Page 18
eduard
18
Info Eduard - August 2011
BUILT
eduard
18
Info Eduard - August 2011
BUY Fokker Dr.I
Fokker F.I
1/72
Author: Matt Bittner, USA
(www.internetmodeller.com)
Fokker F.I, 101 /17,
Adlershof, srpen 1917
The Fokker Triplane is the best known, most glamorous as well as one
of the most mysterious aircraft of all time. Its birth is hidden in a bit of
a fog. The Fokker Dr.I was the result of lucky circumstances. In the spring
of 1917, the German Air Force requests a new ghter, which could
replace the obsolete Albatros ghters. Newer British types, such as the
Sopwith Camel or SE 5a outclass them. At the same time, the Fokker
Company, after a couple of previous abortions, works hard on new -
ghter designs to regain it‘s the lost position among German Air Force
suppliers. Fokker builds an extensive line of prototypes, with wooden,
self-contained wings, with quite a fat prole. In June 1917, they have
a promising biplane, named V4. At this time, Fokker receives an Idieg
(Inspektorat der Flieger, German AF technical commission) ofcial re-
quest to build three triplane prototypes. Without hesitation, Fokker re-
designs the V4 into a triplane. Successful trials of the new triplane y
in late June 1917, and on July 14th, Idieg orders the rst 20 aircraft.
The rst three prototypes acquired by the German Air Force are desig-
nated Fokker F.I. The rst Triplanes to see front line service in late August
1917, are two Fokker F.I prototypes, 102/17 and 103/17. Both birds
are assigned to JG I, where the most famous members employ them.
Manfred Von Richthofen receives 102/17, andWerner Voss, commander
of Jasta 10, and an ace with 47 victories, gets 103/17. Richthofen gets
two victories in 102/17‘s cockpit, but this aircraft is shot down on Sep-
tember the 13th when it is own by Lt.KurtWolf. Voss reaches 9 victories
with 103/17, before he is killed in his epic ght with seven S.E.5a‘s
of 56 Squadron RFC, on September the 23rd. The Fokker F.I starts the
long ghting career of Fokker‘s Triplanes.