Netherlands' Fokker G.1, Fokker G.I heavy fighter / ground attack

Photos

Netherlands' Fokker G.1 300 heavy fighter / ground attack:	Netherlands' Fokker G.1A heavy fighter / ground attack:	Netherlands' Fokker G.1A heavy fighter / ground attack:	Netherlands' Fokker G.1A heavy fighter / ground attack:
Netherlands' Fokker G.1 heavy fighter / ground attack:
Netherlands' Fokker G.1 heavy fighter / ground attack:

Design

Was a private venture by Fokker that got noticed by the Dutch Army Air Service.¹

Originally was to have a mix of machine guns and cannons but it was decided on eight MGs.¹ With its heavy armament it was nicknamed Le Foucher (The Grim Reaper).³

Typically carried only the pilot and rear gunner, but an observer could be included in the fuselage.¹

Fuselage

The frame was steel tubes with an aluminum cover.² The central part was of wood construction.²

Wing

Had a middle wing made of wood.²

Tail

The tail of the G.1 was was all metal.² The rudders were covered in canvas.²

Undercarriage

The landing gear was retractable into the engine nacelles.²

Propellers

The engine drove three bladed variable pitch metal propellars.^2,4

Prototype

The prototype G.1 first flew on March 16, 1936 / March 16, 1937^3,4.^2,3,4

Production

An order for 36 was placed in November 1937.²

Was to be produced for export, but the war started and the Dutch Air Force confiscated all that had been or were in production.¹

• Prototype: 1³
• Fokker G.IA: 36^3,4
• Fokker G.IB: 25³
• Total: 62^1,3
  • Manufacturer: Fokker⁴

The following countries placed orders for the G.1B:

• Finland: 26²
• Sweden: 18²
• Denmark: to be produced under license²
• Spain: ?², 25³
• Estonia: 9²

Variants

• Fokker G.1: Prototype with Hispano-Suiza 80-20 engines with 750 HP^2,3 / 830 HP.^1,2
• Fokker G.1A: Powered by Bristol Mercury VIII engines.¹
• Fokker G.1B, "Wasp": Export version.² Were to be exported with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Junior engines with 750 HP.¹ Could carry 880 lb / 400 kg of bombs.¹ Was 1.2 m shorter, and wingspan 0.65 m / 2' shorter.¹
• Fokker G.2: Was to have Mercedes DB600 engine.¹ Never produced.¹

Usage

Germany and the Netherlands used the G.Is.³

Caused quite an interest at the 1936 Paris Air Show.^1,2

Spain

The Spanish Republican Government ordered 25 G.Is in June 1937.³ The Spanish wanted the Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Junior engines.³

May 1940

At the start of the war only 20⁴ / 23 Fokker G.1As supplied three units.^1,2,4

By May 14 only five G.1s were still in service.¹

German

Twenty G.1Bs intended for Finland were confiscated by the Germans and used for training.^1,2

Escape

In May 1941, two Fokker test pilots flew the last Fokker G.1A from Schipol to the English coast to escape the German occupation.^2,4

Specifications

	Fokker G.I3	Fokker G.1A1,2,4 Fokker G.IA3	Fokker G.IB3
Type	Heavy fighter3, Ground attack3	Fighter2,4, Heavy Fighter1, Ground Attack1
Crew	2 - 33	21, 2 - 32, 34 Pilot, radio operator/rear gunner1
Engine (Type)		2: Bristol Mercury VIII piston1,2,3,4	2: Pratt & Whitney R-1535-SB4-G Twin Wasp Junior3
Cylinders		Radial1, Radial 92,3,4	Radial 143
Cooling		Air2,4
Net HP		830 each2,3,4	750 each3
Propeller blades		3 each1,2,3 , 3 metal variable pitch4	3 each3
Dimensions
Span		54' 2"1, 56' 3"2,4, 56' 3.25"3 16.5 m1, 17.15 m2,3
Length		35' 8", 37' 9"1,2,4 10.87 m3, 11.5 m1,2
Height		11' 2"1,2,3,4 3.4 m1,2,3
Wing area		381 ft2 1 35.7 m2 1
Weight
Empty		6,930 lb1, 7,341 lb3 3,150 kg1, 3,330 kg3	6,944 lb3 3,150 kg3
Loaded		9,680 lb1, 10,560 lb4, 10,582 lb2, 11,023 lb3 4,400 kg1, 4,970 kg2, 5,000 kg3	10,582 lb3 4,800 kg3
Performance
Speed		268 mph1, 295 mph2,4 432 kph1, 475 kph2	268 mph3 431 kph3
Speed @ 13,450' / 4,100 m		295 mph3 475 kph3
Cruising speed		221 mph3 357 kph3
Endurance
Climb		2,736'/minute3 834 m/minute3
Service ceiling		30,000'1, 30,500'2,4, 30,510'3 9,100 m1, 9,300 m2,3	28,526'3 8,695 m3
Range		870 miles1, 876 miles2, 932 miles3, 945 miles4 1,400 km1, 1,409 km2, 1,500 km3	913 miles3 1,470 km3
Armament		8 - 9: MG2 9: MG4
Nose		8: 7.92 mm FN-Browning MG1 8: 7.9 mm MG3	2: 23 mm3 2: 7.9 mm MG3
Rear fuselage		1: 7.92 mm FN-Browning MG1 1: 7.9 mm MG3	1: 7.9 mm MG3
Bombs		660 lb1,2, 880 lb4, 882 lb3 300 kg1,2, 400 kg3	882 lb3 400 kg3