Fokker D.IV aileron

[Jan]

Hi,

I have recently seen and read about the Fokker D.IV. I think I have found some information on it. But there is a question. On some photos it can be seen, that there are real ailerons on the wings and the wing warping method is not used. Can anybody say, if the Fokker D.IV in combination with ailerons was used by the Germans? Or was it just a development, that did not come to production?
Greetings Jan

[R Pope]

D-III's were built with wing-warping (M19F) and ailerons (M19K). I think all D-IV's were built with ailerons. In this case, "all" is not very many, they were dogs.

[Familyman]

I think all Fokker D.IV a/c had ailerons. Its 'lookalike', Fokker D.I, however, did not have ailerons

Mikko

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Jan:
All Fok. D.IV machines were delivered with ailerons. The Fok.D.I were mostly delivered without ailerons and used wing warping. Their were a few Fok.D.I machines delivered with ailerons.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[edmondthieffry]

Hello Jan,

AFAIK, only a few number of Fokker D.IV were built and none were used in combat.

The prototype, based on the M21, was tested at Adlershof between 2 and 7 October 1916. Due to failure of turnbuckles, bolt and bracing wires during the test, A. Fokker was directed to replace the half-wing damaged by the earlier failure. The tests continued on 13 october 1916. During these, the upper wing rear spar cracked. After its replacement by a stronger unit, the wing finally passed to load test on 26 October 1916. Finally, the wing passed the test to destruction on 4 November 1916.

A lot of other problems were find also during the next tests. When the D.IV fuselage was loaded to simulate rudder and elevator forces the right lower longeron was found to deform at 68 per cent of the specified load. Fokker's problems continued when the controls were subjected to testing and it was found that the welding of tubing and ribs to the rudder and elevator post failed under load and the rib came adrift. Also the fin retaining bolt broke, causing failing of the structure. This was not all. The elevator arm collapsed before the the control column was loaded to the specified level and the rudder foot control became badly bent.

By the time that all of these faults were corrected all Fokker aircraft had been banned from front-line use and the D.IV was never able to prove itself in action.

I found these data in Fokker aircraft of WWI by Paul Leaman , published by Crowood Press in 2001 - ISBN1-86126-353-8.

Hope this is help.

Best regards from Belgium

Philippe

[Cigogne]

EdmondThieffry et al,

There are some examples of the Fokker D.IV that DID see service with the early Jastas. There is a photo on Thomas Genth's website of Ltn. Hans von Keudell's Fokker D.IV bearing his "K" personal marking on the side while he served with Jasta I.

Take a look:

http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/tgenth/...NDELL.JPG#keud

[edmondthieffry]

Cigogne,

I've never said that the Fokker D.IV was not attributed to early Jastas, just that it was not used in combat. I'm been unable to find any combat report for this aircraft type. If you have one, let me know, please

As Thomas Ghent said on its site : "It was not a very successful design and - after a short time - sent to the Eastern front". Perhaps, this aircraft was the reserve mount of Ltn. Hans von Keudell.

I will add that the production of the D.IV continued through to March 1917 and most of the type being used for training purpose. 33 of the type are still on charge in December 1917.

Best regards from Belgium.

Philippe