Replica Fokker Dreidecker German Great War triplane flying at Flying Legends airshow
The Fokker Dreidecker (triplane) was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The saw widespread service in the spring of 1918. It became renowned as the aircraft in which Manfred von Richthofen gained his last 19 victories, and in which he was killed on 21 April 1918. In February 1917, the Sopwith Triplane began to appear over the Western Front. The Sopwith swiftly proved itself superior to the Albatros fighters then in use by the Luftstreitkräfte. Fokker-Flugzeugwerke responded by converting an unfinished biplane prototype into the , a small, rotary-powered triplane with a steel tube fuselage and thick cantilever wings, first developed during Fokker's government-mandated collaboration with Hugo Junkers. Initial tests revealed that the had unacceptably high control forces resulting from the use of unbalanced ailerons and elevators. Instead of submitting the for a type test, Fokker produced a revised prototype designated The most notable changes were the introduction of horn-balanced ailerons and elevators, as well as longer-span wings. The also featured interplane struts, which were not necessary from a structural standpoint, but which minimized wing flexing. Compared with the Albatros and Pfalz fighters, the offered exceptional maneuverability. Though the ailerons were not very effective, the rudder and elevator controls were light and powerful. Rapid turns, especially to the right, were facilitated by the triplane's marked directional instability. Vizefeldwebel Franz Hemer of Jasta 6 said, "The triplane was my favorite fighting machine because it had such wonderful flying qualities. I could let myself stunt — looping and rolling — and could avoid an enemy by diving with perfect safety. The triplane had to be given up because although it was very maneuverable, it was no longer fast enough.
Size: 4513px × 3385px
Location: Duxford Cambridgeshire UK
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: aircraft, baron, , dreidecker, fighter, fokker, german, great, red, replica, richtofen, triplane, war
