01/31/2011. The only fighter produced by the Albatros Werke GmbH at Johannisthal near Berlin to be powered by a rotary engine was designed by Dipl.-Ing. Robert Thelen. Powered by an 160 hp Siemens & Halske Sh.III, the Albatros D.XI presented a departure from customary wire braced Albatros designs by using struts instead.

Two prototypes (s/n 2208/18 and 2209/18) were ordered by the Idflieg (German Flying Inspectorate), construction of the latter was completed in March 1918, but engine supply problems delayed the first flight till May 1918. 2209/18 participated in the Second Fighter Competition in June 1918, showing average performance, but crashed and was destroyed upon landing. This, and the priority given to other aircraft using the Sh.III engine, contributed to Idflieg eliminating the D.XI from production consideration.

Albatros continued development work, and the second prototype, 2208/18, which had larger ailerons, a four bladed prop and a shorter undercarriage, participated in the Third Fighter Competition. Even with these modifications, the control response was too docile, and again the D.XI was not selected for production. 2208/18 was destroyed by the allies in early 1920.