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Fokker D.VIII

Description

This aircraft was specifically designed by the Fokker company for the Second Fighter Competition convened between May 27 and June 21, 1918 at Adlershof, the German aircraft test centre. Constructed as a monoplane fighter, it was mainly based on previous designs by Reinhold Platz. Its design was based on a tube-welded fuselage and wings covered with plywood throughout their span. The wing, which had a thick profile, was situated level with the pilot’s line of sight, which reduced upward visibility. During the Second Fighter Competition, the E.V showed good performance and offered good all-round visibility. It also has a good climb rate and good manoeuvrability, with some test pilots even preferring it to the Fokker D.VIIF. Thereafter, a contract was placed to produce 400 planes for the army, which were all powered by the Oberursel UR II.

The aircraft were produced at the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke, with 285 aircraft having been produced by war's end. On 7th August 1918, the aircraft went into frontline service with Jasta 6 and Jasta 19, but unfortunately on the 16th and then again, on the 19th, E.V pilots were killed following catastrophic wing failures. All E.Vs were temporarily grounded for a crash investigation; this investigation ended in October. Wing failures were found to be due to poor production quality and poor-quality materials used during wing construction. With the aircraft's wings built to the original quality specification and with its new wing having increased strength and quality, it earned its new designation – the Fokker D.VIII. Visually there was no difference between the E.V and the D.VIII, and some earlier produced E.Vs were re-designated as D.VIIIs after the wings were replaced.

Pilots' impressions about the aircraft were as follows: its climb performance and all-round cockpit view was excellent, and it was both easy to fly and responsive to the controls. Some pilots preferred it to the Fokker D.VII as it was more manoeuvrable. It had a tendency to drop the right wing on landing and to ground loop in the same direction. It also got its nickname - the “Flying Razor” - from its characteristic monoplane construction. After the Fokker E.V/D.VIII entered service on the Western Front, official records show a victory by Emil Rolf on August 17th, while other service details say little more about the aircraft.

Engine
Oberursel UR II rotary 9 cyl. 110 hp

Dimensions
Height: 2820 mm
Length: 5865 mm
Wing span: 8340 mm
Wing surface: 10.7 sq.m.

Weight
Empty weight: 360 kg
Takeoff weight: 562 kg
Fuel capacity: 69 l
Oil capacity: 20 l

Maximum airspeed (IAS)
sea level — 185 km/h
1000 m — 177 km/h
2000 m — 167 km/h
3000 m — 158 km/h
4000 m — 148 km/h
5000 m — 136 km/h

Climb rate
1000 m — 2 min. 42 sec.
2000 m — 5 min. 47 sec.
3000 m — 9 min. 25 sec.
4000 m — 14 min. 02 sec.
5000 m — 20 min. 20 sec.

Service ceiling 6500 m

Endurance at 1000m
nominal power (combat) — 1 h. 30 min.
minimal consumption (cruise) — 2 h. 20 min

Armament
Forward firing: 2xLMG 08/15 Spandau 7.92mm, 500 rounds per barrel

References
1) Fokker Fighters of World War One. By Alex Imrie, Vintage Warbirds 06.
2) Fokker D.VIII. By P. M. Grosz, Windsock DataFile 25.
3) The Fokker D.VIII. Profile publications number 67.
4) Fokker Aircraft of World War One. By D. Paul Leaman.
5) German Aircraft of the First World War. By P.Gray, O.Thetford.
6) File D 52.1/Fokker/55 McCOOK FIELD REPORT, SERIAL No. 1669.

Modifications

Inclinometer
D.R.G.M liquid Inclinometer (indicates bank while on ground and sideslip while in flight)
Additional mass: 1 kg

Anemometer
Wilhelm Morell Anemometer (45-250 km/h)
Additional mass: 1 kg

Gunsight
Additional sight with front sight and rear sight mountings
Additional mass: 1 kg

Cockpit light
Cockpit illumination lamp for night sorties
Additional mass: 1 kg

Collimator Day
Oigee Reflector-type Collimator sight (daytime dimmer installed)
Additional mass: 2 kg

Collimator Night
Oigee Reflector-type Collimator sight (daytime dimmer removed)
Additional mass: 2 kg