BATFK23 bantam
| BATFK23 bantam | |
|---|---|
| Type: | single-seat fighter aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
|
| Number of pieces: |
FK22: 3, FK23: 15 |
The BATFK23 is a biplane that was constructed by Frederick Koolhoven for the British Aerial Transport Company (BAT) during World War I.
development
After moving to British Aerial Transport Co. Ltd. Frederick Koolhoven received the order to design a single-seat fighter aircraft in 1917. The model called FK22 was a two- legged double-decker in wood construction with a hull in shell construction . The drive was an ABC mosquito radial enginewith an output of 120 PS (89 kW). BAT received the official order to build six development machines. However, the engine proved unsuitable and was replaced in the first and third aircraft by an ABC Wasp-I radial engine with 170 hp (127 kW) (FK22 / 1). The second prototype received a 100 HP (75 kW) Gnome monosoupape rotary engine (FK22 / 2). The remaining three copies served as prototypes for the FK23. The FK22 / 2, retrospectively referred to as Bantam II, flew first in September 1917 and began flight tests in December 1917. In January it was transferred to Martlesham for official test operations. The machine later received a Le Rhone 9J rotary engine with 110 hp (82 kW) and flew at the Central Flying School on the RAF Upavon base . Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the other two FK22.
The last three machines on the development order were given the designation FK23 Bantam I. Although the wooden structure with a shell hull was retained, the design was otherwise extensively redesigned. The span of the FK23 had been reduced from 7.52 m to 6.10 m. The length also decreased from 6.30 m to 5.61 m. The ABC Wasp radial engine served as the drive again. The testing took place from May 1918. Two more prototypes followed, which were again somewhat larger. An order for twelve aircraft was then placed. At least nine of these have been completed. The first of these flew to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough on July 26, 1918 . One aircraft was transferred to France and one to the USA. The aircraft tested in the USA was mothballed on September 30, 1922.
Since the prototypes tended to spin, several changes were made to the series models. Wingspan, tail unit, elevator and the rudder surface were enlarged and the fin was reduced. There were also problems with the engines. The end of the war led to the cessation of development. Koolhoven bought the last production model, which was equipped with a 200 hp ABC Wasp II engine, and brought the machine to the Netherlands. There she received an Armstrong-Siddeley-Lynx star engine. Some copies later appeared with a civil registration. This also included the machine with which the test pilot Major Christopher Draper took part in a rally in Hendon on June 21, 1919 .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| length | 5.61 m |
| span | 7.62 m |
| Wing area | 17.19 m² |
| height | 2.06 m |
| drive | an ABC Wasp I radial engine with 170 hp |
| Top speed | 206 km / h at an altitude of 1,980 m |
| Rate of climb | 5 min 10 sec at 1,980 m |
| crew | 1 |
| Service ceiling | 6,100 m |
| Empty mass | 378 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 599 kg |
| Armament | 2 7.7 mm rigid Vickers machine guns |
literature
- AERO issue 20, p. 559.
- Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matrcardi, Edouard Schartz: Airplanes, From the beginnings to the 1st World War. Falken-Verlag, Wiesbaden 1976, ISBN 3 8068 0391 9 .
- BATFK22 (Bantam II) - Fighter A-Z. In: AIR Enthusiast February 1972, p. 99.
- BATFK23 (Bantam I) - Fighter A-Z. In: AIR Enthusiast February 1972, p. 99.