Pfalz D.XII

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Pfalz D.XII

The Pfalz D.XII is a German fighter built by Pfalz Flugzeugwerke and designed by Rudolph Gehringer as a successor to the Pfalz D.III. It used SPAD S.VII–style wings and the Wickelrumpf plywood-skinned monocoque fuselage from earlier Pfalz designs. Powered by a 180 hp Mercedes D.IIIaü engine, it had two-bay wings and a car-style radiator mounted in front of the engine.

The prototype first flew in March 1918. Idflieg ordered 50 aircraft and Pfalz entered several D.XII prototypes in the second fighter competition at Adlershof in May–June 1918. Despite mixed opinions, Ernst Udet and Hans Weiss favored the D.XII, and Pfalz received substantial production orders. The D.XII passed its official type test on 19 June 1918, but radiator problems with vertical tubes delayed deliveries until June. The first 200 production aircraft had rectangular fins and rudders; later planes used a larger, rounded rudder.

The D.XII began reaching Bavarian units in July 1918. Most units used a mix of fighters, but some quieter front lines operated D.XII planes alone. The D.XII was an improvement over older Pfalz models but pilots still preferred the faster and more maneuverable Fokker D.VII. One commander, Leutnant Rudolf Stark, noted that the Pfalz could dive quickly but was heavy and less responsive in turns compared to the Fokker.

In flight, the D.XII kept good dive performance thanks to its wing design, but it tended to stall and spin, required a long takeoff run, had heavy controls, and weak landing gear. Ground crews disliked the two-bay, wire-braced wings. Allied pilots who captured D.XIIs viewed them unfavorably as well.

Between 750 and 800 D.XII fighters were built, with about 175 surrendered to the Allies; some were sent to the United States and Canada for testing. Pfalz also explored SPAD-wing prototypes and Windhoff radiators, and considered a variant with a BMW IIIa engine. The Pfalz D.XIV, using the same fuselage and wings but a heavier Benz engine, saw limited testing and production but did not enter active service.