The E.3 was readied for the official German air service "Third D-type" competition in September of 1918 and showcased itself as having excellent performance and handling as expected by its designers with its new wing proving sound. Indeed, some authorities at the competition regarded the E.3 as one of the best on display with few reservations. From this, the E.3 was given the military designator of "D.I" to ready it for serial production and operational service and about 100 examples were on order before the end of the war arrived through the Armistice of November 1918. However, the end of the war meant that fewer than a dozen (possible eight or ten) examples were completed.
For its time in the air, the E.3 was able to record a maximum speed of 118 miles per hour with a service ceiling reaching 20,280 feet, and a time-to-altitude of 16,405 feet in sixteen minutes.
Another E.3 form, designated internally as "E.3a" (or "E.IIIa"), was equipped with the Goebel Goe.III rotary engine of 160-200 horsepower under a full cowling (as opposed to the original E.3's partial cowling assembly). The variant reportedly made speeds of 124 miles per hour in testing and reached 16,405 feet in eleven minutes. The fate of this aircraft is unknown.
In the post-war years, a few E.3s were taken over by foreign players - namely The Netherlands and Switzerland - who featured it as aerobatic display performers. At least two were claimed by the Dutch-based NAVO anti-communist group and a single example fell to Swiss Comte Mittelholzer. These flew into the 1920s until their time had run out.
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