The Albatros D.I was introduced in August of 1916 to counter the British Airco and de Havilland scouts as well as the French Nieuport fighters. It incorporated an improved aerodynamic fuselage which lent a modern appearance whose design was noted for its streamlined forward section and elliptical plywood fuselage beginning with the propeller spinner. It was powered with either a Benz Bz.III (150 hp) or Mercedes D.III (160 hp) six-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which was one of the most powerful engines available at the time, allowing speeds of 110 miles per hour.