Fokker Dr.I Triplane

By Paul Leaman
Classic Publications, 2003
ISBN 1-903223-28-8
Softbound, 224 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $54.95

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

Few aircraft are as recognizable as the Fokker Dr.I Triplane. Immortalized by Manfred Richthofen, the Dr.I achieved a presence far in excess of its numbers. Paul Leaman's book on Fokker's triplane is the latest in print on this famous aircraft, and its presentation is quite impressive. Roughly 250 photos, plus drawings, maps, and color profiles accents the text. Leaman provides a fairly complete history of Fokker's aircraft leading up to the triplane.

In addition to this initial background, the book covers the construction of the Dr.I in detail, including drawings of internal structures. Following the construction, logically, is a section on factory finishes that includes unit and individual markings. Coupled with the sections on triplane deployment and that on the Jasta aircraft, a good overview of just what the Fokkers looked like results. A total of eleven appendices are included, covering the chronology, serial numbers, armament, and Richthofen's victories while flying the type, and technical data, among other information.

Throughout the book are many outstanding photos of both prototypes and active service aircraft. This alone makes this book worth the price, as the photos are well printed and clear. Unfortunately this is also one area that has problems, according to Alex Imrie. In the last issue of Windsock Imrie provides a long list of caption corrections and mentions a general editing problem throughout the text. With his list of corrections, though, this book becomes a very useful reference on the Fokker Dr.I.

While much has been written on the Fokker Triplane, this book is a welcome addition due to the large number of photos and good drawings spread throughout the pages. Coupled with the nice color profiles and backed up by Imrie's caption corrections, this will be a great reference on this famous type.

My thanks to Specialty Press for the review sample. Visit their website for this title and other Classic Publications books.