The aim of the Second Fighter Contest, convened at the Adlershof German aircraft test centre during May and June 1918, was to choose new airplanes for the Kaiser’s air forces. Unquestioned winner of the rotary engine-powered category was the Fokker E.V, streamlined monoplane with an innovative plywood-covered wing. In early August first production examples reached the frontline Army and Naval squadrons. First unit fully-equipped with the new planes was elite Jasta 6, part of the Richthoffen’s Jagdgeschwader I. Pilots on the both sides of the front were impressed with the Fokker’s performance and soon nicknamed it “Flying Razor”. On 17 August Lt. Emil Rolff scored first E.V aerial victory. Alas, in the following days two pilots, including Rolff, were killed when the wings failed in flight. The type has been immediately grounded and the investigation showed serious production faults at the Fokker’s subcontractor, Perzina factory (pre-war piano producer). Fokker quickly replaced the wings with strengthened ones, simultaneously changing the airplane’s designation into D.VIII, but the Armistice was signed before return of the fighters to the front.
Single Fokkers E.V were used against Soviets till 1920 – one of them, piloted by young and inexperienced por. Julian Jasiński lost his way flying from Warsaw to frontline airfield of 19. Eskadra. Pilot has finally landed in Slavnoye – airbase of the Soviet fighter group led by ace Grigory Shirinkin and the captured airplane has been later used by Soviets. The only Polish Fokker modified to D.VIII standard fought during the most intensive days of the defence of Lwów against Budenny Konarmia (Horse Army). After the end of the hostilities Fokkers, as well-performing and interesting-looking airplane were intensively used in training and during several shows and exhibitions.
Plastic parts
Photoetched parts
Double sheet Techmod decals: 2 Polish and 2 German colours
- Scale:
- 1/72