Fokker E-III Eindecker (oz16267)

About this Plan

Fokker E-III Eindecker. Control line scale model WWI fighter monoplane. Wingspan 52 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 14/9/2025: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "All the glamour and excitement of World War I aircraft has been captured in this outstanding scale control-liner. Ideal for control line work, it should be part of every scale competitor's complement of contest winning planes. Fokker Eindecker, by Don Carkhuff.

Editor's note: After exposure to many models over many years we have become rather jaundiced in our viewing - occasionally there is one that stands out. Seldom do we see the one we must have but the moment we saw Don's Eindecker we knew that this is the model we and MAN's readers must have. We know that it had to be a cover piece. This was the only way you could get to see it in its natural colors. We even went so far as to disqualify ourselves as a beauty judge at the Mirror Meet to remove the possibility of prejudice. Even so, the model received maximum points for beauty and with its flying ability the Eindecker far out-stripped all other entries in total points.

Homely, I guess that's the best way to describe this heartwarming Old Timer, but let's not stop here, there's more to this airplane than its looks. There's character, glory and the thrills, and spills of its era.

My one objective in choosing this craft for a scale subject was to try and capture in miniature, not simply a model that looked like its prototype but one that possessed this character and the glory that surrounded these fighting machines and the airmen who flew them during the first World War. The hours spent in the design and construction of the model have proven to be more than fruitful to me in this respect.

When comparing the Fokker E-III to today's standard of airplane design, one might well wonder if it flew at all. The record proves that it did. It's miniature counterpart sure does. Although the writer must admit here that he did not have too much knowledge concerning the balance of the model before its first flight. (It was rather hectic to say the least.) Even so the ship still captured a first place that day. Then with the addition of some much needed weight placed in the cylinders of the dummy 'Oberursel Rotary engine' and a little more offset in the rudder (these corrections are included on the drawings) the ship flew gracefully into many first place conquests during the year, including the 1960 Mirror open scale event.

The original model was scaled from drawings by Joseph Nieto. These drawings appeared in the October 1951 issue of Model Airplane News. The model flys with throttle control. This is not shown on the drawings since the throttle used is of original design. It is felt here that most modelers will have their own methods of doing this and there are many throttle and motor control systems on the market today.

Speaking of flying, if the editor will let the writer give out with what he considers a legitimate gripe, and if you readers can bear with me, I would like to say that there is more to a scale event than simply the judging of a model aiplane. Let's give more attention to the flying of the model. With all due respect to those that run the meets and the many problems that confront them, I do not think there is enough time allotted to the flying of scale events. Above all, let all who enter fly, not just the beauty winners. It is disheartening to say the least to pick up your entry without having had a chance to fly. I know that in some meets there are just too many entries and not enough enough time to do this. This is not always the case however. During the course of a meet when a circle is open why not, call out a scale entry and let him fly.

Well let's get down to the pleasant task of building this flying machine. It matters not where we start with this model, since it has been designed to allow the wings and rudder to be constructed, doped and finished before assembling to the fuselage. The fuselage and elevators are constructed and finished as a combined unit. The elevators become an integral part of the fuselage due to the nature of their elevator pivots. With this type of construction you will achieve a much better finished model and one with true scale joints.

Now before we do anything else, study the drawings carefully, then start with the fuselage. You will note on the drawings that the cowling is removable and that the machine gun is responsible for maintaining the cowling in place. This is accomplished by snapping the gun into the fuselage with a spring type cabinet door fastener..."

Update 18/9/2025: Added supplementary article (June 1958) on moulding scale tyres, thanks to dfritzke.

Quote: "Here is the article mentioned on the Eindecker plans on 'cooking' your own rubber tyres! From June 1958 MAN. I would guess you will want to post them as an addendum. I love the comment that one should be able to hire a machine tool operator to turn up the molds for you for a measly few dollars. Try a few hundred dollars today... Dave"

Supplementary file notes

Article.
Article (scale tires, moulding).

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