What's your favorite Fokker?

Which is your favorite Fokker? The E-I, E-II, E-III, E-IV,E-V( prototype for DVIII), DRI, DVII, DVIII, ect...Personally, I think the DVIII is the most fascinating because it's interesting to imagine what sort of success it might have had, had the war gone on. Of course, the DVII has to be the best of them in terms of performance. It was fast, relatively maneuverable, and could climb and dive really well. Yet, in diving, the DRI takes the cake.

Correction, the DR1 takes the cake in climbing. If you dive in the DR1 too steeply, the Heinkel harness is a very valuable thing to have around.

I like the DR-1 the most, with the D-6 coming in second.
Jeni

I love the Dr1. Always have .Always will. Even went so far as to build a full size one. Though its not ready to fly, I am looking forward to the day I push that throttle forward. Hope it doesn't kill me in the process!

Be careful. That's a dangerous beast you're about to take off in. It apparently handled somewhat like the camel on take off because of the static rotary engine (but not to the same extreme I think). Also it's really susceptable to crosswinds. So ya gotta make sure you land and take off into the wind. But once you're in the air and you have some room between you and the ground it should be ok. How long have you been a pilot for?

I'm fond of the eindecker. Before big engines, before tactics, before heavily armed, before performance...there it was...and it was "the SCOURGE"...gives me goosebumps.

Vickers,
To answer your question, I have over 1500 hours in many makes of aircraft, with over 800 in tailwheel machines alone. In addition I have around 100 hours in heavy helicopters. Im a graduate of the (late) Art Scoll school of aerobatics, and competed in the IAC many years ago. My commercial license has allowed me to fly for a few companies; mostly light cargo, and crop dusters converted to glider tow operations. Got some time in a PT-17 a few years ago. Only biplane I have ever flown.
In addition Im an A&P with a degree in Aeronautics, and a teaching credential in Technology.
All of this should make me feel more confident, right?..............It doesn't!! Not with this beast. I think my first flight will scare the hell out of me. If I survive that, then I think Ill be ok.

Many people comment on how the "Dr. I doesn't deserve it's fame, it's only famous because of MvR". Well I don't care. I have admired it since I can't remember. I always did like aircraft that "dared to be different". Like the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair with its bent wings, or the Grumman F-14 Tomcat with its variable geometry wings (even though it wasn't the first of its kind). The Harrier also holds a small place in my heart. I often wonder what they'll think of next...

-Eric
"It climbs like a monkey and maneuvers like the Devil." -MvR, on the Dreidecker

I have to agree with the assessment that the D.VII was the best in terms of performance; after all, I don't recall hearing of other planes mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles. I think, however, had the war dragged on, the D.VIII (the Flying Razor) would have been stigmatized with a bad reputation due to several fatal crashes early on in its run (bad wings and all). I noticed you didn't mention the D.VI. It had the DR.I's fuselage with D.VII wings. From what little I have heard, it was a very competent fighter that was all but overshadowed by the all-conquering D.VII. The Fokker D.VI gets my vote, as it had the same speed as the D.VII but was more maneuverable.

[Richard_Schrader]

Dr 1, E-3, D-6.