Koolhoven FK.58
| Koolhoven FK.58 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Koolhoven FK.58 with Hispano-Suiza-14Aa engine |
|
| Type: | Interceptor aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Koolhoven |
| First flight: |
July 17, 1938 |
| Number of pieces: |
20th |
The Koolhoven FK.58 is a single-engine, single-seat interceptor from 1938. A total of only 20 copies (including two prototypes ) were built, but they were never involved in serious fighting.
history
The aircraft was commissioned from the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Frederick Koolhoven by the French government at the time, on the assumption that the domestic industry could not meet the needs of the Armée de l'air . The requirements were based on a light, cheap fighter aircraft with a comparatively high performance, which was to be used primarily in the colonies .
The first prototype was completed in just eight weeks. It had the civil Dutch registration number PH-ATO and was powered by a French Hispano-Suiza 14 Aa (1,080 hp ) double radial engine. The first flight took place on July 17, 1938. Thereupon France ordered 50 copies, which, however, were mainly to be equipped with French engines of the Gnôme-Rhône 14N 39 (1,030 hp) type and French instruments. The modified type was given the designation FK.58A . The installation of the somewhat weaker Gnome-Rhône engine meant that the flight weight increased by over 100 kg, while the top speed was reduced by around 25 km / h (see technical data ). Production should take place in the Fokker factories . As the French assemblies arrived at the Fokker works very slowly, production was correspondingly slow. The project is another example of the lack of logistics that hampered French armament plans just before World War II . In the end, 17 units were delivered by Fokker, whereby the originally planned Hispano-Suiza engines were installed in seven machines. As a result, production was relocated to Nevers , where only one more FK.58A was completed. The French added local instruments afterwards and gave the Dutch ones back.
After an accident of the first, a second prototype with reinforced tail struts and a downwardly relocated exhaust was built, which had its maiden flight on September 22nd of that year (registration number PH-AVA). In January 1939, the Netherlands also ordered 40 copies for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht . These machines were to be equipped with a British Bristol-Taurus engine, but were never delivered due to the Dutch surrender in 1940.
The Koolhoven FK58 was not particularly popular with French pilots. The aircraft received the reputation of being the worst fighter type in the entire Armée de l'air. The performance of the type was slightly above that of the Morane-Saulnier MS.406 and was comparable to that of the Bloch MB.152 , but did not come close to that of the Dewoitine D.520 . At the beginning of the war in the West, 13 of the 18 French machines were operational and formed a squadron consisting of Polish pilots in exile under the leadership of Captain Walerian Jasionkowski . The squadron initially patrolled the Avignon / Marseille area and later in the Clermont-Ferrand area with the task of protecting the cities from German attacks. But there are no reports of fighting with the enemy.
Countries of operation
Technical specifications
| Parameter | FK.58 | FK.58A |
|---|---|---|
| crew | 1 | |
| length | 8.71 m | |
| span | 11.02 m | |
| height | 3.00 m | |
| Wing area | 17.23 m² | |
| Wing extension | ||
| Empty mass | 1800 kg | 1930 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 2550 kg | 2750 kg |
| Top speed | 500 km / h at 4500 m altitude | 475 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 10,400 m | 10,000 m |
| Rate of climb | 694 m / min (1130 ft / min) | |
| Range | 745 km | 750 km |
| Engines | a 14-cylinder double radial engine Hispano-Suiza 14Aa with 1080 PS (806 kW) | a 14-cylinder double radial engine Gnôme-Rhône 14N 39 with 1030 PS (769 kW) |
| Armament | four 7.5 mm machine guns | four 7.9 mm FN Browning machine guns in gondolas under the wings |
literature
- Dominique Breffort, André Jouineau, Alan McKay (translator): French Aircraft from 1939 to 1942 Volume 2: From Dewoitine to Potez , Histoire & Collections, ISBN 2-915239-49-5 (English)
