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Fokker D.IV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
D.IV
General information
TypeFighter
ManufacturerFokker
Designer
Primary usersGerman Army
Number built44
History
Introduction date1916[1]

The Fokker D.IV was a German fighter biplane of World War I, a development of the D.I.[2][3]

Development

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The Fokker D.IV had a more powerful Mercedes D.III engine, and was the first Fokker front-line design to use ailerons in place of wing warping from the start for roll control.[4]

Operational history

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The aircraft was purchased in small numbers (40) by the German Army but it is thought that only 1 aircraft flown by Hans von Keudell of Jasta 1 saw any service on the Western Front all others being relegated to a training role or home defense duties. This was because of a general ban placed on the front-line use of Fokker aircraft on 6 December 1916 due to poor workmanship and a lack of quality control at the factory.

The Swedish Air Force also bought four examples of the type powered by 150 h.p. Benz Bz.III engines.,[1][5] but only 1 was assembled and armed, the remaining 3 being stored in a dismantled state.

Operators

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 German Empire
 Sweden

Specifications

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General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 6.30 m (21 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.70 m (31 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 21.0 m2 (226 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 600 kg (1,320 lb)
  • Gross weight: 840 kg (1,848 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III straight-6 , 120 kW (160 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn) [4]
  • Range: 220 km (137 mi, 119 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 5.6 m/s (1,100 ft/min) 20 minutes to 13,100 Ft.

Armament

  • 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns

References

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Notes

  1. ^ a b "Germany - 1916 Fokker D.IV". wwiaviation Blogspot. Retrieved: 15 March 2012.
  2. ^ Green, and Swanborough 1994, p. 221.
  3. ^ Taylor 1989, p. 399.
  4. ^ a b Wagner and Nowarra 1971, p. 63.
  5. ^ Lamberton 1960, p. 218.

Bibliography

  • Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Greenwich Editions, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
  • Lamberton, W. M. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, Herts, UK: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN 0-517-69186-8.
  • Wagner, Ray and Heinz Nowarra. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
  • World Aircraft Information Files: File 894 Sheet 40–41. London: Bright Star Publishing, 1989.