History

The Mercedes D.I was a six-cylinder, water-cooled, inline engine developed in Germany for use in aircraft in 1913. Developing 75 kW (100hp), it powered some German military aircraft during the very early part of World War I. It was introduced in 1913. Descriptively it had 3 sets of paired cylinders where the water jacket wrapped around two cylinders. The central oil pickup and sump were located centrally in the oil pan. The water pump was at bottom of rear accessory tower between the dual magnetos.

It was commonly used as a power-plant in:
AEG B.I
AEG G.I
Albatros B.I
Albatros B.II Linke-Hoffman built
Albatros G.I
Aviatik B.I
Bristol-Halberstadt Taube I. Militär Schule eindecker (1913)
DFW B.I
Fokker D.I
Fokker M.16E
Fokker M.18E
Gotha Taube
Halberstadt D.I
Junkers G 23 (1920’s)
LVG B.I (1912)
LVG B.II
Pfalz E.V prototype


The next generation of Mercedes (the D.II) was similar in appearance but upgraded to 120hp by internal modifications.

The museum in Krakow has one of the D.I motors. Also 1:72 & 1:48 drawings can be found in the book “Albatros B.II” by Piotr Mrozokowski published by Model Centrum.

Kit Contents

73 Engine parts (kit #4806)
Additionally in the diorama set {kit #4807)there is,
03 crate parts
01 repair stand
01 name plate

The sheer part numbers tell you that the motor can be built with a high degree of detail. Seeing images of a completed build are the icing on the cake and banish any doubt. A fellow once told me that the best method to a well built kit is treating all subassemblies as a completed kit. Imagine the unique display with the typical early war designs having the motor sitting up front and cowlings only minimally covering the crank case.

The advanced kit #4807 has additionally 8 resin parts for "assemby & repair stand" and a shipping crate. The stand was used in the shops to:

1. Assembly of new motor.
2. Effect repairs for damaged motors at the factory.

Note: When a motor needed major work it was shipped to one of several repair facilities. For the French this was often either at an aviation instruction center or the original parent factory.

It should be noted that the "operational test blocks" for these motors was very substantial wood block and metal tie down strapping with bolts. The framing supplied in the kit represents maintenance supports to work on the motor during overhauls. The motor would never be run up with it in these types of cradles / frames.

I applaud Taurus Models for their attempt at providing an alternate issue with a diorama assessories.

Contact them at email: [email protected]

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE