Anton Herman Gerard Fokker (1890–1939) is the most renowned aircraft designer of the Great War. Had designed his first airplane at age 20, and by 1912 he opened a small aircraft factory near Berlin. At the outbreak of war, he offered his designs to both sides, but the Allies all declined him. Germany didn't. Fokker took German citizenship and became their leading designer and manufacturer.
His company was controlled by the German military in the war, but he remained in charge. His engineers designed the first interrupter gear, allowing machine guns to fire straight ahead through the propeller. His works turned out three of the most remarkable airplanes of the war: the E.1(through 4) "Eindecker," the Dr.1 Triplane, and the D.VII, recognized as the outstanding fighter plane of the Great War.
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| E.1 "Eindecker" |
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| Dr.1 Triplane |
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| D.VII |
Sources: Who's Who of WWI, Photos from USAF National Museum, Phil Makanna, and Tony Langley
"The most renowned"? Herbert Smith? Henry Folland? DH? Louis Becherou? True, the DVII was excellent, but the Eindeckers were mediocre without the synchronised gun. And Fokker had a bit of help from one Reinhold Platz.
ReplyDeleteI heard that Ford's tri motor was usurped from Fokker or was it vica versa?
ReplyDeletePlease note the focus was on Fokker, not "all".
ReplyDeleteThose of us who study WW I aviation realize there were other designers, but to the casual observer, Fokker is probably the best-known. Was there an "Albatros Scourge", or a "Pfalz Scourge", or a "Roland Scourge"?
Steve Miller