Fokker DVII (oz15594)

About this Plan

Fokker DVII. Control line scale model German WWI fighter biplane. Wingspan 29 in.

Quote: "Build a flying model of a famous World War I fighting plane. Fokker D-VII, by Walter A Musciano.

THIS 29-in flying model is a replica of one of the outstanding fighter planes in aviation history. The single-place Fokker D-VII was so respected by Allied airmen during the last six months of World War I that Article IV of the Armistice Agreement specifically states that 'especially all machines of the D-VII type' must be surrendered at once. This is the only time that a particular weapon was ever singled out for mention in an armistice agreement!

The Fokker D-VII made its appearance over the Western Front during May 1918, at a time when the German Imperial Air Service was losing control of the skies to the French SPAD and the British SE5 and Sopwith Camel fighters. The tide turned when the Ger-man pilots began using the D-VII and they were on the verge of sweeping the skies when the Armistice ended the war.

The plane was highly maneuverable and yet easy to fly. It had the quality of making fair pilots out of bad ones and good pilots from those with mediocre talents.

Powered by a six-cylinder, 160-hp, liquid-cooled Mercedes engine, the D-VII attained a maximum speed of 120 mph and could climb to 9,840 ft in 18-1/2 min. The craft was able almost to hang on its propeller and could maintain a forward speed of 30 mph while it pumped bullets into the belly of an adversary. Armament consisted of two air-cooled, Maxim machine guns which, made in the arsenal town of Spandau, became Spandau machine guns.

Many of the leading German Aces flew the Fokker D-VII. These include Ernst Udet, Hermann Goering, Ritter von Schleich, Fritz Rumey, Lothar von Richthofen and Eric Loewenhardt. About a dozen examples of this famous fighter still exist in air museums and in private collections. A few have been rebuilt carefully and are in flying condition today in the US and Canada.

The color scheme on our model duplicates a Fokker D-VII which flew in the Great War. The Germans were known for their brilliant markings and few are more bizarre than that of the airplane we copied. In fact, Cole Palen of Rhinebeck NY, who is one of the leading collectors of World War I aircraft, selected this color scheme when he rebuilt a full-size Fokker D-VII into flying condition. The author was permitted to examine this relic of the 1914-1918 war and was able to develop accurate model plans.

Our model is constructed to the scale of one inch to the foot and can be powered with any commercial glow plug or diesel engine of from .19 to .35 displacement. The plans show the McCoy .35 engine which sells for $5.95.

The design of this control-line model was prepared with three basic objectives in mind: simple construction, ruggedness and easy, carefree flying. Anyone who can follow instructions and can handle a knife, single-edge razor blade, soldering iron and screwdriver can build this model. Full-scale plans are available from Mechanix Illustrated Plans Service.

Construction begins with the body or fuselage. Trace the two sides on 1/8 sheet balsa and cut to shape. Trace and cut the 1/16 plywood doublers and cement them to the sides, using plenty of adhesive and pressing the parts together firmly.

Mark the location of the engine mounts, cut them to proper length and cement to the plywood doublers. While this is drying, the balsa and plywood bulkheads are traced and cut to shape. Cement bulkheads B, C and D to the fuselage sides, using lots of cement. When thoroughly dry, add the remaining bulkheads. Bulkhead A must be cut to clear the engine and is cemented to the front end of the fuselage and the engine mounts. Press the fuselage together and cement well..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

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