Fokker D.I and successor aircraft

The Fokker D.I was among the first biplane fighter aircraft used by the Germans at the front. Despite the experience gained in aircraft construction, the fighters could not keep up with the Albatros fighter aircraft and were hardly deployed on the western front.

 

Development and construction:

The Fokker D.I was developed by the engineer Martin Kreuzer from 1915 and was a hybrid of the Fokker E.I series and the Fokker B.II.

First, three prototypes were built, which were equipped with a 100 hp Oberursel UR.I rotary engine. The armament consisted of a staggered LMG 08 / 157.92 mm machine gun. These aircraft were shown several times to the German army leadership, but it took until June 1916 until this could be assumed even after some structural changes.

 

The Fokker D.II had hardly any technical changes. Only the span was slightly reduced and the hull lengthened. The machines were also equipped again with the Oberursel UR.I rotary engine and a machine gun.

 

In the Fokker D.III, Martin Kreuzer had the stronger 160 hp Oberursel UR.III engine built in to make the aircraft more powerful. Also now two machine guns were installed, which meant that the hull had to be strengthened. In contrast to the Fokker D.II, the dimensions of the Fokker D.I were again predominantly taken over.

 

The Fokker D.IV oriented again mainly on the D.I, as engine but this time the 160 hp Mercedes D III engine was installed.

 

The development of the Fokker D.V was again carried out by Martin Kreuzer. However, when he had a fatal crash with a Fokker D.I, the plane was completed by Engineer Platz. This read again the 100 hp strong Oberursel UR.I rotary engine, although this was already considered no longer sufficient at that time.

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

From June 1916, the first Fokker D.I were used on the Western Front. However, since the aircraft were not as manoeuvrable as the Allied aircraft and were also defective in production, they were already relocated to the eastern front at the end of the year.

The aircraft of the D.II and D.III series were also only a short time on the Western Front and were quickly replaced by the fighters of the company Albatros, as they were much faster and more agile.

From the Fokker D.IV arrived only a few aircraft to the front. Most of the machines were used after production for training purposes.

Also, the Fokker D.V could not keep up with the Albatros aircraft and were rarely used at the front. Although the German Navy also got some aircraft, but even there they were not used.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Fokker D.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,3 meters
Span:	9,05 meters
Height:	2,25 meters
Mass:	463kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Circulating engine Oberursel UR.I 100 hp
Maximum speed:	150km/h
Reach:	200 kilometers
Armament:	1 x synchronized machine gun 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Fokker D.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,4 meters
Span:	8,75 meters
Height:	2,55 meters
Mass:	384kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Circulating engine Oberursel UR.I 100 hp
Maximum speed:	160km/h
Reach:	200 kilometers
Armament:	1 x synchronized machine gun 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Fokker D.III
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,3 meters
Span:	9,05 meters
Height:	2,55 meters
Mass:	430kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Recirculating engine Oberursel UR.III 160 hp
Maximum speed:	150km/h
Reach:	220 kilometers
Armament:	2 x synchronized machine guns 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Fokker D.IV
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,3 meters
Span:	9,7 meters
Height:	2,75 meters
Mass:	606kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Recirculating engine Mercedes D III 160 hp
Maximum speed:	160km/h
Reach:	220 kilometers
Armament:	2 x synchronized machine guns 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Fokker D.V
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Fighter plane
Length:	6,05 meters
Span:	8,75 meters
Height:	2,3 meters
Mass:	363kg empty
Crew:	Max. 1
Engine:	Circulating engine Oberursel UR.I 100 hp
Maximum speed:	170km/h
Reach:	240 kilometers
Armament:	1 - 2 x synchronized machine guns 7,92 mm LMG 08/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the right literature here:

 

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Click here!

 

 

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

Click here!

 

 

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

Click here!

 

 

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

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