Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Fokker C.I

1918 WORLD WAR 1

Fokker C.I History

The Fokker CI was a biplane developed under the banner of the German Empire during the First World War (1914-1918). It appeared at a pivotal moment in the German war effort, but could not be mass-produced until the end of the war in November 1918.

However, the line gained new hope when Fokker moved to the Netherlands after the war to avoid German debt. This marks the return of the company originally founded by Anthony Fokker in the Netherlands in 1912.

Despite the armistice, Fokker managed to smuggle parts from Germany for their new biplane and built a prototype of the "V.38" reconnaissance platform. The plane was typical of what was seen at the time - biplane layout, fixed landing gear, and two seats for the pilot and observer. The engine is in the forward compartment, the crew is in the midship, and the conventional tail is in the stern. The upper and lower wing main wing spans are supported by a strut network, and the main support beams are N-type elements. The hull is relatively rounded at the front (near the metal-covered engine section) and then the plate side for most of its length.

The platform carries a fixed forward-firing machine gun for use by the pilot, while the rear crew receives a trainable machine gun to protect the aircraft's vulnerable "Six". Additionally, the aircraft is designed to carry 110 pounds of conventional airdrop items.

In all respects, the C.III was basically an enlarged version of the wartime Fokker D.VII of which over 3,300 were produced. The new aircraft measures 23.8 feet in length, with a wingspan of 34.4 feet and a height of 9.4 feet. Curb weight is 1,885 lbs and total weight is 2,765 lbs.

Power for the base comes from a liquid-cooled 6-cylinder inline BMW IIIa series engine producing 185 hp. This gives the crew a top speed of 109 mph, a range of up to 200 miles and a service ceiling of up to 13,125 feet.

The first flight was recorded in 1918, near the end of the war. The armistice canceled all serial production efforts in Germany, forcing Fokker to move operations elsewhere. The Dutch government was interested, and they commissioned 16 prototypes of this type as "C.I" in February 1919, which had a dual function - training and reconnaissance.

The line experienced another production boom in 1921 when the Soviet Union requested 42, and the U.S. Navy was interested in purchasing two of its own. The Royal Danish Air Force completes the list of small combat units.

While the V.38 represents a prototype and the C.I a production-quality two-seater reconnaissance model, the C.Ia is brought in as an improved variant of the original C.I. The C.IW followed as an experimental seaplane derivative, but this version was not adopted. The C.II was developed as a three-seat passenger tugboat and the C.III as a two-seat advanced trainer. The latter differs in that it is powered by a Hispano-Suiza 8B series engine.

All other models retain the series production suitability of the BMW IIIa.

The aircraft lasted until 1936, when they were technically superseded by more modern products including monoplane wings, metal fairings, retractable landing gear and full An enclosed cockpit, along with a more powerful engine and airframe, greatly improved mission capability.

Total production of the C.I was around 250 units - an impressive feat for post-war German design.