Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeugwerke
Fokker G.I Aircraft Overview
The Fokker G.I, nicknamed “Le Faucheur” (The Reaper), was developed by Fokker in the late 1930s. It was designed as a powerful and versatile aircraft, intended to serve multiple roles such as bomber interception, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The G.I was one of the most advanced aircraft in the Netherlands’ arsenal during the early stages of World War II.
The Fokker G.I featured a distinctive twin-boom design with a central nacelle housing the cockpit and armament. This configuration, combined with its sleek, low-wing monoplane structure, gave the aircraft excellent aerodynamics and a modern appearance for its time. The aircraft was initially powered by two Hispano-Suiza 14-cylinder radial engines, although later models used Bristol Mercury VIII engines due to supply issues.
The G.I was heavily armed compared to contemporary fighters, equipped with a formidable array of guns, including eight 7.9 mm machine guns mounted in the nose and one or two rear-mounted machine guns for defensive purposes. This armament made it highly effective against enemy bombers and ground targets, living up to its reputation as a “heavy fighter.”
Operational History
The Fokker G.I first flew in 1937 and was quickly recognized for its impressive speed, firepower, and versatility. It was initially intended for export, with interest from several countries, including Spain and Denmark, but the outbreak of World War II shifted priorities toward equipping the Dutch Air Force.
During the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, the G.I saw limited combat. Despite being outnumbered and facing more advanced German aircraft, G.I pilots managed to achieve some successes, including shooting down German bombers and engaging in ground attacks. However, the Dutch forces were quickly overwhelmed, and many G.I aircraft were destroyed on the ground or captured by the advancing German forces.
Impact and Legacy
Although the Fokker G.I had a short operational career due to the swift German occupation of the Netherlands, its design was innovative and influential. The aircraft demonstrated the potential of heavy twin-engine fighters, a concept that would be further developed during the war by other nations.
After the occupation, several captured G.Is were used by the Luftwaffe for training and evaluation purposes, reflecting the aircraft’s advanced design for its time. The Fokker G.I remains a notable example of Dutch aviation engineering, symbolizing the nation’s efforts to modernize its air force in the face of rising global conflict. Its unique design and combat history have made it a subject of interest among aviation enthusiasts and historians.
Fokker G.I Specifications
- Crew: 2-3 members
- Length: 10.87 meters (35 feet 8 inches)
- Wingspan: 17.16 meters (56 feet 4 inches)
- Height: 3.8 meters (12 feet 6 inches)
- Wing Area: 38.3 square meters (412 square feet)
- Empty Weight: 3,325 kg (7,330 pounds)
- Gross Weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 pounds)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 pounds)
- Fuel Capacity: 1,050 liters (277 US gallons; 231 Imperial gallons)
- Engines: 2 × Bristol Mercury VIII, 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, producing 540 kW (730 hp) each at 2,650 rpm for takeoff, and 620 kW (830 hp) at 4,100 meters (13,500 feet) at 2,750 rpm for maximum continuous power
- Propellers: 3-bladed controllable-pitch propellers
Fokker G.I Performance
- Maximum Speed: 475 km/h (295 mph, 256 knots) at 4,100 meters (13,500 feet)
- Range: 1,510 km (940 miles, 820 nautical miles)
- Service Ceiling: 10,000 meters (33,000 feet)
- Climb Rate: 13.5 m/s (2,660 feet per minute), reaching 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) in 6 minutes 20 seconds
- Wing Loading: 125.3 kg/m² (25.7 lb/sq ft)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.22 kW/kg (0.13 hp/lb)
Fokker G.I Armament
- Standard Armament:
- 8 × 7.9 mm (0.31 inch) forward-firing FN-Browning machine guns mounted in the nose
- 1 × 7.9 mm (0.31 inch) machine gun in the rear turret
- 300 kg (660 pounds) of bombs (G.1 Wasp variant could carry 400 kg or 880 pounds)
- Alternate Armament Configuration:
- 2 × 23 mm Madsen cannons in the nose
- 2 additional unspecified forward-firing machine guns
- 1 additional unspecified machine gun firing aft
