The Airdrome Fokker D-VII is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by Airdrome Aeroplanes, of Holden, Missouri. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Airdrome Fokker D-VII
Airdrome Airplanes Fokker D-VII at Sun 'n Fun 2004
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Airdrome Aeroplanes
Status In production (2011)
Number built 5 (2011)
Developed from Fokker D.VII

The aircraft is an 80% scale replica of the First World War German Fokker D.VII fighter, built from modern materials and powered by modern engines.[1]

Design and development

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The Airdrome Fokker D-VII features a strut-braced biplane layout, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The kit is made up of twelve sub-kits. The Airdrome Fokker D-VII has a wingspan of 23.3 ft (7.1 m) and a wing area of 148 sq ft (13.7 m2). It can be equipped with engines ranging from 80 to 110 hp (60 to 82 kW). The standard engine is the 110 hp (82 kW) Hirth F-30 two stroke engine, with a Volkswagen air-cooled engine with reduction drive optional. Building time from the factory-supplied kit is estimated at 400 hours by the manufacturer.[1][2]

Operational history

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Five examples had been completed by December 2011.[1]

Specifications

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Data from Kitplanes and Airdrome Aeroplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 15 ft (4.6 m)
  • Wingspan: 23.3 ft (7.1 m)
  • Wing area: 148 sq ft (13.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 470 lb (213 kg)
  • Gross weight: 770 lb (349 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F-30 four cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 110 hp (82 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 105 mph (169 km/h, 91 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 94 mph (151 km/h, 82 kn)
  • Stall speed: 34 mph (55 km/h, 30 kn)
  • Range: 240 mi (390 km, 210 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 960 ft/min (4.9 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 5.2 lb/sq ft (25 kg/m2)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 39. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ^ a b Airdrome Aeroplanes (n.d.). "Fokker D-VII Biplane ~ 80% Scale Replica". Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2012.