O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
L.V.G. D II (D 12)
Built at the end of 1916, this single-seat fighter with monocoque-type fuselage and vee interplane strut arrangement was the second in a series of experimental D types. There was no L.V.G. D I as such, the designation being allocated to the Albatros D II, which was licence-built by L.V.G. The L.V.G. D II was fitted with 160 h.p. Mercedes D III. No other data.
L.V.G. D III
In this 1917 experimental single-seat fighter an attempt at semi-rigid bracing was made in that the landing wires were replaced by struts, although flying wires remained. The gap-filling fuselage of the two previous types was abandoned, although the plywood covering and monocoque-type construction was retained. Wings were of conventional type, with fabric covering, but of considerable span for a single-seater. The lower tips were rounded, the upper tips slightly raked and with horn-balanced ailerons. Engine, 190h.p. N.A.G. III. Span, 10.0 m. (32 ft. 9 3/4 in.). Length, 7.53 m. (24 ft. 8 1/2 in.). Height, 2.92 m. (9 ft. 7 in.). Area, 26.2 sq.m. (283 sq.ft.) Weights: Empty, 816 kg. (1,795 lb.). Loaded, 1,071 kg. (2,356 lb.). Speed, 175 km.hr. (109.375 m.p.h.). Climb, 5,000 m. (16,400 ft.) in 25 min. Duration, 2 hr. Armament, twin Spandau machine-guns. Official type test May-June 1917.
W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters
LVG D 12 (D II) Germany
At the end of 1916, the LVG produced the prototype of an elegant and more orthodox single-seat fighter biplane, the D 12, also known as the D II (the LVG D I being the licence-built Albatros D II). An unequal-span single-bay biplane with an Albatros-style wooden semi-monocoque fuselage which filled the gap between the wings, the D 12 was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D III engine and allegedly attained 124 mph (200 km/h) during the course of prototype trials. After suffering accidental damage the type was not further developed. No data relating to the D 12 are available.
LVG D III Germany
Retaining the plywood-covering and semi-monocoque type construction of the D 10 and D 12, the LVG D III made its appearance in the summer of 1917. It was a competitor of the very successful Albatros D III and differed in virtually every respect from its predecessors. The gap-filling fuselage configuration was discarded and an attempt was made to utilise semi-rigid bracing in that the landing wires were replaced by struts, although flying wires were retained. The D III was powered by a 185 hp NAG C III six-cylinder inline engine and carried an armament of two LMG 08/15 machine guns. Official type testing was completed on 2 June 1917, but the D III was adjudged too heavy and too large, and was therefore discounted as a potential production aircraft.
Max speed, 109 mph (175 km/h).
Time to 3,280 ft (1000 m), 3.0 min.
Empty weight, 1,704 lb (773 kg).
Loaded weight 2,266 lb (1 028 kg).
Span, 32 ft 9 3/4 in (10,00 m).
Length, 24 ft 8 1/2 in (7,53 m).
Height, 9 ft 7 in (2,92 m).
Wing area, 282.02 sq ft (26,20 m2).
