The Fokker D.IV was a German fighter biplane of World War I, a development of the D.I.[2][3]
| D.IV | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Fokker |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | German Army |
| Number built | 44 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1916[1] |
Development
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit
- Luftstreitkrafte - 40 aircraft.
- Swedish Air Force - Four aircraft.
Specifications
editGeneral 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
edit
Notes
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.