Fokker E.V

From Wings of Linen
Fokker D.VIII/E.V
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Fokker
Designer Reinhold Platz
First flight summer 1918[1]
Introduction 7 Aug 1918 [2][3][note 1]
Primary users Germany
Poland
Wingspan 8.31 m (27 ft 3 in) [4] to
8.34 m (27 ft 4 in)[5] to
8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)[6][7]
Propeller Diam. 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)[7]
Engine 110hp Oberursel U.II rotary
Armament 2×fixed, sync. LMG08/15
Crew 1
Max Speed 185 km/h (115 mph)[8][6][7] to
201 km/h (125 mph)[4] to
204 km/h (127 mph)[9][5][note 2]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 2:00[9][4][5]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 5:05[7]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 7:30[4]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 8:55[7]
4,000 m (13,100 ft) in 10:45[9][note 3]
Ceiling 6,000 m (19,700 ft)[9][5] to 6,300 m (20,700 ft)[8][4][6][7]
Endurance 1:30 [9][8][4][6][5]

The Fokker D.VIII or E.V (as it was variously called) combined the strong, unbraced upper wing of the Fokker D.VII with a 110hp rotary engine to create a handy, maneuverable plane with great sight lines for the pilot. The first six E.V planes were rushed to the front for combat evaluation with Jasta 6. Shortages of castor oil and wing failures led to their temporary withdrawal on 21 August. Adjustments were made to the wing and the type was cleared for combat in late October, but by this time the renamed D.VIIIs had a few scant weeks to show their prowess[2], and they may have never flown combat missions in their "rebranded" form.

It was, in fact, failures in workmanship in the Fokker wing factory at Perzina that resulted in these catastrophic problems with the E.V, and it took until late September 1918 that they could be rooted out and corrected. All of the rebuilt and newly-built planes with new wings were redesignated the D.VIII. It was not until 24 October that the D.VIII reappeared at the front, and as of 1 November 1918 there were only 85 at the front.

Despite the modest engine power, the D.VIII was found to be nimble, somewhat between the Dr.I and D.VII, and the visibility from the cockpit was outstanding. Experiments with improved engines were well under way and may have paid fruit had the war lasted longer.[10]

Austria-Hungary contemplated the purchase and manufacture of E.V's, but shortages in lubricants forestalled any such plans.[11] In 1919 the Polish 7th Aviation Squadron used D.VIIIs against Ukrainian forces.[7]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Fokker D.VIII.

Timeline [note 4]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb Points
Aug18-end F A 15 14 2 89

Plane and Crew Cards

Card Links

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:200 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:300 Scale

1:350 Scale

1:600 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. It was withdrawn from combat around 24 Aug 1918 and did not reappear until 24 Oct.[3]
  2. The higher speeds probably were obtained with the 145hp or other test engines.[7]
  3. Likely with 145hp Oberursel UR.III[7]
  4. German numbers are from bi-monthly Frontbestand records (Effective Frontline Strength).[12]
Citations
  1. Angelucci, p.59.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gray, p.109.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Bruce'66, p.6.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lamberton, pp.218-219.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Argus Vol. 1, p.70.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Angelucci, p.49.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Bruce'66, p.12.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Munson, p.80.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Gray, p.112.
  10. Bruce'66, pp. 6-9.
  11. Grosz'93, p.411.
  12. Grosz'85, p.60 and Grosz'86, p.66.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • Argus Books, Airplane Archive: Aircraft of World War One, Volume 1. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-983-5
  • J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications 67: The Fokker D.VIII. Great Britain: Profile Publications Ltd, 1966.
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Peter M. Grosz, George Haddow, and Peter Schiemer. Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One. Flying Machines Press, 1993. ISBN 0-9637110-0-8.
  • Peter M. Grosz, "Archiv -- Frontbestand". WW1 Aero, № 107, Dec 1985 and № 108, Feb 1986. Poughkeepsie, NY: World War I Aeroplanes, Inc.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • Kenneth Munson, Fighters 1914-19, Attack and Training Aircraft. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1976. ISBN 0713707607