| Fokker V.2 | |
|---|---|
 Fokker V.3 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Fokker-Flugzeugwerke |
| Designer | Reinhold Platz |
| History | |
| First flight | 1917 |
TheFokker V.2 andV.3prototypesesquiplane fighters were developed from theFokker V.1, but utilized liquid-cooledstraight-six engines. Only one example of each was constructed in 1917 as they were too heavy to offer any significant advantage over theAlbatros D.III fighters already in service.
Like the V.1, thefuselages of both aircraft were circular in cross section, impeding the pilot's view downwards, and thecantilever wings were built fromplywood. The outer portion of thestaggered upper wing was slightly swept backwards. The V.2's 160-horsepower (120 kW)Mercedes D.III piston engine and itsradiator were fullycowled and thepropeller was given aspinner to reduce drag. It retained the V.1's rotating upper portion of thevertical stabilizer that acted as arudder and fully-movinghorizontal stabilizers. The V.2 was 10 kilometers per hour (6.2 mph) faster than the V.1, but itsrate of climb was slower.[1][2]
The V.3 differed from the V.2 in that the engine was only partially enclosed by the cowling and the radiator was mounted above the upper wing, probably to improve reliability and make maintenance easier. In addition thetail structure was replaced by one that resembled that of the Albatros D.III. It was designed to accept a pair of fixed, forward-firing machine guns, but these were not actually mounted during flight testing. The V.3 was 10 kilometers per hour faster than the V.2, but its rate of climb was worse.[3][2]
Data from Fokker Aircraft of WWI: Volume 4: V.1–V.8, F.I & Dr.I: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes[1]
General characteristics
Performance
