Fokker Eindekker (oz7516)

About this Plan

Fokker Eindekker. Radio control scale model German WWI fighter monoplane. A 1/8 scale model for 3 function RC equipment and .15 - .19 in engines.

Quote: "WHEN THE FOKKER 'Eindekker' came into service on the Western front in WWI it met with almost instant success; not because of a great superiority in engine performance or airframe design but, through its unique armament. Roland Garros, the French Air Ace, had experimented with firing a machine gun through the propeller arc of his Morane Saulnier Monoplane (using metal deflector wedges to prevent the bullets from cutting away the propeller) Anthony Fokker inspected the captured aircraft and set about improving on this crude system.

So, the Eindekker' became the first aircraft to be fitted with a practical interrupter gear, allowing the machine gun to be fired straight ahead through the arc of the propeller without risking damage to it. Armed with this new weapon and by changing the tactics of attack, the Eindekkers became the scourge of the RFC and were responsible for the coining of terms such as 'Fokker fodder' (the elderly two seat reconaissance aircraft which were no match for theEindekkers) and 'Bloody April' (because of the number of Allied aircraft brought down by the Fokkers). It was not until the new British pusher designs came into service - they still had not perfected an interrupter gear for their machine guns - that the balance was redressed.

By all accounts it was not a difficult machine to fly, it was modestly aerobatic and had a top speed of around 80 mph. Wing warping was used in preference to ailerons and the airframe design was light and economically designed. Without the single forward firing machine gun it would probably have been regarded as just an average fighting machine but, with the advantage of being the first to use this device, it became a deadly killer in the hands of a skilful pilot.

Construction of the model. Conventional construction techniques are used throughout and the only areas where any difficulties may be experienced is in the forming and soldering of the undercarriage and the fabrication of the tail surfaces hinging system. All flying rudder and tailplane (or elevators) are incorporated and are operated by closed loop cable control systems similar to the full size methods. The only real deviation from scale is the use of dihedral on the wings - the prototype had no dihedral - with a small model, such as this, it would be difficult to fit in a fourth servo for ailerons or wing warping. (No doubt someone will proceed to prove that it is possible). A standard .15 cu in engine will fly the model in a scale like manner ie without too much reserve of power and requiring a shallow dive to perform a loop. A '19' would certainly give a more sprighly flight repertoire - it depends what you want from your Eindekker.

There is sufficient room in the fuselage for normal size radio equipment and a suggested layout is shown for the servos - adjust the position of the servo bearers to suit your choice of servo. A 500 maH nicad battery can be used as the weight at the nose end will be an advantage, keep it close up to the engine bulkhead. The fuel tank on the original model was made up from a mustard tin and placed in the cowl, this had the advantage of concentrating the weight well forward and keeping the fuel away from the

radio equipment. You will have to search around for a silencer to suit the space available, although the cowling adds to the muffling effect, a manifold cut just short of the engine bulkhead should give acceptable results. Using a large diameter propeller (Top Flite 10 x 3-1/2) and keeping the engine rpm down assists greatly in reducing noise levels.

No nasty flying characteristics were evident on the prototype model but it is suggested that a small amount of wing washout (about 1/4 in to 3/4 in at each tip) is introduced at the rigging stage to prevent tip stalling. Do try to build lightly, it is quite a tough little model and does not require any further strengthening measures.

Covering the wings and fuselage in nylon and tail surfaces in tissue is a good compromise, heat shrink covering materials could be used - why not try the new Salartex 'antique' finish woven material and confine the decoration to a white rudder and the German crosses, plus an aluminium finish to the cowl and front panels.

Fuselage: Two side panels are constructed from 3/16 in sq balsa wood, 1/8 in diagonals and 1/4in sheet infill pieces at the front end. Note that the longerons extend into former F2. Formers F3 and F7 are made from a lamination of 3/32 balsa wood and .4mm plywood (.8mm plywood would do if you cannot lay your hands on the .4mm variety). The plywood provides a hard base for binding and gluing the wing dowel tubes, which should be fixed to the former before they are installed in the fuselage.

Cut slots in the top longerons at the position of the cabane strut and bend and epoxy the strut to former F3. Full depth .8mm plywood facings to the fuselage sides extend from the rear of F2 to the rear of F7 and holes must be drilled in the sides for the wing dowel positions. No problems should be encountered in assembling a squarefuselage as there is very little taper, in plan view, towards the tail.

Pre-drilled servo bearers and the elevator crank assembly are added at this stage, The tail surface pivot assembly is fitted when the fuselage is complete but uncovered..."

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