Was the Albatros W.4 a floatplane version of the D.I?

Short answer

Not quite: the W.4 derived from the Albatros D.I landplane fighter and used its fuselage as a starting point, but it received a new wing and tail of greater span and ended up considerably larger, with the design substantially reworked in several areas. A total of 118 aircraft were built, three of them prototypes, between June 1916 and December 1917.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Was the Albatros W.4 a floatplane version of the D.I?

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A derivative of the D.I, not a floatplane D.I

The W.4 was a derivative of the Albatros D.I landplane fighter. The D.I's fuselage was used as a basis, but the design was substantially reworked in some areas and the resulting aircraft was considerably larger than its landplane predecessor. It received a new wing and tail section, with greater span than the D.I's, and lengthened and reinforced steel center-section struts.

Why a floatplane fighter

A new single-seat floatplane fighter was sought to counter the growing use of flying boats and seaplanes by the Allied powers, particularly Great Britain.

Armament and production

The early production W.4s were armed with a single 7.92 mm (.312 in) lMG08 machine gun, while later-built aircraft carried two. A total of 118 aircraft were built, including three prototypes, between June 1916 and December 1917.