Fokker D.I

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The Fokker D.I (M18 according to company designation) was actually a development of the D.II fighter, which was known as the M17 by the production company. Confusing the matter further, both aircraft arrived at the Front in German service at similar times, in July-August 1916. (See article on D.II for details.) The main designer was Martin Kreutzer.

Similarly to the D.II/M17, this aircraft was an unstaggered single-bay equi-span biplane. The upper fuselage was parallel with the upper wing. Unlike the D.II, the D.I was fitted with the 100 hp Mercedes D.I six cylinder water cooled engine.

Control was achieved using wing-warping.

The wings were also tested in twin bay form. To improve visibility, the center section was cut into and the wings were slightly staggered.

These improvements were retained, and the airplane was ordered into production with a 120 hp Mercedes D.II inline engine and a single synchronized LMG 08/15 machine gun.

Deliveries began in July 1916. 90 were delivered to the German Fliegertruppen, and 16 to the Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrttruppen (as the B III). Eight were license produced by the Magyar Általános Gépgyár in Hungary.

One Austro-Hungarian B III was experimentally fitted with a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine. Another had ailerons instead of wing warping, and still another had long span, swept back wings.

Compared with aircraft in service at that time, such as the Albatros D.II and the Nieuport 11, this Fokker's design and performance were decidedly unimpressive, and further production did not take place.

The M18 would serve as the basis for the D.III and D.IV.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications (D.I)

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 20 ft 8 in (6.30 m)
Wingspan: 29 ft 8 in (9.05 m)
Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.55 m)
Wing area: 215.3 ft² (20.00 m²)
Empty weight: 1,020 lb (463 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,809 lb (820 kg)
Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
Powerplant: 1× Mercedes D.II 6-cylinder watercooled inline engine, 120 hp (90 kW)