Fokker D.VII

Winner of the competition for a new German fighter, in February 1918, the DVII was one of the best fighters produced during World War I , piloted by most German aces. Robust and manoeuvrable, exceeded the performance of all the allied planes , except at full speed. For his qualities, was quoted nominally (Article IV) in the Treaty of Versailles, that were all presented to the winners. Over 3000 were built by Germany, and another 200 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

History
Late in the year 1917 had the opposing air forces with their new SPAD S. XIII- And S.E.5 fighters for air superiority achieved on the Western Front. The German government then wrote a competition for a powerful new Fokker. In January 1918 a comparison was flying in Berlin-Adlershof held. The competition was attended by 31 new aircraft. The choice fell on the prototype Fokker V.11, which was later called Fokker D. VII. Construct the D. VII was by Reinhold Platz, the chief designer of the Fokker -Werke.

Construction
The aircraft was built up conventionally - a braced Biplane with a rigid chassis, a water-cooled engine and two synchronized Machine guns. Under the fabric covering of the hull is a stable, welded tubular steel frame as he put in earlier Fokker designs have found application. The wings were made of wood, covered with cloth and also against each other and strutted towards the body (the struts between the wings have supposedly only a " psychological " function before). Lateral and horizontal stabilizer were also constructed from steel tubing and fabric covered.

400 machines were ordered, and as the Fokker production alone could not cope with the required time , his great rival Albatros produced at the direction of the inspection of the air force in the machine License, while a version with wood instead of steel frame.

A total of about 3,200 D. VII have been made - including Fokker in Schwerin in 1000 and 2200 together with the Albatros aircraft factory in Johannisthal and the East German Albatros Werke ( OAW ) in Piła.

Use 1918
The Fokker D. VII counted because of their excellent flight characteristics that were to dominate good for less experienced pilots, among the best fighters of the First World War. The airplane was powered by a Mercedes D III or BMW IIIa Motor height - the latter machines engine carried the name Fokker D. VIIf. It had the BMW engine has the disadvantage that it could operate only from a height of 3200 m at full capacity, but had particularly at high altitudes or high reserves. The plane was light and strong, extremely agile in a dogfight and gave the pilot excellent visibility.

In April 1918, the D. VII first appeared on the Western front on - Machines of Jagdgeschwader I ( JG I) - and became very popular. First, the Allied Pilots not do too much respect for the new aircraft since, especially in comparison to the elegant lines of the Albatros machines, a little more sophisticated impression left behind. Very soon, however, put out his exceptional fighting skills , which procured him a reputation as a very formidable opponent.

Manfred von Richthofen, JG I, the commander of the aircraft had indeed flown before a trial basis, but came in a three-decker Fokker Dr.I died before the D. VII came to the front. The climb of the D. VII was so that even at high altitude in a slow climb, and in extreme maneuvers, the flow under the wings until fairly late demolition. Especially the D. VII was feared for its ability to seemingly hang " the propeller "and take the enemy under fire from below.

It was said that the D. VII was unable, from " mediocre pilot aces "to make. Having achieved a great number of top German pilots their kills with the D. VII, even though only in the last half year of the war was used. One of the pilots with the numerous victories on the D. VII was Ernst Udet.

With the progress of 1918, however, new Allied aircraft models arrived at the front, which had more powerful engines , which relativized the benefit of the D. VII. Pilots were now trying to get one of D. VIIf with the 185 hp BMW IIIa engine. However, this model was only manufactured in small quantities.

In September 1918, some 800 Fokker D. VII in 48 Jastas were in front. About 800 and 200 D. D. VII VIIf should have reached the front before the armistice. Eight aircraft were delivered in September 1918 the Bulgarian aircraft division.

Post-war use
In the Peace Treaty of Versailles is the Fokker D. VII as the only aircraft specifically mentioned in the requirement that all aircraft had to be delivered to the winners of this model - proof of how much it has been feared. Most of the planes went to the U.S., some in the Switzerland. Many of the delivered aircraft were destroyed, others served the U.S. Air Force for many years as a training aircraft.

Immediately after Germany's defeat Fokker moved his business in the Netherlands. He smuggled parts for 120 machines D. VII and CI engines, and 300-400 over the border and built on the D. VII. The aircraft was used in several air forces, including the Netherlands , Lithuania , Poland , Czechoslovakia , Hungary, the Soviet Union, Denmark and the USA. The Belgian armed forces to use captured aircraft converted to two-seaters, as a training aircraft until 1926. The Dutch Air Force They flew until 1931 and even 1928, Switzerland ordered eight new aircraft of this type.

Specifications
Model: D. VIIf Wingspan: 8.93 m ( upper wing ) and 7.01 ( lower wing ) Length: 7 m Height: 2.75 m Weight: 757 Kg ( empty) and 959 kg ( loaded) Engine: Mercedes D. IIIau, 6 cylinder (180 hp) or BMW IIIa (185 hp) Speed: 200 mph ( sea level) Maximum ceiling: 6,000 m Autonomy: 1:30 pm Armament: Two Spandau machine guns of 7.92 mm 8.15 LM