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Cigogne · 12 June 2003, 06:59 AM

NiedHF,

It was not the Fokker D.VIII that was the subject of the tests, but rather the E.V, which with reinforced wings was RENAMED the D.VIII when it was to be released back into service. Idflieg dispensed with the "E" classification and all new fighters, regardless of how many wings they had, were considered "D" types. What source are you getting your information from?

The problems with the structure were due to a subsidiary assembling the wings incorrectly and sloppy quality control. Idflieg's Sturzkommission believed there were other faults and Fokker had to make concessions to them in his redesign.

The E.V (and D.VIII) wing structure was a decendant of the Fokker V.1 and V.2 prototypes that first used this structure. All other Fokker cantilever designs are decendants of these two aircraft. They, in turn, were influenced (outwardly at least) by the thick wing designs of Dr. Hugo Junkers. It is clear that Fokker was influenced by them when seeing them in Dec. 1916. His cantilever wings only appeared after being influenced upon seeing the Junkers aircraft. Fokker's V.1 and V.2 wings, which were entirely wooden structures (including the outer skinning) was due to contact with another fellow named Forssman who ran a patent office and was a rep for the large German plywood manufacturer Brüning und Sohn.

The D.VII wing differed in many ways, one was that is was fabric covered. The E.V/D.VIII wings were covered with plywood skinning, making them more rigid. I am not certain that "high-speed dives" were the cause of the problem either. That seems suspect as it was a requirement that aircraft be able to dive. The aircraft proved this in the Fighter Trials. It was only after being produced and released to the Front where the problems manifested themselves. The rush to production and problems at the wing assembly facility where the original specs WERE NOT FOLLOWED were the causes of the problems. Not the design per se. Much has been written of this.

Cigogne

12 June 2003, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cigogne Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,459	NiedHF, It was not the Fokker D.VIII that was the subject of the tests, but rather the E.V, which with reinforced wings was RENAMED the D.VIII when it was to be released back into service. Idflieg dispensed with the "E" classification and all new fighters, regardless of how many wings they had, were considered "D" types. What source are you getting your information from? The problems with the structure were due to a subsidiary assembling the wings incorrectly and sloppy quality control. Idflieg's Sturzkommission believed there were other faults and Fokker had to make concessions to them in his redesign. The E.V (and D.VIII) wing structure was a decendant of the Fokker V.1 and V.2 prototypes that first used this structure. All other Fokker cantilever designs are decendants of these two aircraft. They, in turn, were influenced (outwardly at least) by the thick wing designs of Dr. Hugo Junkers. It is clear that Fokker was influenced by them when seeing them in Dec. 1916. His cantilever wings only appeared after being influenced upon seeing the Junkers aircraft. Fokker's V.1 and V.2 wings, which were entirely wooden structures (including the outer skinning) was due to contact with another fellow named Forssman who ran a patent office and was a rep for the large German plywood manufacturer Brüning und Sohn. The D.VII wing differed in many ways, one was that is was fabric covered. The E.V/D.VIII wings were covered with plywood skinning, making them more rigid. I am not certain that "high-speed dives" were the cause of the problem either. That seems suspect as it was a requirement that aircraft be able to dive. The aircraft proved this in the Fighter Trials. It was only after being produced and released to the Front where the problems manifested themselves. The rush to production and problems at the wing assembly facility where the original specs WERE NOT FOLLOWED were the causes of the problems. Not the design per se. Much has been written of this. Cigogne __________________ Cigogne