COUNTRY: Germany
MANUFRACTURER: Fokker Flugzeug-Werke GmbH
Albatros-Werke Johannisthal,
Ostdeutsche Albatros-Werke Schneidemuhl (OAW)
TYPE: Fighter
ENTERED SERVICE: Late March or early April 1918
NUMBER BUILT: Approx. 2,694

The Fokker D.VII is widely regarded as the best German aircraft of the war. Manfred von Richthofen championed its development and in January 1918, he tested the D.VII in the trials at Adlershof. Killed just days before it entered service, Richthofen never had the opportunity to fly it in combat.

The D.VII could out climb any Allied opponent in combat. Highly maneuverable at all speeds and altitudes, it proved to be more than a match for any of the British or French fighter planes of 1918. Hermann Göring was one of the first pilots to fly the D.VII in combat.

COUNTRY: United States of America
MANUFRACTURER: Packard Motor Car Company
TYPE: Fighter
NUMBER BUILT: 27

Designed by Captain G. Le Père of the French Air Service in 1918, the Packard Le Père-Lusac II was the first escort fighter developed by the United States during World War I. Equipped with two machine guns; the sturdy two-seater was fast, maneuverable and had an excellent rate of climb. During air trials in September 1918, its performance was so impressive 4,500 planes were ordered from the manufacturer. By the time of the Armistice, only 27 planes had been built.

COUNTRY: Great Britain
MANUFACTURER: Sopwith Aviation Company
TYPE: Fighter
ENTERED SERVICE: May 1917
NUMBER BUILT: 5,734

The Sopwith F.1 Camel, an agile, highly maneuverable biplane, was credited with more aerial victories than any other Allied aircraft during World War I; destroying 1,294 enemy aircraft.

It was called the Camel due to the humped fairing over its twin machine guns. The centre of gravity was quite far forward, which along with its small wingspan caused it to flip into a spin very easily at low speeds (most often during take-off or landing). Many pilots feared its vicious spin tendencies and almost 400 pilots died in non-combat related situations while flying the Camel—most of them trainee pilots. In the hands of an experienced pilot, the Camel could out maneuver any contemporary plane, with the possible exception of the Fokker D.VII

On June 4, 1917, Canadian ace Alexander Shook became the first to shoot down an enemy aircraft with the Sopwith Camel.

COUNTRY: France
MANUFRACTURER: Société Anonyme Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
TYPE: Fighter
ENTERED SERVICE: September 1917
NUMBER BUILT: 8,472

Equipped with twin machine guns and a larger engine, the SPAD XIII was styled after the airframe of the smaller SPAD VII. Built in large numbers, it was known for its sturdy construction, its speed and its ability to dive at high speeds. Although somewhat difficult to fly, it was still considered one of the best dog-fighting planes of the war. The SPAD XIII was flown by many of the famous aces including Georges Guynemer and Eddie Rickenbacker.