Fokker D7 (oz1018)

About this Plan

Fokker D-7. Rubber scale model WWII German fighter biplane. Scale is 1/24.

Quote: "MOST FAMOUS GERMAN SHIP! The recognition granted by Americans to the Fokker D-7 as Germany's leading World War battle plane is by no means ill-deserved. For had this craft been in the bloody game prior to those few final months, the Allied song of victory might never have been sung. Read the full story of this great ship in Henry Struck's article below, and then take his fine model plans and instructions into your workshop and prepare to Fly a Fokker D-7. Trail Blazers of the Air No.9. By Henry Struck

EARLY in 1918, undoubtedly aware of the fact that she was nearing her last chances for victory in the World War, Germany desperately launched a vast program of expansion and improvement for her flying force. And among other feverish activities, an open competition for a new single-seater fighting ship was announced by General von Hoeppner, commander of the Imperial Air Force.

Naturally, the leading aircraft firms entered ships, and among the new craft was a unique biplane developed by Tony Fokker. Fokker, it seemed, was pretty sure of his ground - for just a few months before, he had presented that now-famous red tripe to Baron Manfred von Richthofen, and with this ship as an introduction he had been able to chat with the Baron and other experienced action-airmen about what might constitute the ideal pursuit ship.

So, armed with this knowledge right from the skies of war, Fokker had taken great care and much time in the design and construction of his entry for the competition. But when construction was completed, the ship showed an alarming tendency toward spins!

Undaunted, Fokker and a couple of mechanics sawed off the rear of the fuselage, inserted an extra section, added a larger fin, and tried the ship again. The 'bug' was killed - and the ship flew perfectly! And the open competition proved the new Fokker far more maneuverable than any German ship of the day. It is true that other ships were fasterbut the front line aces who had testflown the biplane stated their preference was for peppy combat performance rather than speed.

With the introduction of the new ships-which became known as the Fokker D-7, the subject of our Trail Blazer model this month - a definite change occurred in aerial combat tactics. Mass formations were emphasized, as opposed to the earlier days of the war when individual air duels formed the greater part of sky fighting. This change took place because the easier maneuverability of the new ships made it possible for flyers who were not born birdmen to handle their crates in closer quarters. And so satisfactory were these new group tactics of the German army in the World War the basis of air tactics throughout the world is almost entirely laid upon the system which they devised.

Like most truly great achievements, the keynote of the Fokker D-7 was simplicity, and clean, efficient lines marked its external appearance - there was no birdcage of wires and thick struts. The fuselage and tail group were of welded steel tubing, a type of construction pioneered and perfected by Fokker .

The wings were entirely of wood, and the very thick, high lift, airfoil tapered off to a thin section at the tips. With the 160 hp Mercedes power plant, the Fokker D- 7 could make a speed of 120 mph which, while not quite up to many of the Allied ships she met in combat, was close enough to give her pilots satisfaction.

CONSTRUCTION: Now for our model D-7, which you'll find simple to build, and sturdy. The scale is 1/2 inch on the model to 1 ft on the original ship. The three-view drawing (Plate 1) is half the size of the model, while the layouts on Plate 2 are drawn to full size.

The fuselage sides are cut from 1/32 sheet balsa to the pattern on Plate 2. Stiffener strips of 1/16 sq are cemented across the inside of each blank as indicated. Glue the sides to the nose bulkhead of 3/16 sheet balsa. The formers are cut from 1/16 sheet, and Nos I, II, and III are cemented in position at the top of the fuselage.

Connect the bottom with 1/16 sq cross pieces, pull the rear of the body together, and insert former IV and the remaining bottom cross piece..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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