triplanes - was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D III water-cooled engine and carried the usual armament of twin synchronised 7,9-mm LMG 08/15 machine guns. A single prototype was ordered by the Idflieg for evaluation, but this crashed at the end of September 1917. It was promptly rebuilt utilising a D VI fuselage, but subsequent testing revealed no particularly outstanding characteristics and further development was discontinued.

Max speed, 96 mph (155 km/h).
Service ceiling, 19,685 ft (6 000 m).
Empty weight, 2,050 lb (930 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,665 lb (1208 kg).
Span, 31ft 0 in (9,45 m).
Length, 24 ft 0 in (7,32 m).

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

LFG Roland D.IV / Dr.I

   Originally designated the D.IV, Roland's only triplane fighter was re-designated the Dr.I when Idflieg promulgated the 'Dr' class designation for Dreidecker (triplane). This was the first Roland fighter to use the Klinkerrumpf fuselage construction (clinker-built or lapstrake like a boat hull). Power was the 160 hp Mercedes D.III and armament was to be the standard two synchronized guns. The prototype crashed at the end of September 1917 and was rebuilt using a Roland D.VI fuselage, but further testing led to the design being abandoned.

  
Roland D.IV / Dr.I Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Mercedes D.III
Wing: Span 9.45 m
General: Length 7.32 m
Empty Weight 930 kg
Loaded Weight 1208 kg
Maximum Speed: 155 km/h
Service Ceiling: 6,000m