Fokker D.IV explained

The Fokker D.IV was a German fighter biplane of World War I, a development of the D.I.^{[2] [3]}

Development

The Fokker D.IV had a more powerful Mercedes D.III engine, and was the first Fokker front-line design to use ailerons in place of wing warping from the start for roll control.^[4]

Operational history

The aircraft was purchased in small numbers (40) by the German Army but it is thought that only 1 aircraft flown by Hans von Keudell of Jasta 1 saw any service on the Western Front all others being relegated to a training role or home defense duties. This was because of a general ban placed on the front-line use of Fokker aircraft on 6 December 1916 due to poor workmanship and a lack of quality control at the factory.

The Swedish Air Force also bought four examples of the type powered by 150 h.p. Benz Bz.III engines.,^[5] but only 1 was assembled and armed, the remaining 3 being stored in a dismantled state.

Operators

• Luftstreitkrafte - 40 aircraft.

Sweden

• Swedish Air Force - Four aircraft.

References

NotesBibliography

• Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Greenwich Editions, 1994. .
• Lamberton, W. M. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, Herts, UK: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. .
• Wagner, Ray and Heinz Nowarra. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
• World Aircraft Information Files: File 894 Sheet 40–41. London: Bright Star Publishing, 1989.

Notes and References

1. http://wwiaviation.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/early-fokker-aircraft-part-4-attempts.html "Germany - 1916 Fokker D.IV".
2. Green, and Swanborough 1994, p. 221.
3. Taylor 1989, p. 399.
4. Wagner and Nowarra 1971, p. 63.
5. Lamberton 1960, p. 218.