development work on the siemens-halske sh.i culminated in the siemens-halske sh.iii, which developed . the new engine was fitted to a series of original prototype designs from the ssw works, the d.ii, d.iia and d.iib. these featured a short, round section fuselage designed to fit a larger engine, leading to a rather stubby-looking aircraft which pilots later referred to as "the flying beer barrel". flight tests started in june 1917, and while the aircraft did not have a very high top speed, they showed outstanding rates of climb. the only serious concern was the extremely long landing gear needed to keep the huge 2-bladed prop clear of the ground.