Fokker DI-V

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The Fokker DI to the Fokker DV were the first biplane fighter aircraft of the German air force and Austro-Hungarian aviation troops in the First World War .

development

On the basis of the Fokker monoplane , engineer Martin Kreuzer developed the DI (factory designation M18Z) as a successor model in 1915, a two-post biplane in a composite construction with fuselage and wings with wing twisting of the Fokker B.II training aircraft , but with an in- line engine and conventional V-chassis and the tail spur of the Monoplane. It was armed with a rigid synchronized machine gun (LMG 08/15 7.92 mm) shifted slightly to the left. Complex changes had to be made to the machine until the three prototypes passed the technical inspection and were delivered to the front as the first biplane fighter in June 1916. Manfred von Richthofen flew one of the first delivered machines before switching to an Albatros DV .

It was followed in 1916 by the D.II (M17Z), but Kreutzer again used a rotary engine of the Oberursel UR.I type with 100 hp. A small series of D.II was produced by MAG for the Austro-Hungarian aviation troops.

In order to be able to carry two machine guns, the D.III (M19Z) had a fuselage reinforced on six ribs and had an Oberursel UR.III engine with 160 hp, but otherwise resembled the B.II A small part of the aircraft was fitted with ailerons on the built upper wings, 10 of which were sold to the Dutch Air Force in 1917. A D.III was produced by MAG for the Austro-Hungarian armed forces.

The D.IV (M21) was again similar to the DI with an in-line engine, but had outstanding ailerons on the wings, the Mercedes D III in- line engine of the Albatros fighter with 160 hp and also 2 MG.

Fokker DV

The DV (M22) was designed as the last of the double-decker series by engineer Kreutzer based on the DI and, after Kreutzer had a fatal accident with a DI, completed by his successor Platz. In contrast to its predecessors, it was only single-handled with slightly arrow-shaped wings. After the D.II and D.III with rotary engines had proven to be more successful, Kreutzer returned to the 100 PS Oberursel UI rotary engine with 100 PS, which was partially covered by a rounded propeller hood. She was armed with one or two machine guns. In October 1916, IdFlieg ordered a series of 200 aircraft (registration D2600-2799 / 16). Two further series of 50 aircraft each (D650–699 / 17 and D1600–1649 / 17) were ordered in 1917.

commitment

Overall, the 80 DIs that were delivered in 1916 proved to be less manoeuvrable with their torsion control than the opposing Nieuports and were therefore soon deported to the Eastern Front. In addition, the machine had defects in workmanship, which led to Martin Kreuzer's fatal crash on December 4, 1916. The first aircraft reached the front in June, and 73 aircraft were in the units in October. The first aerial victory of a Fokker DI was achieved on September 16, 1916, by Lieutenant of the Reserve Otto Höhne from Jagdstaffel 2 . Two aircraft went to the Austro-Hungarian aviation troops.

The 170 D.II and the 176 D.III, which were deployed in mid-1916 with aviation detachments and single-seat combat commandos, were replaced by the superior Albatros D. fighters.

Fokker D.IV

The 40 D.IVs, which were delivered in 1917, were more manoeuvrable due to their modified ailerons, but the performance advantage of the engine was partially lost again by the load with 2 MG. A small series of MAG with the more powerful Austro-Daimler engine was also produced by D.IV. The machine was not considered solid enough for combat use and was soon deported to training units.

The DV supplied with 300 pieces could hardly hold its own next to the Albatros either. Some machines were delivered to the Navy, but were not used at the front because their climbing height was judged to be insufficient. Nevertheless, test pilot Ernst Didszuleit compared its maneuverability with that of the Sopwith Pup : It only needs a 15–20 m long runway, is very light and extremely easy to control.

Overall, the Fokker DI – V were only used to a limited extent at the front. The types D.II, III and V equipped with rotary engines were somewhat more successful, but were used more defensively for escort orders or as training aircraft. On December 6, 1916, the aircraft were withdrawn from the front line, many went to training units or as interceptors to the single-seat squadrons for homeland security.

Technical specifications

Parameter DI D.II D.III D.IV DV
Construction year 1915 1916 1917
Intended use Fighter plane
crew 1
length 6.30 m 6.40 m 6.30 m 6.05 m
span 9.05 m 8.75 m 9.05 m 9.70 m 8.75 m
height 2.25 m 2.55 m 2.75 m 2.30 m
Wing area 22.00 m² 18.00 m² 20.00 m² 21.00 m² 15.50 m²
Empty mass 463 kg 384 kg 430 kg 606 kg 363 kg
Takeoff mass 670 kg 575 kg 710 kg 840 kg 566 kg
Top speed 150 km / h in NN 160 km / h in NN 150 km / h in NN 160 km / h in NN 170 km / h in NN
Climbing time to 1000 m 5 min 4 min 3 min
Climbing time to 2000 m 8 min
Ascent time to 3000 m 16 min 15 minutes 12 min 19 min
Climbing time to 4000 m 28 min 24 min 20 min
Service ceiling 4000 m 4700 m 5000 m
Range 200 km 220 km 240 km
Flight duration 2:30 h 1:30 h 1:30 h
Engine Mercedes D.II, 120 hp Oberursel UR.I, 100 HP Oberursel U III, 160 hp Mercedes D III , 160 hp Oberursel UR.I, 100 HP
Armament 1 MG 2 MG 1-2 MG

See also

literature

  • Peter M. Grosz: Little Jewel Fokker , from: Windsock International No4 / Vol.4, Berkhamsted, Winter 1988, p. 4 ff.
  • Reinhard Keimel : Österreichs Luftfahrzeuge , Graz 1981, ISBN 3-900310-03-3
  • Karlheinz Kenz, Hanns Müller: The aircraft of the First World War 1914-1918 , Munich 1973, ISBN 3-453-00404-3
  • Günter Kroschel, Helmut Stützer: The German military aircraft 1910–1918 . Lohse-Eissing, Wilhelmshaven 1977, ISBN 3-920602-18-8 .
  • Kenneth Munson: Fighter planes 1914-19 , Zurich 1968
  • Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Airplanes 1914–1918 . Lehmanns, Munich 1959.
  • Michael JH Taylor: Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation . Studio Editions, London 1989, p. 399
  • NN: World Aircraft Information Files . Bright Star Publishing, London, File 894, Sheet 41

Web links

Individual references / comments

  1. ↑ At the end of the war, the Munich Schutzstaffel under Lieutenant Justinus was still equipped with DV. See Peter Pletschacher: The Royal Bavarian Air Force 1912-1919. Stuttgart 1978, ISBN 3-87943-576-6 , p. 56
  2. ↑ Version for the Austro- Hungarian aviation troops with Austro-Daimler MAG, 185 HP