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Fokker G.I (Reaper)

History

Fokker G.I "Reaper" Chief Engineer Erich Schatzki at Dr. Fokker in 1936. Founded in 1912, Fokker was originally the leading fighter jet manufacturer for the German Empire during the First World War. In 1919, the company relocated to the Netherlands and became a dominant player in the civilian airliner market in the 1920s and 1930s - a period also known as the "Golden Age of Flight", a time when the general public could not get enough aircraft and powered flight.

Fokker contributed G.I and D.XXI to the Dutch Air Force on the eve of World War II, but neither prevented the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940.

Heavy Hunter

The G.I was designed from the outset as a dedicated "heavy fighter" with military potential - the G.I is an airframe that rivals the performance of a fighter jet while delivering impressive firepower against enemy bombers. The G.I was part of heavy fighter jets - such as the Luftwaffe's two-seater twin-engine Messerschmitt BF 110 - and these machines played a key role in the early days of World War II.

During the conflict, however, heavy fighter jets have given way to dedicated fighter and bomber platforms.

Fokker X-2 Prototype

After the Fokker design was in place, construction of the X-2 prototype began, including meshing the welded frame with the aluminum skin. Three layers of wood are used along the wings. It is powered by two Hispano-Suiza 14AB-02/03 series engines, each with 650 hp. The first flight was on March 16, 1937, and the results proved promising. The X-2 program eventually ran into trouble during a test flight in September, when a compressor exploded in flight.

However, the pilot managed to link his birds together. Following a review of the incident, the Hispano-Suiza powerplant was replaced with an American Pratt & Whitney SB4-G Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine. The evaluation was carried out through further test flights.

Order in Spain

Satisfied with the current results of the Fokker program, Spain ordered more than a dozen examples of the G.I export model known by the simple name "G.Ib" (the first Dutch production model will bear that name) . from G.Ia). However, the Dutch political embargo against the belligerents meant that Fokker could not deliver their aircraft even after the Spanish government had paid for the procurement in full.

These aircraft were still under construction and later entered service with the Dutch Air Force during the German invasion.

Fokker G.I as a dive bomber

After growing interest in the G.I as a potential dive bomber, the G.I was slightly modified to accommodate underwing dive brakes. Tests have shown that the powerful airframe has excellent diving characteristics, and several countries have placed important orders - including the Netherlands Air Force for 36 prototypes. Quantitative production soon began, and the two- and three-seat G.Ia models left the Fokker factory.

After receiving it, the Dutch Air Force quickly deployed the new G.Ia, especially on the front lines of instability in Europe.

Fokker G. I Tour

The crew compartment (accommodating two or three people depending on the production fuselage) is located in the central cabin. The cabin is streamlined from nose to tip, with a smooth rounded nose cone and pointed glass rear window cone.

The pilot maintains a dominant position at the helm, facing the nose and two engines, and has a relatively clear view of oncoming action. The tail gunner (who was both the radio operator and the navigator) sat directly behind the pilot, and both had a very clear view of the outside world. The third crew member (if any) is usually the designated bombardier. The design of the G.I was of course influenced by the appearance of its arms. Each motor is held well forward in each cantilever beam structure extending fore and aft of the leading and trailing edges of the wing, respectively.

Radial engines are offset from the root of the wing and manage a three-bladed propeller system. The outrigger structure tapers at the rear to create a circular vertical rear wing. A fin is installed between the two fins.

Fokker G. I Power

The production model of the Fokker G. Ia was equipped with two Bristol Mercury VIII radial piston engines, each producing up to 830 hp. This enables a top speed of 295 mph and a range of 938 miles. Her service ceiling is listed as 32,808 feet. Curb weight is listed as 7,330 pounds, and maximum takeoff weight is 10,582 pounds.

It has a wingspan of just over 56 feet, a barrel length of 35 feet 8 inches, and an altitude of about 12 feet at rest.