Russian Fokkers

Russian Fokkers 8

The photos come from the Russian State Archives RGVA and the archive of G.F. Petrov. They were first published by Andrei Averin in the Russian modeling magazine M-Hobby (December 2021).

The Fokker D.XIs used in the Soviet Union consisted of three variants:

In October 1923, the first D.XI arrived in Russia. The c/n was 2100. This aircraft had previously been used by Fokker for demonstrations and was purchased by Russia as a 'model aircraft'. It was extensively examined and tested by the NOA (the Moscow Scientific and Experimental Aerodrome) during the winter of 1923/1924. The NOA subsequently published a technical manual on the D.XI in an edition of 1,000 copies.
An order was then placed for 125 production models. These aircraft were delivered in seven batches between October 1924 and February 1925. Construction numbers: 50 from the series 4634-4686 and 75 from the series 4726-4803.
In 1927/1928, 15 D.XIs were "added" in Moscow. They received construction numbers that had previously been assigned to aircraft that had since been written off or scrapped. They were fitted with a Russian M-6 engine. Before entering service, these Russian copies were tested by the NII VVS in Moscow, the air force's scientific research institute.

So in total 1 + 125 + 15 = 141 different D.XIs have flown in Russia.

Technical data as preserved in the Russian archives:

Empty weight: 985 kg

Max. speed: 230 km/h

Ceiling: 7 km

Landing speed: 100-110 km/h

Flight duration: 2½ hours

Engine: 8-cylinder, liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza 8Fb, power 320 hp, weight without oil and fuel 265 kg. Later replaced by a Russian M-6 engine.

Propeller: Heine, diameter 2.5 m

Hull: skeleton of welded steel tubes, front section covered with aluminium, rear section covered with linen.

Engine mount: welded steel tubes (diameter 28 to 34 mm).

Wings: wooden frame covered with plywood.

Length: 7.265 m

Upper wing span (including ailerons): 11.53 m

Wingspan underwings: 6.00 m.

Ailerons and tailplanes: skeleton of steel tubes (diameter 12 to 33 mm), covered with linen.

Instrument panel: altimeter, speedometer, oil pressure gauge, thermometer (outside air) and tachometer.

The D.XI c/n 2100 had three 83.3-litre petrol tanks in the centre of the upper wing. Each tank had its own fuel filler opening. Production models had a fourth 76-litre tank in the wing nose, forward of the other three tanks. Armament consisted of two Vickers Mk II machine guns. The export version, which was compatible with Russian-made cartridges, was used.

Click on the photo to enlarge the photo

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The D.XI c/n 2100 was a 'prototype' model that differed in some respects from the 125 series models later delivered to Russia. For example, it had a pilot's headrest, as shown here. The propeller has been removed for repair. Moscow Central Airfield, winter 1923/1924.
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A Fokker D.XI without an engine. The engine mount, a source of structural problems, is clearly visible here. From the collection of G.F. Petrov.
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03

A D.XI in February-March 1925 at Smolensk airfield. The headrest has been removed. From the collection of G.F. Petrov.
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05

The landing gear structure is clearly visible here. The plane flipped over, but the landing gear was not damaged.
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Here we see the engine, the Spandau machine guns, the extendable radiators, and the cockpit. Amsterdam, 1923. The photo is for illustrative purposes only, as D.XIs with Spanau machine guns were never delivered to Russia.
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07

This is the engine of Fokker D.XI c/n 4793. It is an M-6, a Russian copy of the Hispano-Suiza 8Fb.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4793, built in Moscow by factory No. 39, was extensively tested by the NII VVS, the scientific research institute of the air force. Moscow Central Air Force, summer 1928.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4793, built in Moscow by factory No. 39. Moscow Central Airfield, summer 1928.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4793, built in Moscow by factory No. 39. Moscow Central Airfield, summer 1928. From the collection of G.F. Petrov.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4793, built in Moscow by factory No. 39. Moscow Central Airfield, summer 1928.
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Another look at the M-6 engine from D.XI c/n 4793.
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09

An accident involving a Fokker D.XI c/n 4666, registration number '4', in service with the VSjVB, the Higher School of Air Combat. The pilot, Kastanajev, was a student. Serpukhov, June 15, 1926.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4792 with registration '4'. An emergency landing outside the airfield on 25 July 1929. The white ring around the red star indicates that the aircraft belonged to the 5th Squadron.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4792, registration '4'. Emergency landing outside the airfield on 25 July 1929. The landing gear was destroyed, but the underside of the aircraft remained undamaged. The pilot was Talkin.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4664, registration '4'. On 1 June 1930, pilot A. K. Bogatyrev crashed into a concrete block after landing at Spassk-Dalny airfield, near Vladivostok.
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The same.
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The tail of Fokker D.XI c/n 4793.
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The instrument panel of Fokker D.XI c/n 4793.
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This is Fokker D.XI c/n 4751 with a damaged tail.
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Fokker D.XI c/n 4670. The tailplanes and wings have been removed. September 11, 1925.
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Fokker D.XI with Vickers Mk II ('Class E') machine guns. This was the standard gun of the D.XI in Russia.
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Russian Fokkers 8

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