Author Topic: Apophenia's Offerings  (Read 905839 times)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1750 on: March 24, 2018, 06:47:37 AM »
Fresh Fokker Fighters - the Fokker D.26 1e Serie and D.21/k Conversions

On 05 April 1939, the Dutch Ministrie van Defensie (MvD) offered an expedited development contract to NV Nederlandsche Vliegtuigenfabriek (Fokker) for its D.26 monoplane fighter. The performance advantage of the D.26 was significant enough to warrant an order ... but the Luchtvaart Afdeeling (LVA) was not exactly sure what to do with this new fighter. Some in the LVA saw the D.26 as a direct replacement for their obsolescing, fixed-gear D.XXI fighters. Another school of thought saw a completely new role for the D.26 as a dedicated onderscheppingsjager (interceptor). Others in the LVA proposed a more radical use as a high-speed fotoverkenner (photo-recce aircraft).

It was the Fokker design office which broke the LVA's conceptual log-jam. Anticipating that the D.XXI remaining in service as a fighter might make D.26 introduction a low priority, Fokker hatched a scheme. In this proposal, NV Ned. Vliegtuigenfabriek would buy back the in-service D.XXIs as part of the D.26 sales package. The turned-in D.XXIs would then be refurbished as grondaanvalvliegtuigen (ground attack aircraft) armed with twin 20 mm Madsen cannons for strafing ground targets.

Mooie hobbels (Lovely Bumps) - the Fokker D.21/k Cannon-Fighter

With a D.XXI trade-in/rebuild accepted by the MvD and LVA, design staff under Fokker directeur Ir. Piet Vos devised a refurbishment program. Fokker had already designed underwing 20 mm Madsen pods for Danish D.XXIs. This installation was adopted unchanged. The major changes for the LVA D.XXI rebuild was the application of armour protection - with the armour-glass windscreen meant for the D.26 being adopted along with hardened steel plates being installed in the floor and behind the pilot's seat. With this modifications, the D.XXI was to become the D.21/k (for kanonnen) ground-attack fighter.

The LVA turned in its first D.XXI to Fokker at Schiphol in October 1939. The conversion process was comparatively quick but, by then, the Fokker workforce was stretched to the limit. Meanwhile, a flight from 2e JaVa at Waalhaven was renumbered as 1e GroAanVa - the LVA's first dedicated ground attack squadron (despite still being equipped with standard Fokker D.XXI fighters). As 1e GroAanVa began receiving cannon-armed D.21/k aircraft, the unit was reassigned to Vliegpark Vlissingen on Walcheren.

The Walcheren location was chosen for a number of reasons. LVA planners had concluded that the cannon armament of the D.21/k could be effective against hostile river barges in wartime. Flying from Vlissingen, 1e GroAanVa would be able to help secure nearby Antwerp from enemy river transports. Also added to 1e GroAanVa's primary ground-attack mission were secondary roles of providing top cover for area Koninklijke Marine shipyards as well as acting as an OTU for a planned 2e GroAanVa. 1e GroAanVa was going to be busy.

Not realized by the time of the German attack were the anticipated wing bomb racks. The D.21/k was to be retrofitted with racks to carry four 25 kg (55 lb) light bombs. The firm of Van Heyst designed wing racks for the D.21/k and for the related D.21/b. However, like the racks designed by Van Heyst for the Fokker C.X, prototype bomb racks for the D.21/k proved unreliable. These problem-prone bomb racks were still being de-bugged in May 1940.

(Top) Fokker D.21/k 'Kanonnen-Jager' conversion 230 of 1e GroAanVa at Vlissingen, 11 May 1940. 230 would be lost to 'friendly' ground fire the following day.

First of the Fast Fokker Fighters - the D.26 1e Serie

The Fokker D.26 1e Serie was something of a half-way house - differing little from the D.21/il. [2] Other than having a retractable undercarriage and revised tailplane, the D.26 1e Serie was essentially a D.XXI. And, in part, that explains how Fokker was able to produce the D.26 1e Serie fighters so quickly. In reality, much of their airframes had been created using D.XXI spares and jigs. The D.26 1e Serie fighters were armed with four 7,9 mm FN-Browning machine guns synchronized to fire through the propeller disc. The 1e Serie featured an armour-glass windscreen but lacked the D.26's planned reflector gun sight and sliding canopy.

The production Fokker D.26 1e Serie fighters were intended for 1e JaVa based at Schiphol and Eelde. But 1e JaVa would receive its 1e Serie through a circuitous route. with the Netherlands' General Mobilization of August 1939, came a change of plans. A new fighter squadron was established specifically to introduce the D.26 - 5e JaVa stationed on a 'relief' field at at De Zilk in Zuid-Holland. 5e JaVa was also to act as the operational training unit for D.26 conversion. This decision also took pressure off existing fighter squadrons to trade-in their D.XXIs.

(Bottom) Fokker D.26 1e Serie fighter, 248, as delivered to 'Hulpvliegvelden' (Auxiliary Airfield) De Zilk in mid-September 1939.

Initially, 5e JaVa was equipped with a half dozen D.XXIs and the six D.26 1e Serie aircraft (243-248). By December of 1939, the D.XXIs were traded in for six new D.26 2e Serie fighters. When a second batch of six D.26 2e Serie aircraft arrived at De Zilk in late February 1940, 5e JaVa re-equipped completely with D.26 2e Serie fighters. (5e JaVa was overstrength to allow for the demands and potential cost of being an OTU.) The squadron's surplus D.26 1e Serie aircraft were then passed on to 1e JaVa.

The first 1e JaVa sub-unit to convert to new D.26s was the flight at Schiphol. Originally this Schiphol detachment was only a 3-aircraft flight of D.XXIs. However, the Schiphol unit was bumped up to 6-aircraft by raiding 1e JaVa's Eelde flight for trained pilots. [3] The Schiphol fighters were detailed to escort the dozen Fokker T.V medium bombers of BomVa (2-I-1 LvR) also based at Schiphol. Just before the German attack on 10 May 1940, 2e JaVA took over at Schiphol and 1e JaVA relocated to De Kooy.

_______________________________

[1] A related scheme anticipated the fitting of bomb racks to four-gunned D.21/b jachtbommenwerperen (fighter-bombers). These were to be D.XXIs fitted with the same armour protection as the D.21/k. Along with wing racks, a belly rack would allow a further 50 kg (110 lb) bomb to be carried under the fuselage.

[2] In its earliest phase of development, the D.26 was know internally at Fokker as Ontwerp 165.

[3] On 10 May 1940, the 'rump' 3-aircraft 1e JaVa flight at Eelde near Groningen had only just converted to D.26 1e Serie fighters.

[4] The D.21/il was armed and delivered to the LVA as part of the D.26 1e Serie contract. However, this hybrid retained its D.XXI-style tailplane and, so, did not represent a true D.26 1e Serie aircraft.

_______________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1751 on: March 24, 2018, 08:25:23 AM »
Wow those Fokkers are great even if I have to dock you points for de-spaterizing them.

With retractable gear they make me think of Curtiss Hawk 75s/P-36s.

You have enviable talent which is showcased nicely by these outstanding profiles!

Brian da Basher


Offline Tophe

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1752 on: March 24, 2018, 01:58:17 PM »
Be careful not to be burnt alive!: removing spats is heretic as destroying a twin-boom layout! ;)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1753 on: April 28, 2018, 03:55:10 AM »
Okay, a compromise ... partial spats  >:D

Interim Fokker Fighters - the Fokker D.26 4e Serie and SD.1 Combat Trainers

Republican Spain had purchased a production license to produce the Fokker D.XXI. This D.XXI variant differed from most in its choice of engine. In place of the usual Bristol Mercury, Spanish D.XXIs were to be powered by the Wright Cyclone - either US-built 775 hp powerplants or Soviet 710 hp M-25 radials. Production was begun at La Hispano Aviaciòn’s San Vincente del Raspeig facility near Alicante. Only one Hispano-built D.XXI was ever flown (its further fate going unrecorded). The remainder of this initial batch were still on the production line when the factory was overrun by advancing Nationalist forces in 1938.

Through circuitous contacts, NV Ned. Vliegtuigenfabriek cautiously approached the Spanish Nationalists about purchasing the Hispano parts. In early 1939, an offer was made to purchase all Spanish-built D.XXI components through a Mexican intermediary. A deal was struck and remaining Hispano components were crated and sent to the port of Alicante for shipment. To skirt Dutch embargo regulations, the crated D.XXI components were loaded aboard a Mexican-flagged cargo ship bound for Cuba. [1] In Havana, the parts were transferred to a Dutch-registered cargo vessel sailing home from the Dutch West Indies.

'Improvements?' - Renovating la Caza de Fokker

Hispano had planned to built 24 D.XXIs for Spain's Republican government. Only one Spanish aircraft was completed and flown (but its subsequent fate goes unrecorded). Of the remaining components, several airframes were incomplete and no Cyclone (or Soviet M-25) engines were included in the sale. Fokker's original intentions for the Spanish components were a little fuzzy. The initial concept was to complete the airframes as Wright-powered D.XXIs for quick export (by the beginning of 1939, many European air forces were desperate to re-equip with modern fighters). But plans shift ...

Fokker was over-loaded with work in 1939 and the MvD was becoming impatient with both the delivery rate of D.26 fighters and the repair schedule for several damaged LVA D.XXIs. In meetings between MvD officials and Fokker staff, it was agreed that the Spanish components would be redirected to the LVA. The two most complete Spanish-built airframes were fitted with Mercury engines as interim LVA D.XXI replacement aircraft. Other components were used to more quickly repair three damaged LVA D.XXIs.

'Laagdekker jachtvliegtuig met intrekbaar landingsgestel' - the Fourth Fokker

Six semi-finished Spanish airframes would be completed with new wings as D.26 4e Serie fighters. [2] These aircraft were more closely related to the 1e Serie than to the later-model D.26s. Minor differences in the 4e Serie resulted mainly from the use of Hispano's parts. The engine installation was identical to the 1e Serie D.26 but to speed development, the 4e Serie aircraft only mounted two machine guns. [3]

There were individual differences within the D.26 4e Serie batch as well. The first two 4e Serie fighters received reconditioned Mercury VII engines with added interrupter gears (the rest got Mercury VIIIs). D.26 4e Serie nr. 256-259 were armed with twin 7,9 mm FN-Browning guns. The final pair - nr. 260-261 - got two 13,2 mm FN-Brownings (weapons intended to arm 3e Serie fighters) as well as reflector gun sights. All of the 4e Serie D.26s were equipped for radio transmitters but none actually received an R/T set before 10 May 1940.

All six D.26 4e Serie fighters were delivered to the 3e Jachtvliegtuig Afdeling replacing D.XXIs. Moving from Soesterberg to Ypenburg, 3e JaVa became a mixed squadron. Despite its 'fighter squadron' designation, part of 3e JaVa was on hastily imported Northrop 8A1 attack aircraft. Introduction of the D.26 brought 3e JaVa back to real fighters but the Fokkers' primary role would be to escort the Northrops. This was made difficult with the lack of radios but that (and the reduced) armament also made the D.26 4e Serie a lighter, more spritely fighter.

(Bottom) D.26 4e Serie of 3e JaVa deployed to the emergency airfield at Ockenburg in early March 1940. Note that the 'Neutrality' markings prescribed in November 1939 have yet to be completely applied. The '4e' cowling marking was to alert armourers to 13,2 mm ammunition requirements.

Les- is More -- the Fokker SD.1 Lesvliegtuig (Lesson Plane)

The decision to complete Spanish-built D.XXI airframes as D.26s left Fokker with surplus wings and fixed undercarriages. Ir. Alfred Gassner had already begun design work on a D.XXI-derived 2-seat trainer. Ontwerp 197 was to be a general trainer powered by a 400 hp Wright R-975 Whirlwind. For this design to work as a fighter-trainer, it was decided that more power was needed. Accordingly the Ontwerp 197 (B) was evolved, powered by a more powerful 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp S1H1-G radial.

Originally, the Ontwerp 197 (B) was approved for LVA use as the Fokker S.11. However, before the prototype could fly, a new designation was adopted - SD.1, for the first dedicated fighter-trainer type. Being constructed almost entirely from modified Spanish parts, SD.1 production was quickly accomplished. [4] Six SD.1s were delivered to the LVA at Soesterberg by May 1940. All were then dispatched to De Zilk to serve as lead-in trainers for 5e JaVa.

In a change of plans, it was concluded that the SD.1s should be based at the training base at Vliegpark Vlissingen alongside Fokker S.IV and S.IX biplane trainers. This move was scheduled to begin on 15 May 1940, with the SD.1s resuming operations by the end of the month. Fate, however, would intervene ...

(Top) Fokker SD.1 two-seat trainer, attached to 5e JaVa, De Zilk in Zuid-Holland, 01 May 1940. The overall orange colour scheme of SD.1s was intended as an obvious 'Neutrality' marking.
__________________________________

[1] Through this ruse, NV Ned. Vliegtuigenfabriek was able to legally 'buy' these components from a Cuban handler.

[2] The fourth series was out of numerical sequence because the MvD had already issued orders for improved 2e and 3e Serie D.26 fighters for the LVA. The serials for the D.26 4e Serie aircraft were originally assigned to a third batch of 1e Serie (which was cancelled in favour of the 4e Serie).

[3] It was concluded that changes needed to introduce gun bays into the lower fuselage sides would result in excessive delays in service entry.

[4] The follow-on 2e Serie, the SD.1A, were to be built entirely from Dutch-made parts. Twelve SD.1A were ordered by the MvD in April 1940 but production work had yet to commence when the German invasion began.
__________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1754 on: April 28, 2018, 04:02:42 AM »
Final Fokker Fighters - the Fokker D.26 2e Serie and 3e Serie

The D.26 1e Serie was an interim fighter by design. By maintaining as much commonality as possible with the D.XXI, production of the D.26 1e Serie could be accomplished as quickly as possible. The D.26 4e Serie - with its Spanish-made parts - was, if anything, even more of a 'halfway house' than the 1e Serie fighters. It had always been planned that the ultimate D.26 airframe would introduce components from the non-interim Fokker fighters - the D.22 and D.24. [1]

'All Mod Cons' -  the Fokker D.26 2e Serie Fighter

The D.26 2e Serie could be be easily distinguished from its 1e Serie predecessor by the former's sliding canopy. Subtler changes could be seen in the 2e Serie's taller fin and rudder with cantilever horizontal tail surfaces. All such differences sprang from the planned Fokker D.24. Otherwise, the D.26 2e Serie was little changed. Plans to standardize on a gun armament of 13,2 mm calibre were not realized. Once again, speed of production and service entry trumped planned improvements.

A total of 18 D.26 2e Serie fighters were made in three batches. The first batch - nummers 262 to 267 - were delivered to 5e JaVa at De Zilk in December 1939. The second batch - 268 to 273 - followed in February 1940. Those two deliveries allowed 5e JaVa to standardize on the 2e Serie and release their 1e Serie machines to 1e JaVa. Unofficially dubbed the 'Duinknijnen' ('Poachers'), [2] most 5e JaVa aircraft were marked with the 'Wit konijn' emblem - a leaping white rabbit symbolizing the squadron's potential prey. Some 5e JaVa staff had grumbled about being stuck in out-of-the-way, wind-swept De Zilk. However, this would prove to be a blessing on 10 May 1940.

[Top] D.26 2e Serie fighter of 5e JaVa, De Zilk, January 1940. Inset, 5e JaVa's 'Duinknijnen' emblem.

The final batch of D.26 2e Serie fighters - 274 to 279 - went to 1e JaVa at Eelde in March 1940. There they joined 1e JaVa's D.26 1e Serie fighters (which were ex-5e JaVa). Pilots found little to choose between the two variants. The 2e Serie were slightly faster although this was offset by the weight of the R/T set fitted to most 2e Serie fighters. Compared with the 1e Serie, the D.26 2e Serie had more a little control 'authority' as a result of their enlarged tail surfaces. Pilot opinions were divided over the pros and cons of the sliding canopy ... but not over the benefits of the new reflector sights.

Third Time Lucky? - the Fokker D.26 3e Serie Fighters

With D.26 2e Serie production complete, Fokker shifted its attention to building 3e Serie fighters. Once again, production urgency hampered the introduction of planned improvements. It had been intended that the D.26 3e e Serie would finally introduce four synchronized 13,2 mm machine guns but overworked FN was having trouble delivering this heavier armament. [3] Instead, the 3Serie were armed with the same quartet of 7,9 mm FN-Brownings which armed the 1e and 2e Serie fighters. As a result, the D.26 3e Serie differed only in minor details from the earlier 2e Serie.

A minor difference with the D.26 3e Serie was the ability to mount a bomb rack without modification. This belly rack was to be stressed to carry a single 100 kg (220 lb) bomb. No such racks were delivered by the manufacturer, van Heyst (or van Heijst) so no LVA D.26 3e Serie fighter even carried a bomb in combat during the May 1940 fighting.

About the only external visual clue to the D.26 3e Serie was its forward-canted radio mast (when fitted). Internally there were minor structural changes to speed production and some variations in equipment. Still, it was found in the field, that almost all parts from the D.26 3e Serie could be swapped with those from a 2e Serie fighter. [4]

Deliveries of Fokker D.26 3e Serie fighters began in late March and early April 1940. All 3e Serie fighters went to 2e JaVa at Schiphol, arriving in three sub-batches. The first trio - nummers 380 to 382 - arrived by the end of April. [5] They were joined at Schiphol over the next month by 384-386 and 387-392. A further batch of Serie 3e D.26s - 393 to 398 - were scheduled for delivery to 1e JaVa at De Kooy in June of 1940.

This final variant of realized production D.26s was not the fighter it was meant to be. But the D.26 Serie 3e must not be sold short. Overall, the Serie 3e were the best-equipped D.26s and, doubtless, that contributed to the war record of this Series in May 1940.

(Bottom) D.26 3e Serie of 2e JaVa at De Kooy on 12 May 1940. Note the canted radio mast of the 3e Serie. This fighter shows signs of battle-damage hastily repaired with doped-on fabric patches.
__________________________________

[1] Both D.22 and D.24 designs featured inward-retracting undercarriages and wing-mounted armaments. The D.22 was proposed with a radial (Bristol Hercules, Ontwerp 150) or inline (Rolls-Royce Merlin or Daimler-Benz DB 600, Ontwerp 151) powerplant. The slightly smaller D.24 was to have a Bristol radial (Perseus X or Taurus III, Ontwerp 192). Neither D.22 nor D.24 was ever built.

[2] 'Duinknijnen' was a nickname for Zilkers who poached to fill their pots and pockets.

[3] The few 13,2 mm FN-Brownings delivered prior to 10 May 1940 were all installed in 4e Serie D.26s.

[4] The sliding canopy was an exception. The 2e Serie canopy required a small notch to accommodate the forward-place radio mast. As 3e Serie production progressed, this now-superfluous notch was eliminated to save time and effort. Thus, a 2e Serie canopy could be re-used on a 3e Serie airframe but not vice-versa.
__________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1755 on: April 28, 2018, 04:48:04 AM »
Interestingly, Finland did develop a version of the Fokker D.XXI with retractable undercarriage.  It retracted inwards rather than outwards though.  Apparently, the performance gain wasn't as good as hoped.


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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1756 on: May 01, 2018, 06:07:07 AM »
Thanks for the images Greg. Apparently there were two versions of the RW 'Wasp-Fokker' with retractable undercarriages. The 3.sarja FRw-117 was a January 1941 conversion. The 4.sarja FRw-167 was completed with the retractable gear in March 1942. After an undercarriage collapse in July 1941, FRw-117 was converted back to its original gear. FRw-167 was also converted to a spatted undercarriage in the summer of 1944.

More on Finnish D.26s later ...
____________________________________________________

An Innocent Abroad? - Fokker's D.26 Export Efforts

Fokker's efforts to export the D.26 fighter received considerable attention abroad. Several alternative engines were offered for export versions, including the British Bristol Taurus III or Perseus X and the US Wright Cyclone or Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radials. The Bristol alternatives were both planned for use in the Fokker D.24. The Cyclone installation was considered proven by the Hispano-built D.XXI (although Fokker had no performance data for that installation). The Twin Wasp needed to be proven, however, and a trial installation was planned.

Estonia, Finland, and Denmark all expressed interest in basic, Mercury-powered D.26s. By May 1940, no orders had been received from the former pair - although Finland would later operate the D.26. The strongest interest came from Denmark.

Denmark's Marinejager - the Unrealized 'Ny fælles jager type'

In 1940, the Danish navy was looking for modern, monoplane fighters to replace obsolete Hawker Nimrod biplanes (L.B.V aka 'Nimrod-jagerfly'). Orlogsvæft, the Naval Aircraft Factory, proposed an original design. However, the stated preference of the Marinens Flyvevæsen (MF) was the Fokker D.XXI for commonality with the Hærens Flyvetropper (HF, Army Aviation Troops). Marinestaben (Maritime Staff), on the other hand prefered the Macchi MC.200 ('C.200 jagerfly') with its more modern retractable undercarriage. A procurement stalemate ensued.

The Danish parliment broke the log-jam with a decision to introduce a 'Ny fælles jager type' (NFJT or 'New Common Fighter Type'). The obvious choice for the Folketing committee was a Danish Fokker D.26 derivative. [1] Under the NFJT scheme, production of the new Fokker fighter would be divided between Army and Navy facilities. To supply the MF's urgent need, production by Orlogsvæft would be given priority. Meanwhile, the Fokker D.XXI (aka IIIJ or Hærens Flyvertroppers 3. jagertype) would remain in service with 2.Eskadrille until replaced by new 'Fokker-jageren'. [2]

For both services, the NFJT would be known as the D.26D (although, within HF planning, terms like IVJ, 'Tredje jagerfly', and 'Hærens Flyvertroppers 4. jagertype' would also be used). The first D.26D to enter service were meant to be with the MF's 2.Luftflotille at Luftmarinestation Avnø (80 km SW of Copenhagen). The D.26D was to be powered by a Mercury VIII and armed with four 8 mm Madsen machine guns. Unfortunately for the Danes, work on the new 'Fokker-jageren' had only just begun in April 1940. The MF's 2.Lf went to war flying obsolete L.B.V 'Nimrod-jagerfly'. The HF's Fokker D.XXIs were largely destroyed on the ground by Luftwaffe attacks on Værløse airfield.

(Top) Danish NFJT (Ny fælles jager type) Fokker D.26D as it would have appeared in Hærens Flyvetropper colours

Une chasse de Fokker pour l'Armee de l'Air?

A Cyclone-powered Fokker - the D.26 JI - had been proposed for the Netherlands East Indies. As with the fixed-gear D.XXI before it, the KNIL continued to lean towards more expensive American designs. As war in Europe loomed, the 'Jager Indie' design was revamped for potential export. The Cyclone-powered  D.26F was an unsolicited bid to provide a fighter to the French military.

The D.26F was to be and armed with four synchronized 7,5 mm FN-Browning machine guns. Fokker saw its D.26F as a superior 'colonial fighter' - ie: a replacement for the rival Koolhoven F.K.58. [3] But the D.26F was also pitched to the French as a less expensive substitute for the Curtiss 75A fighter. Unlike the Koolhoven, the D.26F would place no stress on French engine suppliers. Although the French STAé reported favorably on the D.26 generally, the Armée de l'Air showed no immediate interest in Fokker's unexpected proposal.

'Go North, Young Man' - den Norske Fokker

An American-engined D.26 was more tempting for Norway (which was suffering from 'sticker shock' on its panic-buy of Curtiss 75A-8s). A Pratt & Whitney engine would have been desirable for Norway - for its commonality with the Curtiss fighter. Unfortunately, the Twin Wasp-powered D.26 had yet to be offered. The single-row Cyclone was simpler to adapt to the D.26 airframe and Norway badly needed a monoplane replacement for its Gloster Gladiators. Negotiations for the purchase of a dozen Norwegian 'Cyclone-Fokkers' were underway when Germany invaded the country.

(Bottom) Wright Cyclone-powered D.26N

Interest in the 'Cyclone-Fokker' also came from other nations less capable of paying for new fighter aircraft - including Portugal and Greece. [4] More serious attention came from Sweden which was interested in a Twin Wasp-powered variant. Sweden had just been frozen out of its American fighter purchases by a US embargo. Alas, the Netherlands was overrun by the Germans before details could be finalized for a Swedish purchase. A D.26 Twin Wasp conversion was nearing completion at the Fokker factory when it was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombing.

_____________________________________________

[1] At Fokker, the planned 'D.26 (Denemarken)' or 'D.26/Deense marine' was regarded as a D.26 1e Serie derivative.

[2] Plans existed to form a new fighter Eskadrille but the HF had also become interested in the D.XXI/k ground-attack fighter concept. No final decision had been made by 09 April 1940.

[3] The F.K.58 was designed by former-Fokker chief designer, Dr-Ir Erich Schatzki. As a German of Jewish origin, Dr-Ir Schatzki may have regretted his 1938 move to N.V. Koolhoven Vliegtuigen. Frits Koolhoven would later join the Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging, a Dutch Nazi movement.

[4] Greece had also enquired about Gnome-Rhône 14K-powered D.26s (for commonality with its PZL P.24s). Fokker judged that there would be a limited market for such a variant and substitutes were impractical - the Gnome-Rhône 14N having no facility for synchronized gun mechanisms.

_____________________________________________


Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1757 on: May 01, 2018, 06:08:56 AM »
Motorloos of Gewijzigd - Modified Fokker D.26 Fighters

One D.26 3e Serie fighter was taken from the production line for completion as an alternative engine testbed. In the initial plan, D.26 nr. 383 was to trial the installation of a 1,350 hp Bristol Hercules III radial as intended for the Fokker D.22 (Ontwerp 150 variant). This concept proceeded only so far as a mockup installation of a dummy engine.

(Top) Dummy Bristol Hercules engine trial-installed in Fokker D.26 nr. 383

There had been some doubts expressed by the MvD's Chef der Wetensch.Afd. (Head of the Science Department) as to whether the D.26 airframe was too light for the heavy Bristol engine. Before a definitive conclusion could be drawn, another priority rose to the top of the list - preparing current-production Dutch aircraft for alternative powerplants. This was to circumvent concerns of engine supplies from European combatants drying up due to embargoes on neutral countries or other wartime actions.

The proposed alternative engine for the D.26 (and the projected Fokker D.24) was the 1,100 hp US Pratt & Whitney R-1830-G205A Twin Wasp. A variant of Twin Wasp was already in LVA service, powering the Northrop 8A attack aircraft attached to 3e JaVa. In late March 1940, work began at the Fokker factory to convert nr. 383 to 'Wasp-D.26' standard. This Twin Wasp conversion remained incomplete when German bombing of the Fokker factory on 12 May 1940 destroyed the aircraft.

(Bottom) 'Wasp-D.26' - the incompleted conversion of D.26 nr. 383 to R-1830-G205A Twin Wasp

__________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1758 on: May 01, 2018, 06:11:05 AM »
Forlorn Fokker Fighters - the Unbuilt Fokker D.22 and D.24 Projects

Fokker had first put forward a replacement concept for the D.XXI back in 1937. The proposed D.22 looked superficially like a D.XXI with a retractable undercarriage but there was no commonality. As initially planned, the D.22 was marginally larger, with a full metre of additional span. More importantly, the traditional Fokker mixed construction was to be replaced with a stressed-skin metal structure.

The D.22 could be powered by either an air-cooled radial or liquid-cooled V-12. The air-cooled variant - or Ontwerp 150, to give it its project designation - was to be powered by a Bristol Hercules radial. The liquid-cooled type - or Ontwerp 151 - would have either the German Daimler-Benz DB 600H or the British Rolls-Royce Merlin. By 1939, the D.22 concepts had been joined by a rather less ambitious project - the D.24 or Ontwerp 192.

The D.24 was slightly smaller than the D.22 - so, more in line with the original D.XXI in size. Armament was to be six 7,9 mm FN-Browning machine guns mounted in the wings. Power was to be provided by either a twin-row Bristol Taurus III or single-row Bristol Perseus X - both sleeve-valve radials. Thus, Fokker provided a wealth of choices to the Dutch military ... choices which seemed to paralyze both the MvD and KNIL (Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger/Royal Netherlands East Indies Army). [1]

The KNIL's air arm, the Luchtvaartafdeling van het Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger, preferred American fighters to the Fokker designs. By March 1939, when the LA/KNIL was rebranded as the Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger, US production was already in hot demand by the better-financed French and British forces. The ML/KNIL was forced to rethink its strategy ... but had left things a little late. [2]

The 'domestic' LVA and MLD had slightly clearer ideas on future fighters. It had become clear that the only advantage of the D.22 was its ability (in Ontwerp 150 form) to accommodate the big Hercules radial engine. However, Bristol informed Fokker that local demand for Hercules was growing while demand on the smaller Taurus radial was not. [3] As a rationalization, the Ontwerp 150 was dropped from the program. The Ontwerp 151 was then revised to adapt liquid-cooled engines to a smaller, D.24-style airframe.

The revised Ontwerp 151 program was divided by engine choice - British or German. For what was now the Ontwerp 151D, Daimler-Benz offered either the carburettored DB 600H or fuel-injected DB 601Aa engine. Both 'DB' powerplants could accommodate a single motor-kanonne firing through a hollow shaft. [4]

The rival British engine had no motor-kanonne capability but still had several advantages from the points of view of both the MvD and Fokker. The Ministrie van Defensie had a successful procurement relationship with Rolls-Royce dating back to 1919. Fokker also had a successful association with Rolls-Royce - especially through the Derby's supply of Kestrel engines through the 1930s. The Merlin also had a higher thrust-line than the Daimler - an important factor on the Netherland's grass airfields.

(Bottom) Fokker D.22 (Ontwerp 151M) fighter concept, Rolls-Royce Merlin III engine

The Fokker D.24 (Ontwerp 192) design was adjusted somewhat for maximum commonality with the revised D.22 airframe. Emphasis was now on the Taurus-powered Ontwerp 192T with the Perseus-powered Ontwerp 192P as a backup. US engine alternative variants were, respectively, the Twin Wasp-powered Ontwerp 192W and the Cyclone-powered Ontwerp 192C. All versions of the D.24 fighter were planned with machine gun armaments.

(Top) Fokker D.24 (Ontwerp 193T) fighter concept, Bristol Taurus III engine

The Fokker D.24 was a good design but it is unlikely that it would have provided much advantage over the in-production D.26. A better bet might have been the D.22/Ontwerp 151M. With the added performance of this Merlin-powered D.22, this fighter would have complemented the serving D.26s. As it was, Fokker already had too many projects on its plate and an all-metal fighter was beyond its reach in 1940.

______________________________________

[1] It was hoped that the KNIL would accept the D.24 - in its Cyclone-powered Ontwerp 193C form - for its Indische Jachtvliegtuig contest.

[2] In the end, the 'Indië-Jager' program was dragged out until the only fighter available to the ML/KNIL was the indifferent Curtiss-Wright Demon.

[3]  The only Taurus-powered RAF type in production was the Bristol Beaufort torpedo-bomber.

[4] The default choices were Madsen cannons in 20 or 23 mm calibre. The 20 mm Oerlikon FF had been trialled in the first production Finnish D.XXI and was found wanting in performance.

______________________________________
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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1759 on: May 02, 2018, 02:11:07 AM »
 :smiley:
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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1760 on: May 03, 2018, 03:56:02 AM »
Unrealized Projects Related to the Fokker D.26 Fighter

Plans existed for the production of a 5e Serie batch of D.26 fighters for the Marine Luchtvaartdienst (Naval Air Service). The MLD placed an order for twelve Fokker D.26 5e Serie but only minimal work had begun on these aircraft at the time of the German invasion. The MLD anticipated delivery of its first 5e Serie fighters (with full naval equipment) in late July 1940. The MLD's D.26s were to be delivered to De Kooy (near the Den Helder naval base). [1] None were completed but several marinevliegers flew as temporarily-assigned members of the LVA's 1e JaVa - including triple-scorer Andrias van Rest of the MLD's 2-VIG-IV.

The proposed Fokker D.26 6e Serie was held as a possibility by the MvD should delays continue with development of Fokker's more powerful, all-metal D.22 and D.24 fighter series. At the time of the German invasion, no firm decisions had been made as to whether the 6e Serie would be powered by the British Mercury or US Twin Wasp engine. Similarly, no definitive armament choices had been made (although it is generally assumed that four synchronized 13,2 mm FN-Browning guns would be fitted).

From the beginning, it was planned to incorporate elements from Fokker's more advanced D.22 and D.24 projects into the D.26 series fighters. What most limited the potential of the D.26 was the Mercury engine inherited from the D.XXI. The installation of more powerful engines was all but inevitable.

The proposed Fokker D.27 fighter was very closely related to the D.26 airframe. No MvD decision had been taken on ordering the D.27, largely because of engine supply concerns. The D.27 was essentially a Hybrid of D.26 and D.24 airframes - combining the wings and undercarriage of the D.26 with the semi-monocoque rear fuselage of the D.24. Powerplant was to be the Daimler-Benz DB 600H or DB 601Aa inline engine from the D.22 (Ontwerp 151 variant). The difficulty for the MvD was in assessing whether supplies of German engines could be relied upon. [2]

(Top) Fokker D.27DB (Daimler-Benz) fighter concept showing DB 601Aa installation

Another D.26 derivative with engine-supply issues was the SD.2 two-seat trainer. This could be thought of an advanced version of the D.XXI-based SD.1 trainer. D.26 wings were to be used complete with their fully retractable main undercarriage members. In place of the SD.1's bulky radial engine, the SD.2 was originally planned to have the more streamlined Walter Saggita air-cooled inverted V-12 from the Fokker D.23 fighter. [3] Two Saggita-powered variants were planned - the unarmed SD.2A and the SD.2B armaments trainer fitted with twin, cowl-mounted 7,9 mm FN-Brownings.

The Saggita-powered SD.2 concept was put in peril when Germany occupied Bohemia-Moravia - the site of the Walter plant - in March 1939. Fokker immediately began a redesign for alternative engines. The Italian Isotta-Fraschini Gamma was rejected as an immature design while the Menasco E12SG Brigand failed to appear at all. [4] This left the bulkier American Ranger V-12 as the only suitable substitute engine. As before, two variants were planned - the unarmed SD.2C and the SD.2D armaments trainer.

(Bottom) Fokker SD.2C - D.26-based unarmed 2-seat trainer concept

__________________________________

[1] Technically, Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy was a naval airfield. It was 1e JaVa which acted as a lodger unit.

[2] The D.22 (Ontwerp 151) had the option of a Daimler-Benz alternative - the British Rolls-Royce Merlin. However, the D.27's synchronized, fuselage-mounted armament would prevent such a substitution.

[3] The D.23 was, itself, being eclipsed by the single-engined D.29 fighter. Influenced by Theo van Slot's De Schelde S.22 design, the D.29's now-engineless nose was redesigned with an emphasis on the ground-attack role.

[4] The Menasco E12SG Brigand was to have been a 17.8 L (1,088 cid) inverted V-12. In effect, the Brigand was to consist of paired D6SG cylinder blocks on a common crankcase. The E12SG-1N proposed for the SD.2 was to produce 750 hp for takeoff (3,000 rpm at sea-level) with a sustained 675 hp at altitude. (The E12 series was to replace the more complicated Unitwin inverted U-12 but foundered after Al Menasco was forced out of the firm in 1938.)
__________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1761 on: May 03, 2018, 04:02:06 AM »
I started writing a whole storyline on the D.26 but decided that it was far too wordy. So, instead, I'm going to chop the whole affair down into a pair of extended captions for one image...
________________________________

Dan komen de Duitsers aan ... The Fokker D.21/k Cannon-Fighter at War

(Top) A disabled Fokker D.21/k shot up on Schouwen by retreating Dutch troops. Note that, like several 1e GroAanVa D.21/ks, nr. 233 has had its spat fairings removed.

On 10 May 1940, 1e GroAanVa was directed to attack German airborne forces landing on Rotterdam-Waalhaven airfield. At the periphery of the base, the 'Kanonnen-Jagers' were caught in a withering crossfire of both enemy and 'friendly' defensive fire. The 1e GroAanVa flight beat a hasty retreat from the unfriendly skies  of Waalhaven with four of the eight Fokkers damaged by ground fire. [1]

Despite varying degrees of battle-damage, seven of the D.21/ks recovered successfully to [/i]Vliegveld[/i] Vlissingen. However, the fuel tank of nr. 233 had been holed and, low on petrol, 2.lt-vl SJ Postma had to put his Fokker down in a farmer's field near Zierikzee on Schouwen. The pilot was able to arrange a boat ride across to Nord-Beveland and, from their arrange transport back to Walcheren. Postma rejoined 1e GroAanVa but no time or energy could be invested in repairing nr. 233.

Dutch reservists on Schouwen guarded the abandoned D.21/k, expecting a recovery attempt by the LVA. But, when German troops began landing on the island on 13 May, it was clear that quick action was required. Empty fuel tank precluded setting the aircraft ablaze. Instead, the Dutch soldiers shot at what they assumed to be critical points before disposing of their small arms. [2] An advance patrol of German Feldpolizei captured nr. 233 but the D.21/k's flying says were over.

Het einde - The Fokker 1e Serie D.26 Fighter in May 1940

With De Kooy airfield in flames, 1e JaVa survivors, Sergeants Jaap Eden and PJ 'Oppe' Aarts [3] engaged a formation of KG 4 Ju 88A bombers heading for Den Helder. Aarts engaged the lead bomber, seeing pieces fly off as he swept past. A second Junkers was also damaged as he emptied his magazines into the bomber. Sgt-vl Jaap Eden wasn't as lucky. Overly intent on his first target, Eden collided head-on with the Ju 88. Both aircraft fell into the Marsdiep tidal-race between Den Helder and Texel Island.

Rather than risk the recently-strafed De Kooy, res.sgt-vl Aarts headed for the De Vlijt fighter-school strip on Texel. On approach, 'Oppe' discovered that he had no hydraulic pressure. Low on fuel and out of options, he belly landed D.26 nr. 243 as gently as he could on the grass field. The last LVA D.26 1e Serie fighter was now out of action. [4]

(Bottom) Res.sgt-vl Aarts' D.26 1e Serie down on the De Vlijt airstrip on Texel.

The name painted on nr. 243's forward fuselage was 'Helsdeur' (Hell's Door), a pun on the name of Den Helder where 1e JavA was based. The 'Helsdeur' name was applied by the 1e JaVa commander 1.lt-vl HAJ Huddleston Släter, the fighter's previous 'owner'. Huddleston Släter was wounded when cannon strikes from a Bf 109 hit around the cockpit. That accounts for some of the extensive evidence of emergency battle-damage repairs prior to D.26 nr. 243. Having lost his own fighter, [5] Aarts took over nr. 243 when the 1e JaVa commander was hospitalized.

________________________________

[1] Some of that damage was done by Ju 52/3m gunners on the ground but Waalhaven's four Spandau M.25 heavy machine guns were the most effective.

[2] It's not clear when nr. 233 lost its portside cannon fairing - it may have been part of an attempt to sabotage the Madsen gun.

[3] Petrus Johannes Aarts' nickname was a play on his surname (aarts = chief, opperste = supreme).

[4] In the summer of 1940, the Germans recovered D.26 nr. 243 from Texel. It was later broken down for spares before being sold to Finland.

[5] D.26 nr. 247's engine had been hit by defensive fire from a Do 17Z early on 11 May. Aarts diverted to the relief field at Ijselmeer but, with a windscreen covered in oil, he was unable to see obstacles placed on the airfield to prevent enemy glider landings.
________________________________
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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1762 on: May 03, 2018, 04:08:29 AM »
'For you, the war is not over!' - the Fokker D.26 Abroad

Several captured D.26s were tested by the Germans as potential fighter-trainers for Luftwaffe use in the Netherlands. [1] Perfunctory trials were undertaken at Schiphol before the RLM declared the D.26s surplus to Luftwaffe requirements. Shortly afterwards, the Germans offered the available D.26s to the Finns.

(Top) An ex-LVA D.26 3e Serie being evaluated by the Luftwaffe for use as a fighter-trainer

In mid-1942, the Finnish Air Attaché in Berlin had approached the Luftwaffe about the possible sale of ex-LVA Fokker D.XXIs and spares to the Ilmavoimat. By this stage, the Germans had access to superior fighter trainers and were content to rid themselves of the remaining D.XXIs. At the same time, the RLM offered the remaining D.26s in German hands as another potential sources of spares for Ilmavoimat D.XXIs.

The Finns happily accepted these German 'war spoils'. The Ilmavoimat placed both ex-Dutch D.XXIs and D.26s into active service. Of the dozen D.XXIs, four were in rough enough condition to be broken up for spares. A well-worn 2e Serie D.26 was also reduced to produce to keep the other six flying. Finnish D.26s were dispersed amongst 2/TLeLv 12 (an Operational Training Unit), 1/LeLv 32, and 3/TLeLv 35.

For the fighter-recce role, several D.26s were fitted with 'Wasp-Fokker'-style extended canopy glazing. One aircraft (FRm-147) was trialled with a Finnish-devised belly bomb rack.

(Bottom) A refurbished 1e serie (1.sarja) D.26 with 3/TLeLv 35. Note that this D.26 has inherited a cowling from a VL-built D.XXI, gained a new Revi gunsite, and has a tail ski fitted. FRm-147 shows evidence of former 'ownership' by LeLv 32.

At one stage, Valtion Lentokonetehdas (VL, the State Aircraft Factory) considered putting a reverse engineered 3.sarja D.26 into production at Tampere. Mercury engines were in short supply, so the Finnish D.26 was to be powered by Soviet 1,100 hp M-63 radials bought - like the ex-LVA D.26s - from German 'war booty' stocks. In the end, it was decided to proceed with the domestic Myrsky fighter design instead. [2] This proved an unfortunate decisions as Myrsky development was troubled and prolonged with the VL fighter never seeing combat action with the Ilmavoimat.

In Finnish service, the  Mercury-engined D.XXI was dubbed 'Ukkomokkeri' (Lighthouse) or 'Isämokkeri' (Father Mokker). For unknown reasons, the D.26 picked up odd nick-names in Finnish service. One was 'Murikka' (Mushroom), another was 'Noita' (Witch). A third, rather more flattering nickname was 'Lumikki' (Snow White) - perhaps derived from the all-over white camouflage in which the Finnish D.26 first served. Two 'Lumikki' fighters - both 3.sarjan airframes - survived the Continuation War to serve postwar with 2/LLv30 as advanced trainers.

______________________________________

[1] It was thought that the D.26's outward-retracting main undercarriage might make it a useful advanced trainer leading to the Bf 109. This idea was dropped when it was realized that the handling characteristics of the German fighter were completely different from those of the D.26.

[2] The VL Myrsky used fewer strategic materials - being of primarily wooden construction - and was powered by the more reliable Swedish-made SFA Twin Wasp SC3-G engine.
______________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Logan Hartke

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1763 on: May 03, 2018, 08:25:37 AM »
Very nice, Apophenia! Think you'll do a version of the D.27DB with its shirt on?

Cheers,

Logan

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1764 on: May 05, 2018, 04:36:16 AM »
Thanks Logan! Here is a revised view of the proposed D.27DB accompanied by an impression of what the D.27 might have looked like had it entered LVA service. I'm assuming that the cowling would have looked similar regardless of whether the DB 600H or DB 601A engine was chosen.

The 'operational' aircraft is shown with DB 601Aa engine, MG FF motor-kannone, and twin cowl-mounted 7,9 mm FN-Brownings. The smaller machine guns would be dictated by continuing supply problems with the 13,2 mm FNs.

On the other hand, the Luftwaffe didn't seem all that impressed with the engine-mounted MG FF. So, if the Nazis had respected Dutch neutrality, other D.27 variants can be imagined. Perhaps, once 13,2 mm supplies improved, three heavy machine guns with one firing through the propeller hub? Or, possibly, just twin 13,2s with a DB 601N for higher intercept performance for deterrence?

Besides engine supply risks, an obvious downside to an operation D.27 with motor-kannone would be the introducion of yet another 20 mm round into LVA service - for Madsen, Solothurn, Scotti, and now Oerlikon guns  :P
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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1765 on: May 05, 2018, 04:42:45 AM »
Hmmm...those alongside some similarly powered Fokker G.1s would be interesting.
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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1766 on: May 05, 2018, 05:54:58 AM »
Hmmm ... back at ya. Might just have a go at that over the weekend  ;)
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Offline AXOR

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1767 on: May 05, 2018, 05:37:20 PM »
Nice Fokker family  :smiley:
Alex

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1768 on: May 06, 2018, 02:08:36 AM »
Hmmm ... back at ya. Might just have a go at that over the weekend  ;)

My work here is done... ;)
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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1769 on: May 10, 2018, 03:21:20 AM »
As promised ... BTW, these Daimler-powered G.1s are based on a sideview by Chris Sandham-Bailey. (I forgot to mention that the D.26s were all based on various  D.XXI sideviews by Thierry Dekker.)

(Top) The last of four pre-production Fokker G.1Ds, production line conversions of semi-completed G.1A fighters for Republican Spain. G.1D models had wing centre-section coolant radiators mounted on either side of the crew nacelle. Armament was 8 x forward-firing 7,9 mm FN-Brownings and one flexible FN gun in the tail cone mount.

(Bottom) One of six production-model Fokker G.4 fighters completed before the German invasion. G.4s had their coolant radiators moved to the outer wing panels. Armament was 4 or 6 x forward-firing 13,2 mm FN-Browning machine guns and one flexible 7,9 mm FN in the tail cone.

_______________________

BTW, doing a Google Image search, I discovered that Wiek Luijken - an AD at Electronic Arts - had already done a very nice Daimler-powered G.1 and another with Merlin engines:

http://www.luijken.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/db601g1.jpg
http://www.luijken.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/merling1.jpg
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1770 on: May 10, 2018, 03:32:10 AM »
And a pair of Ilmavoimat Fokker G.1As ... just 'cuz.

As before, this is based upon a Chris Sandham-Bailey sideview (in this case, of a Luftwaffe G.1A). In this scenario, the German's are passing along previously captured aircraft to allies in preparation for Unternehmen Barbarossa.

(Top) Ex-Flugzeugführerschule (B) 8 Fokker G.1A in Ilmavoimat service, August 1942. FG-8 would be lost during a strafing attack on the Murmansk railway in February 1943.

(Bottom) Ilmavoimat Fokker G.1A after mid-1943 refurbishment and modification by the VL state aircraft factory. Mods include twin 20 mm guns [1] added to the forward-firing armament, wing bomb-racks, dust filters on the carb intakes, etc.
_____________________________________

[1] Cannons were either 20 ItK/39 Madsen or aircraft-adapted 20 ItK/40 VKT 'Vekotin' guns.
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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1771 on: May 11, 2018, 12:27:41 AM »
 :smiley: :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1772 on: May 12, 2018, 03:20:43 AM »
Inspired by Carlos' single-seat Tornado ...

Panavia 100 Panther

The Panavia 100 single-seat fighter was a real project. In the early days of the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, the Panavia 100 was developed alongside its 2-seat Panavia 200 counterpart. So, what if the development of the Panavia 100 had continued?

Panavia's object was maximum commonality between its single- and 2-seat aircraft. Invariably, though, external differences beyond the canopies would begin to appear by the time the go-ahead for the single-seat version was issued by German and Italy in 1974. [1] The production Panavia 100 Panther had a shorter forward fuselage than the 2-seat Panavia 200 Tornado. The radomes were also of a subtlely different shape. [2] Harder to notice was that the Panther's vertical tail had a slightly narrower chord than that of the bigger Tornado.

In both German Luftwaffe and Italian AMI service, the Panavia 100s replaced F-104 Starfighters in the fighter-bomber role. In effect, the Panther followed the pattern of the Soviet Flogger series - designed as a variable-geometry frontal fighter (the MiG-23) but finding its forté as a ground-attack aircraft (the MiG-27).

Shown here is a Luftwaffe Panavia Panther in a well-worn Norm 90J camouflage scheme. On the vertical tail, MARINE titles have been crudely overpainted and JaBoG 33 markings applied. [3] The rather scruffy appearance of this heavily-used German Panther contrasts with the generally neat condition of Italian Panteras.
___________________________

[1] Canada withdrew very early in MRCA development while the United Kingdom participated only in the 2-seat Tornado section of this programme.

[2] The two aircraft used completely different radar systems - Tornados having Texas Instruments multi-mode terrain-following sets, Panthers having the Ferranti AI.23P Airpass III monopulse radar.

[3] All Marinefliegergeschwader 1 Panthers were transferred to the Luftwaffe in exchange for used Tornado IDS.
___________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1773 on: May 12, 2018, 03:33:47 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1774 on: May 15, 2018, 04:29:57 AM »
A quickie retouch for Tophe (in absentia) ... a twin-boomed Stearman XA-21.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."