Fokker axle wings.

Dan_San_Abbott · 17 August 2007, 11:15 AM

Gentlemen:
Following Dale Carvins suggestion, I have started a new thread about Fokker axle wings/fairing.
Fokker built, Fok.DR.I, Fok. D.VI, Fok.D.VII and Fok.E.V/D.VIII axle wings/fairing were:
1. Not covered with fabric.
2. Not removeable.
3. Albatros built Fok.D.VII had hinges on the leading and trailing edges. I don't know what method was used the secure the axle wing on the top of the aluminum axle box.
4. The Fok.D.VII machines built by OAW were secured to the axle box by series of clips screwed to the plywood skin
on the top and bottom front half and rear half of the axle wing. Bolts were passed through front and rear top and bottom clips and secured with a nut and possibly a cotter pin.
5. The Albatros and OAW axle wings were not covered with fabric.
6. The axle fairings were derivitives of the axle fairing first used on the Fok. V.1 and V.2 machines. The axle wig was covered with plywood, were not removeable and were not covered with fabric.
Blue skies,
Dan-San
Blue skies,
Dan-San

WarrenD · 17 August 2007, 11:46 AM

Dan-San, I need some clarity because I too easily make something out of nothing. You use the term "axle wing" and "axle fairing". I am going to assume* that you are talking about the same thing, just with two different terms, right?

Thanks!

Warren

*Assuming gets me in trouble.

tcrean7828 · 17 August 2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Gentlemen:
Following Dale Carvins suggestion, I have started a new thread about Fokker axle wings/fairing.
Fokker built, Fok.DR.I, Fok. D.VI, Fok.D.VII and Fok.E.V/D.VIII axle wings/fairing were:
1. Not covered with fabric.
2. Not removeable.
3. Albatros built Fok.D.VII had hinges on the leading and trailing edges. I don't know what method was used the secure the axle wing on the top of the aluminum axle box.
4. The Fok.D.VII machines built by OAW were secured to the axle box by series of clips screwed to the plywood skin
on the top and bottom front half and rear half of the axle wing. Bolts were passed through front and rear top and bottom clips and secured with a nut and possibly a cotter pin.
5. The Albatros and OAW axle wings were not covered with fabric.
6. The axle fairings were derivitives of the axle fairing first used on the Fok. V.1 and V.2 machines. The axle wig was covered with plywood, were not removeable and were not covered with fabric.
Blue skies,
Dan-San
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Dan_San_Abbott,
I appreciate the info, as I have always woundered why Fokker, and OAW patterns were somewhat different even though they were susposta be exact replicas of the Fokker plans. I thought the OAW boys came over to Fokker's factory to get and take measurements so that they near replicas of the original?

Guess someone forgot to read the fine print on the contract,when it came to the Axel wing hookup to the aeroplane.

Great info though.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

gipsymoth236k · 17 August 2007, 11:47 AM

Dan-San,

A good idea to start this topic, thanks!

Attached is Knowlton's original Albatros-built Fokker D.VII wheel fairing (no fabric covering). Note this Albatros style fairing's 'open-end' variation for easier access to the bungee suspension, as well as the leading edge hinges (look VERY closely at the attached photos). Also note two rolled and seam-riveted 70mm aluminum tubes that are peened over on the ends per typical manufacturing practice. Both tubes run span-wize through this fairing.

One of my longest questions has been - did all D.VII wheel fairings contain these two aluminum tubes, or not? I see they were indeed installed here, and on virtually ALL Fokker Dr.I and E.V/D.VIII wheel fairings. If so, can we please see photos to support other D.VII (specifically) fairings with these two aluminum tubes installed? Anyone?

Thanks, Gary Sewall

tcrean7828 · 17 August 2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gipsymoth236k

Dan-San,

A good idea to start this topic, thanks!

Attached is Knowlton's original Albatros-built Fokker D.VII wheel fairing (note - no fabric covering). It has the Albatros 'open end' style shorter fairing for easier access to the bungee suspension, and leading edge hinges (look VERY closely at the attached photos). I also see two rolled and seam-rivited 70mm aluminum tubes that are peened over on the ends per typical manufacturing practice. Both tubes run spanwize through the fairing.

One of my longest questions has been - did all D.VII wheel fairings contain these two aluminum tubes, or not? I see they were indeed installed here, and on ALL Fokker Dr.I and E.V/D.VIII fairing designs. If so, can we please see photos to support other D.VII fairings with these two aluminum tubes installed? Anyone?

Thanks, Gary Sewall

Gary,

Nice pic, first one that I have seen close up.

thanks

cul

tcrean7828

tom

tcrean7828 · 17 August 2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gipsymoth236k

Dan-San,

A good idea to start this topic, thanks!

Attached is Knowlton's original Albatros-built Fokker D.VII wheel fairing (note - no fabric covering). It has the Albatros 'open end' style shorter fairing for easier access to the bungee suspension, and leading edge hinges (look VERY closely at the attached photos). I also see two rolled and seam-rivited 70mm aluminum tubes that are peened over on the ends per typical manufacturing practice. Both tubes run spanwize through the fairing.

One of my longest questions has been - did all D.VII wheel fairings contain these two aluminum tubes, or not? I see they were indeed installed here, and on ALL Fokker Dr.I and E.V/D.VIII fairing designs. If so, can we please see photos to support other D.VII fairings with these two aluminum tubes installed? Anyone?

Thanks, Gary Sewall

Gary,

Nice pic, first one that I have seen close up.

thanks

cul

tcrean7828

tom

WarrenD · 17 August 2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrean7828

Guess someone forgot to read the fine print on the contract,when it came to the Axel wing hookup to the aeroplane.

Tom, I think that may have depended on how the contract was written. Often in military contracts, allowances are made for manufacturing practices as long as the end product functions the same as, and is serviceable in the same way as the original. Case in point: I used to collect US shoulder weapons from WWI and the second part too. Part of the fun/the game was acquiring the same weapon made by different manufacturers because of all of the little differences in trigger guards, etc. Same way, I guess, with axle wings/fairings.

Just one more thing that makes studying Fokkers Fun!

Warren

gipsymoth236k · 17 August 2007, 12:48 PM

Here's a couple more D.VII photos. Any tubes visible through this fairing?

Regards, Gary Sewall

JohnFitz · 17 August 2007, 03:20 PM

Okay guys, I am interested to know how this wing/faring was attached. I have seen drawings of the formers attached to the axle box but how was the plywood skin attached to the formers? Here is a drawing from Paul Leaman's DR1 book. It shows fittings holding the skin together. Did this somehow make the wing removable or is it just a more secure way of making the the plywood skin stay permenatly attached? If these strips held the pieces together at the bottom then how was the T/E held together, clips, hinges,screws? This has probably been explained before but since it is being revisited I thought I would ask. Cheers!

gipsymoth236k · 17 August 2007, 03:58 PM

JohnFitz,

This Leaman Dr.I book's drawing of the fairing is completely WRONG! The Dr.I had a fixed fairing, with NO such fittings for removal, unlike Albatros and O.A.W.-built D.VIIs! The ONLY Dr.I fittings on the fairing were two jack pads located under the bottom outer ends, as shown here (note the caster oil drips). This book has MANY drawing errors for the Dr.I, but it is still a real nice book with lots of original photos and renderings.

Regards, Gary Sewall