Fokker T.VIII

Fokker T.VIII
An RAF Fokker T.VIII, operated by No. 320 Squadron
Role	Torpedo-bomber seaplane
Manufacturer	Fokker
First flight	1938
Primary users	Marine-Luchtvaartdienst Royal Air Force Luftwaffe
Number built	36

The Fokker T.VIII was a Dutch twin-engined torpedo-bomber and reconnaissance floatplane developed in the late 1930s, which served in the Dutch, British and German air forces. The aircraft was originally developed as a result of a request from the Dutch Naval Aviation Service for an aircraft for use in home waters and in the Dutch East Indies.

Development

The T.VIII W/G was a mid-winged monoplane with a three-part fuselage of oval cross-section which consisted of a light alloy nose, a centre section of wood and a tail of steel frame with a fabric covering. The wing was constructed with two cross-beams with bakelite ribs and clad in plywood. In the T.VIII W/M variant the tail, as well as the wings, were constructed from light alloy. The undercarriage consisted of two floats of rustproof duralumin with six waterproof compartments and a reserve fuel tank in each.

Operational history

The aircraft went into production after the first flight in 1938 and eleven entered Dutch service. At the time of the German invasion in 1940, nine aircraft relocated to bases in France, and on 22 May 1940 escaped to the UK to form the basis of No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF, Coastal Command, based at Pembroke Dock in South Wales. Eventually lack of spares meant that these aircraft were retired. Meanwhile, the Germans completed the T.VIIIs, still under construction at the Fokker factory, and after evaluation at Travemünde, operated them in the Black Sea in the reconnaissance, air-sea rescue and anti-submarine role. In May 1941, Dutch Lieutenant Beelaerts van Blokland, together with pilot Govert Steen, Fokker technician Lindeman and resistance fighter Boomsma, stole a T.VIIIW in German service floating in the Amsterdam IJ and flew it to England to join the Allied forces.

Variants

T.VIII W/G

Mixed wood and metal construction. 19 built.

T.VIII W/M

All-metal construction. 12 built.

T.VIII W/C

Larger version with more powerful engines. Five had been ordered by Finland, but were captured and used by the Luftwaffe.

Operators

Finland

• Finnish Air Force ordered 5 T.VIII W/C but none were delivered.

Germany

• Luftwaffe operated several captured aircraft.

Netherlands

• Netherlands Naval Aviation Service

United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force

Specifications (T.VIII W/G)

Data from Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
• Height: 5 m (16 ft 5 in)
• Gross weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engines, 336 kW (451 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 285 km/h (177 mph; 154 kn) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
• Range: 2,750 km (1,709 mi; 1,485 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,800 m (22,310 ft)

Armament

2 × 7.92 (0.312 in) machine guns

600 kg (1,323 lb) of bombs or torpedoes

See also

• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of military aircraft of Germany
• List of aircraft of the RAF

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Angelucci, Enzo. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. San Diego, California: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
• Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Six: Floatplanes. London: Macdonald & Co., (Publishers) Ltd., 1962.
• Van der Klaauw, Bart. The Fokker T.VIII (Aircraft in Profile number 176). Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1967.
• Van der Klaauw, Bart. Water- en Transport Vliegtuigen Wereldoorlog II (in Dutch). Alkmaar, the Netherlands: Uitgeverij de Alk bv, year unknown. ISBN 90-6013-677-2.