German Fokker E III Monoplane with Parabelum light machine gun (fitted with engine 1923-798)
The Fokker E III Monoplane was designed for the German air forces by the Dutch aeroplane designer Anthony Fokker (1890-1939). The E III, or 'Eindecker' (one-wing) was a highly significant development in military aviation. Not only did it boast considerable aerial prowess, but it was also the first aircraft to be fitted with forward-firing machine-guns synchronised to fire between the rotating propeller blades. Front view showing internal structures from below.