The Fokker D.VII was one of the most successful fighter planes of World War I. It was designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke company in Germany, and first flew in January 1918. The biplane had a sturdy steel structure and a thick cantilever wing that gave it excellent maneuverability and performance. It was powered by either a Mercedes or a BMW engine, and armed with two machine guns. The Fokker D.VII quickly gained a reputation as a formidable opponent in the air, and was favored by many German pilots, including the famous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen. The Allies were so impressed by the Fokker D.VII that they demanded its surrender as part of the Armistice terms that ended the war. About 3,300 Fokker D.VIIs were built, and some of them continued to serve in various countries after the war.
