After test flying the D.VII, Manfred Von Richthofen spoke very highly of it, but never got the chance to fly it in combat, as he was killed a few days before the aircraft went into service.
Historical Aviation Film Unit → I thought most biplane fighters - at least the ones from later in WWI - had ailerons on *both* wings, for increased maneuverability. However, from what I can see in this vid the DVII only has them on the upper wing.
Remember, at this time aeronautics was in its infancy so different planes had a lot of different designs. However, I might mention that the FD-VII was considered by the allies to be the best fighter of the time and Germany, as one of the conditions of the Versailles Treaty, was that Germany had to give up making the FD-VII and turn all existing models over to the allies who divided up the spoils and gave them away. I think the USA got 30. Don't quote me on that figure.
The D.VII was one of the first airplanes ever built to properly benefit from scientifically gathered aerodynamics information. That's why it was so good. Before this aircraft came along, every manufacturer conducted their own research and testing, and jealously guarded their secrets. During the latter half of World War One, the Germans collected all available knowledge, technology, and scientists into a single large aerodynamics research and testing institute, that would gather and test aerodynamic principles, then distribute that information to the companies manufacturing warplanes. The nationalization of their aircraft industry was born of a wartime neccessity. This idea of an "Institution of Aerodynamic Research" was copied by every major country after the war. The United States has the most famous example: the National Advisory Comittee of Aeronautics, which was later re-formed as the National Air and Space Administration, or NASA for short. The Fokker D.VII will forever stand as the first aircraft completely designed by science.
I know that, but they did not share their knowledge with anyone. There was no central institution of aerodynamic research until the middle of World War One. Can you not read, or do you just have no comprehension? Go back and read my comment again, aidspig.
Glad to hear it. Maybe it will help remind you not to randomly smash your keyboard for no reason whatsoever. Useless comments are the worst comments after all.
read it again: "The Fokker D.VII will forever stand as the first aircraft completely designed by science." institutional science maybe but Richard is correct as far as science goes, shared or not.
![WW1 German Fighter - Fokker D.VII [1918]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rpJIbujIviY/mqdefault.jpg)
![WW1 German Fighter - Fokker D.VII [1918]](/img/tr.png)
You guys are doing a great job preserving history. Well Done!!
After test flying the D.VII, Manfred Von Richthofen spoke very highly of it, but never got the chance to fly it in combat, as he was killed a few days before the aircraft went into service.
Y'all are doing great, keep it up!
Wonderful! I remember thrilling to "The Blue Max" (flown in Ireland) and recall Biggles' conflab with Goering in "The White Fokker"...great vid
Good stuff.
Thanks for posting.
I love this channel
Is the "mini-wing" between the wheels purely to give extra bracing for landings?
Not sure. Would provide bracing but its als's shaped to provide a little lift...
Grande Relíquias do passado
COLE PALEN UP IN RHIENBECK NY WHEN I WAS A KID HAD AN ORIGINAL FOKKER DV11 FLOWN IN WW1 AND IT STILL FLEW TERRIFIC WITH BMW ENGINE.
Great aerial footage. Was the a normal landing speed? It looked fast although the D. VII is probably a pretty slippery aircraft.
Pretty much normal.
What are the extensions on the upper wing?
Extended ailerons.
Excellent. Thank you.
Historical Aviation Film Unit → I thought most biplane fighters - at least the ones from later in WWI - had ailerons on *both* wings, for increased maneuverability. However, from what I can see in this vid the DVII only has them on the upper wing.
Remember, at this time aeronautics was in its infancy so different planes had a lot of different designs. However, I might mention that the FD-VII was considered by the allies to be the best fighter of the time and Germany, as one of the conditions of the Versailles Treaty, was that Germany had to give up making the FD-VII and turn all existing models over to the allies who divided up the spoils and gave them away. I think the USA got 30. Don't quote me on that figure.
b-47
'Der Tod in Flandern' sneaking in in the background.
I noticed the movie versions actually had tailwheels. Wonder if they had brakes.
What engine does this example have/
A DeHavilland Gypsy Queen, I think.
Correct
The D.VII was one of the first airplanes ever built to properly benefit from scientifically gathered aerodynamics information. That's why it was so good. Before this aircraft came along, every manufacturer conducted their own research and testing, and jealously guarded their secrets. During the latter half of World War One, the Germans collected all available knowledge, technology, and scientists into a single large aerodynamics research and testing institute, that would gather and test aerodynamic principles, then distribute that information to the companies manufacturing warplanes. The nationalization of their aircraft industry was born of a wartime neccessity. This idea of an "Institution of Aerodynamic Research" was copied by every major country after the war. The United States has the most famous example: the National Advisory Comittee of Aeronautics, which was later re-formed as the National Air and Space Administration, or NASA for short. The Fokker D.VII will forever stand as the first aircraft completely designed by science.
The Wrights flew different wing plan forms (and compiled notes thereof) and they did build a wind tunnel to experiment with various foils.
I know that, but they did not share their knowledge with anyone. There was no central institution of aerodynamic research until the middle of World War One. Can you not read, or do you just have no comprehension? Go back and read my comment again, aidspig.
My next plane will have 'aidspig' as nose art. Thanks sport, you're a trooper!
Glad to hear it. Maybe it will help remind you not to randomly smash your keyboard for no reason whatsoever. Useless comments are the worst comments after all.
read it again: "The Fokker D.VII will forever stand as the first aircraft completely designed by science." institutional science maybe but Richard is correct as far as science goes, shared or not.
I want one...
Don't we all! ;-)