Fokker D.VI

Fokker D.VI
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Fokker-Flugzeugwerke
Designer Reinhold Platz
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte
Number built 59

The Fokker D.VI was a German fighter aircraft built in limited numbers at the end of World War I. The D.VI served in the German and Austro-Hungarian air services.

Design and development

In late 1917, Fokker-Flugzeugwerke built two small biplane prototypes designated V.13. These aircraft combined a set of scaled-down D.VII wings with a fuselage and empennage closely mirroring those of the earlier Dr.I.[1] The first prototype utilized an 82 kW (110 hp) Oberursel Ur.II rotary engine, while the second featured a 119 kW (160 hp) Siemens-Halske Sh.III bi-rotary engine.[2]

Fokker submitted both prototypes at the Adlershof fighter trials in late January 1918.[3] At that time, Fokker reengined the first prototype with the 108 kW (145 hp) Oberursel Ur.III.[3] Pilots found the V.13s to be maneuverable and easy to fly.[4] Idflieg issued a production contract after the V.13s were ultimately judged to be the best rotary powered entries of the competition.[4]

Operational history

Fokker D.VI

The new aircraft, designated D.VI, passed its Typenprüfung (official type test) on 15 March 1918.[5] The production aircraft utilized the Oberursel Ur.II, which was the only readily available German rotary engine. Idflieg authorized low level production pending availability of the more powerful Goebel Goe.III.[5] Deliveries commenced in April and ceased in August, after only 59 aircraft had been completed.[6] Seven aircraft were delivered to the Austro-Hungarian Air Service (Luftfahrtruppen).

In service, the D.VI was hampered by the low power of the Oberursel Ur.II.[5] Moreover, the lack of castor oil and the poor quality of "Voltol," an ersatz lubricant, severely reduced engine life and reliability.[1] The D.VI remained in frontline service until September 1918, and continued to serve in training and home defense units until the Armistice.

Variants

  • V.13/1 : First prototype, powered by a 108 kW (145 hp) Oberursel Ur.III rotary engine
  • V.13/2 : Second prototype, powered by a 119 kW (160 hp) Siemens-Halske Sh.III rotary engine

Operators

 Austria-Hungary
 German Empire
 Kingdom of Hungary

Specifications

Fokker D.VI drawing

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.66 m (25 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 17.7 m2 (190 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 393 kg (866 lb)
  • Gross weight: 585 kg (1,290 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Oberursel Ur.II, 82 kW (110 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 197 km/h (123 mph)
  • Endurance: 1 hours  30 min
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,680 ft)

Armament

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 103.
  2. ↑ Weyl 1965, p. 262.
  3. 1 2 Weyl 1965, p. 264.
  4. 1 2 Weyl 1965, p. 269.
  5. 1 2 3 Weyl 1965, p. 271.
  6. ↑ Gray and Thetford 1962, p. 102.

Bibliography

  • Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-933852-71-1
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Crescent Books, 1993. ISBN 0-517-10316-8.
  • Weyl, A.R. Fokker: The Creative Years. London: Putnam, 1965. ISBN 0-85177-817-8.
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