The Albatros D.II was an improved version of the Albatros D.I with many aspects improved like a much better upwards and lateral visibility.
It was introduced initially in the Jasta 2, the first specialized fighter squadron of the Luftstreitkräfte and it was the airplane of many famous German aces of the first world war like Oswald Boelcke or Manfred von Richtofen himself who claimed 16 victories flying this aircraft (even if it wasn't painted in his characteristic red yet). As a curiosity it's worth mentioning that von Richtofen was flying this airplane when he shot down the British ace Lanoe Hawker and he claimed his Lewis machine gun as a personal trophy.
Shortly after being introduced, it took back the air superiority from entente fighters like the Airco DH.2 or the Nieuport 17, among others.
The bulk of the production was taken by Albatros, however the LVG firm, also produced some of them.
The production peaked in January 1917 when there were around 214 at active service. Although it was gradually replaced by the better Albatros D.III, some of them remained in active service until November 1917.
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