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FOKKER DR1

Fokker DR1 'Driedecker', Duxford 2011 - pic by Nigel Key
Fokker DR1 'Driedecker', Duxford 2011 ©Nigel Key

ROLE
Fighter.

FIRST FLIGHT
5 July 1917.

By early 1917, it became clear that the Allies Sopwith Triplane was becoming superior to the current German fighters such as the Albatros.

A captured Sopwith Triplane was examined by Anthony Fokker in April 1917 and he consequently gave instructions back at the Factory to design and build a Triplane.

The prototype, designated V.4, designed by Reinhold Platz, was constructed with a steel tube fuselage and thick cantilever wings.

After initial tests it was found that the V.4 had very high control forces due to unbalanced ailerons and elevators, so was discontinued.

A new prototype was produced, designated the V.5, which had horn-balanced ailerons and elevators, longer wing spans and the addition of struts to minimise wing flexing.

On 14th July 1917, an order for 20 pre-production aircraft was placed with the prototype being tested to destruction on 11th August 1917.

PRODUCTION
The Fokker DR1 was produced from 1917, with 320 built.

ENGINE
Oberursel Ur.II Rotary, producing 110 hp.

ARMAMENT
2 x Spandau 7.92mm machine guns.

The first two pre-production aircraft were designated F.1 and sent to Jasta 10 and 11 for combat evaluation in Belgium 28th August 1917.

Baron von Richthofen first flew a F.1 on 1st September 1917 and shot down two enemy aircraft over the next two days.

The combat evaluation of the F.1 came to an abrupt end when Oberleutnant Kurt Wolff was shot down on the 15th of September and Leutnant Werner Voss was killed on 23rd of September.

Richthofen recommended that this new aircraft was issued to fighter squadrons as soon as possible, stating that the F.1 was superior to the Sopwith Triplane.

The remaining 18 pre-production aircraft, now designated Dr.1, were issued to Jasta 11 with a production order for 100 placed in September and a further 200 in November.

Crew - 1
Wing Type - Triplane
Length - 18ft 11in (5.77m)
Wingspan - 23ft 7in (7.20m)
Height - 9ft 8in (2.95m)
Empty Weight - 895lb (406kg)
Max. Weight - 1,292lb (586kg)
Max. Speed - 115 mph (185 km/h)
Range - 185 miles (300 km)


PHOTOGRAPHS

Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2011 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2014 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2014 - pic by Nigel Key
Duxford 2011 Duxford 2014 Duxford 2014
Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2011 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2011 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2011 - pic by Nigel Key
Duxford 2011 Duxford 2011 Duxford 2011
Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key
Duxford 2009 Duxford 2009 Duxford 2009
Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key Fokker DR1 Driedecker, Duxford 2009 - pic by Nigel Key
Duxford 2009 Duxford 2009 Duxford 2009


Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key







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