DS-10 Albe

The DS-10 Albe is a single-seat, single-engined fighter used by Bavarian forces from 1935 to 1944. The aircraft was notable for being the replacement of the much older DS-3 biplane still in service with the Bavarian Airforce well into the mid 1930s. During the first few years of the war, the type was unmatched in turn radius, speed and climb but was later surpassed by Union designs by 1942. During the First Battle of The Royal Isles in 1940, the DS-10 was closely matched by the RIAF's DP-5 and DP-7 fighters. Further development of the DS-10 incorporating features found on captured DP-15 Marauders would eventually lead to the DS-21 Falke.

Design and Development
By the early-1930s, the Bavarian Air Force was severely lagging behind in both size and technology compared to other Arbonean nations like the Royal Isles and Impero. The DS-3 Geier; the primary Bavarian fighter at the time, was already long obsolete even in comparison to some Sky Pirate aircraft. Not wanting to be the joke of the skies, the Bavarian Air Force sent out an urgent requirement for a new Fighter. The new aircraft had to be fast, nimble and easy to produce in numbers. Dargun-Saarfeld - already manufacturing the DS-3, had the winning design: the DS-10 Albe. Entering service in 1935, the diminutive DS-10 was instantly a success with Bavarian Pilots being incredibly easy to fly. As the type was simple to produce, by late 1936, the Bavarian Air Force was the 3rd largest air force in Arbon following the Royal Isles and Impero. With the war breaking out on July 12th 1939, the DS-10 would finally be tested against foreign designs.

Operational History
On August 24th, 1939, the Battle of Valland began. Squadrons of DS-10s violated Vallian airspace. Vallian pursuit were scrambled against the waves of DS-10s but resistance was ultimately futile. With superior top speed, turn radius and climb in comparison to the aging Vallian Faucon aircraft, DS-10s mopped the floor over the skies of Valland. The DS-10 would earn an almost legendary status among surviving Vallian pilots. The DS-10 would finally see a worthy opponent over the skies of Valland in early 1940 against the Royal Isle’s DP-5 and DP-7 fighters. By 1943, the DS-10 was well out of date. While no fighter except for the Ikanese I-3 Taka could match the DS-10’s turn radius, Union aircraft like the DP-15 Marauder could outclimb, outgun and outspeed it. The type was relegated to ground attack and eventually completely retired in 1944. The last major usage of the type was during the Second Attack of the Royal Isles in mid-1943.

Specifications
Crew: 1

Top Speed: 510km/h @4000m

Rate of Climb: 15m/s (21.3m/s in later variants)

Engine(s): 1x ER-4 Löwe V-12 (950HP) [1200HP in later variants]

Armament: 1x 20mm FF Motorkanone + 2x 7.92mm MS-1 machine guns (3x 20mm FF cannons in later variants)