Air Force

FOKKER D.VII


Fokker D7 #4 Fokker D7#4 Fokker D7 #4 Fokker D7 #16 Fokker D7 #16

 

Fokker D7 #4

Source: War Trophies

Acquired: 1919, 1920

Type: Single-seat fighter

Engine: Mercedes D.III or BMW-IIIa (160-185 hp)

Dimensions
Length: 6.95 m
Wing Span: 8.9 m
Height: 2.85 m
Max Speed: 200 km/h

Range:

Maximum Ceiling: 6400 m

Known Serial Numbers: 4, 16

Notes

  • #4
    • Original serial no. 8595/18
    • Two D.VIIs were abandoned by the Germans at Spilve in 1919. The Latvians assessed them for airworthiness or fitness for repair in December of that year.. The first one , with Bestellnummer 8595/18 (OAW), they found was airworthy and ready for use. It was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes engine, serial no. 45187.
    • 1919, December 24. The first of the DVIIs is flown, by V.Jakubovs (flight lasting about 50 minutes). Further flights took place on January 2, 5 and 10, 1920 for the testing of propellers.
    • January 5, 1920 - J.Prieditis flies the D.VII
    • June 8, 1920 - The aircraft is flown from Spilve to Rezekne to take part in the battles vs the Bolsheviks in Latgale. En route, the aircraft crashes approximately 10 km from Rezekne.
    • July 20, 1921 - Aircraft is involved in a crash during a forced landing. Undergoes repairs and is returned to service.
    • 1921 - this aircraft is assigned to the flight school.
    • August 21, 1923 - this aircraft is involved in a ground accident, colliding with Halberstadt C.V #19. The Fokker was not repaired and eventually written off.
  • #16
    • Believed to be the second of the Spilve D.VIIs, this one had a fire-damaged engine and fuselage and was deemed to be beyond repair. Amazingly, this aircraft was eventually resurrected as Fokker D.VII #16. It is also possible that Fokker #16 was a different aircraft entirely, acquired from unknown sources.
    • 1922 - appears on the roster of the Flying School.
    • 1923 - Karlis Kleins passes his flight test in Fokker #16.
    • 1924 (early) - on the roster of the fighter squadron.
    • February 25, 1924 - fatal crash at Spilve (kapt. Bitte). Aircraft destroyed.
  • Margeris Kenins purchased a 180-hp BMW engine from the Aviation Regiment. This engine was reported to have been salvaged from a crashed D.VII



Sources

- Brannon, D.Edgar Fokker D.VII in Action
- Bruvelis, Edvins Latvijas Aviacijas Vesture
- Humberstone, Richard Latvian Air Force 1918-1940
- Irbitis, Karlis Of Struggle and Flight
- Lamberton, W.M. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War
- Sparnota Latvija - Windsock Datafile Special - Fokker D.VII Anthology V.III

Profiles courtesy of Arvo Vercamer
Additional research provided by Moshe Bukhman.


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