Koolhoven F.K.48

The Koolhoven F.K.48 was an airliner built in the Netherlands in 1934 for KLM. It was a conventional, semi-cantilever high-wing monoplane, powered by two engines mounted on the wing leading edges. The undercarriage was of fixed, tailskid type with divided main units. The fuselage was of welded steel tube construction, covered in fabric, which was oval in cross section at the nose, transitioning to a rectangular cross-section for the passenger cabin. The wings were wooden structures skinned in plywood.

The sole example built was registered PH-AJX and therefore quickly gained the nickname Ajax. It was used by KLM on the Rotterdam-Eindhoven route until 1936, when it was retired to training and instructional duties within the airline.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: Two pilots
• Capacity: 8 passengers
• Length: 11.20 m (36 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 15.20 m (49 ft 10 in)
• Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 31.0 m² (334 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,220 kg (2,680 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,170 kg (4,770 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × de Havilland Gipsy Major, 100 kW (130 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 206 km/h (129 mph)
• Range: 850 km (530 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,200 m (13,800 ft)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Koolhoven Aircraft.

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 561. 
• - 0608.html "Another Feeder-Line Machine". Flight: 608. 21 June 1934. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
• - 0147.html "A Continental Feeder-Line Type". Flight: 77. 17 January 1935. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
• Den Ouden, Alex. "The aircraft designer Frederik (Frits) Koolhoven". Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
• Koolhoven Aeroplanes Foundation
• Уголок неба