11/30/2010. The D.IV single-seat fighter triplane of mid-1917 marked a noteworthy departure from previous LFG (Luft-Fahrzeuggesellschaft) structural methods in that the Wickelrumpf (wrapped fuselage) that had characterized all previous aircraft gave place to the so-called Klinkerrumpf – clinker-built or lap strake construction utilizing the planking methods commonly employed in the construction of small boat hulls. Strips of spruce overlapped one another by some two-thirds over a light framework of stringers and formers. This method of construction was less time-consuming than the Wickel-rumpf and comparably robust.

The D.IV – later to be re-designated Dr.I when the "Dr" prefix was adopted for Dreideckers (triplanes) – was powered by an 160 hp Mercedes D III liquid-cooled engine and carried the usual armament of twin synchronized 0.311 in (7.9 mm) LMG 08/15 machine guns. A single prototype was ordered by the Idflieg for evaluation, but this crashed at the end of September 1917. It was promptly rebuilt utilizing a D.VI fuselage, but subsequent testing revealed no particularly outstanding characteristics and further development was discontinued.

Span: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
Length: 24 ft 4 in (7.32 m)
Weight empty: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
Loaded weight: 2,665 lb (1,208 kg)
Max speed: 96 mph (155 kmh)
Service ceiling: 19,685 ft (6,000 m)