Fokker D VI as light sport aircraft?

So, lets take a Rotec radial over a rotary,(save 100 lbs?), remove the real guns for fakes,damn,(save another 60 lbs?),add a tail wheel. Now this thing is getting pretty light in the nose. Can we add some ballast and keep it under 1320 lbs? Would the wings need to be shifted back? If this could be balanced out, could its stall speed comply as a lsa? Why don't we see any D VI replicas? In my little armchair world I assume this thing would be close to a DrI as far as stability and ground handling. Maybe a little better? Any comments from Fokker homebuilders/pilots?

[Hans]

I would guess that the interest is low. You cannot paint it bright red with a white cowling...or could they?

H.

[vongrube]

I have no interest in building a copy of it for the following reasons:
-It just looks a cross between a Dr1 and a D7. Nothing special going on here.
-It was used mostly in home defense and therefore was never a frontline fighter.
-It is not easily recognizable..although it has the tell-tale Fokker features.
-Its just another one of the hundreds of failed attempts to make a great fighter.
-It never developed a reputation of any kind from what I can determine.

It just doesn't have that cool factor. It just doesn't do anything for me. Now the Dr1...great lines...beautiful airplane with a reputation.
I also like the Sopwith Snipe. I can see myself investing another 5-10 years building a Snipe. But the Fokker D6?....Naw!

[GregorySharp]

The Fokker D VI is very recognizable as a Fokker design.

It is far from tell-tale. Just about any part of it can be isolated and be easily recognized.

It would draw attention due to it's Fokker Dr I cowling with the hefty build of the DVII.

I think for some of the very reasons pointed out by Vongrube, it would make a good subject. If it wasn't for the E V right on the tail of the DVI we would have seen many more D VIs on the front.

The pilots reported it as having better visibility than the Dr I and had very good controls. Reported wing vibrations in turns though.

As of june 30, 1918 there were 21 Fokker DVIs on the front and 31 by August 1918 ON THE FRONT.

I think it's a fantastic subject.

[JonathanS]

Airdrome Aeroplanes makes a 3/4 scale ultralight model.



their website appears to be malfunctioning though

[vongrube]

Well GregorySharp,
Apparently the majority of WW1 replica builders (myself included) haven't found this aircraft a "fantasic subject". Otherwise don't you think there would be mores replicas flying?

[vongrube]

See what I mean by that pic?
The machine can't make up it's mind.
"Hey look!..Im a Dr1!....no....waite.....I'm a D7.....no...waite....now Im a Dr1".
Tell you what.....I think this plane and Michael Jackson have a lot in common!
Heheheheh!

[jumpinjan]

What is with these paint schemes?

Checkers?......Voss cowl on a Fokker D.VIII?
The question was why doesn't interest pick up on models like the Fokker D.VI.
Well, its my opinion the replicas(?) would look a thousand times better if they were painted close to the originals, wouldn't you think?

[Maxim08]

jumpinjan,
I have to agree. It is hard to credit that someone will go to all the trouble and effort and then put on a gratuitous paint scheme.
On the other hand (left?), it does remind me of the interview with the Brit owner of a bright red Spitfire in the early 90's who, when questioned about his choice of paint schemes, stated "When you get your own Spitfire, go ahead and paint it any way you want".

Regards,
Maxim08

Originally Posted by jumpinjan

What is with these paint schemes?

Checkers?......Voss cowl on a Fokker D8?
These replicas(?) would look a thousand times better if they were painted close to the originals, wouldn't you think?

[GregorySharp]

Originally Posted by vongrube

See what I mean by that pic?
The machine can't make up it's mind.
"Hey look!..Im a Dr1!....no....waite.....I'm a D7.....no...waite....now Im a Dr1".
Tell you what.....I think this plane and Michael Jackson have a lot in common!
Heheheheh!

Too Funny!

You are so right! NOT