1917 Fokker Dr 1 replica

Almost as soon as the Dr.1 appeared in the skies of Europe, it was being replaced by newer designs, including Fokker’s more traditional biplane, the D.VII. Faster and easier to fly than the Dr.1, over 1,000 D.VIIs were built in the closing months of the war. By comparison, only 320 versions of the triplane were built, and none survive today.

This replica of the Fokker Dr.1 was built in the 1970s by Ken Cianchette, one of the museum’s founding trustees. While the aircraft dimensions are true to the original design, the engine is different. Instead of the 110 hp rotary engine, Cianchette used a 165 hp radial engine, which makes the replica easier to fly and maintain than an original Dr.1.