The E I was soon superseded by the generally similar E II with the 75-kW (100-hp) U.I rotary for improved performance and then by the definitive E III with detail modifications. The final attempt to wring extra capability out of the basic design was the overweight E IV with two guns and the 119-kW (160-hp) U.lll rotary. Total E-series production was about 300 aircraft including 258 E.III.

Flying the Fokker E.III – Frank Tallman

The E.I and E.II were built in both armed and unarmed versions, and mainly used for training, before the armed versions were re-engined with a 74.6 kW / 100 hp Oberursel rotary and re-designated E.III. They also had lengthened wings, could carry more fuel and had greater ammunition capacity.

One E.III was part of trials of an early stealth experiment. The fabric covering was replaced with a transparent Cellon material, allowing all the internal structure to be seen, but otherwise reducing the visibility of the aircraft from a distance. Although it was relatively effective camouflage, the material itself lost its tautness when wet, thus affecting the flying qualities. The Cellon, an early form of Cellophane plastic, would also tear severely following minor damage, and so it was not used in service.

Of the 309 Fokker Eindeckers produced, only a single E.III survived. Captured by the RFC in April 1916, it hung for many years without covering in the Science Museum in London.

Gallery

Replica:
Engels Aeroplanbau E.4 Fokker E.III
Musso Fokker E.III
Bianchi Fokker E.III
Mars Fokker E.III
Personal Plane Services Fokker E.III

Ultralight Replica:
Airdrome Airplanes Fokker E.III

Engine: l x Oberursel U.I, 75kW (100 hp).
Span: 9.52m (31 ft 2.75 in).
Length: 7.2m (23ft 7 5in).
Height: 9 ft 1¾ in [2.4 m]
Wing area: 165.766 sqft / 15.4 sq.m
Max T/O weight: 610kg (1,3451b).
Weight empty 878 lb (398 kg)
Wing loading: 8.2 lb/sq.ft / 40.0 kg/sq.m
Ceiling 12,000 ft (3,650 m) fully loaded.
Max speed: 87 / 140 km/h mph at sea level.
Cruising speed: 65 kts / 120 km/h
Operational endurance: 1 hr 30 min.
Range: 119 nm / 220 km
Seats: 1.
Armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92-mm (0.312-in) LMG 08/15 mg.

The E I was soon superseded by the generally similar E II with the 75-kW (100-hp) U.I rotary for improved performance. The E.II was slightly longer and heavier, even though it had shorter wings.

Early Fokker E.II – originally equipped with a 7 cylinder 80 hp Oberursel U.0 – later refitted with a 100 hp Oberursel U.I. On the early E.II, the upper longeron is straight, and the standard production E.II had an auxiliary longeron to support the larger diameter cowling ring and cowling needed for the 9 cylinder 100 hp U.I engine.

The E.I and E.II were built in both armed and unarmed versions, and mainly used for training, before the armed versions were re-engined with a 74.6 kW / 100 hp Oberursel rotary and re-designated E.III. They also had lengthened wings, could carry more fuel and had greater ammunition capacity.

Number Built: 59

Engine: Oberursel U.I rotary, 75-kW (100-hp)
Wing Span: 8.95 m
Length: 6.75 m
Height: 9 ft 1¾ in / 2.4 m
Max Speed: 130 km/h
Ceiling: 3,000 m
Endurance: 1½ hours
Crew: 1
Armament: 1 Spandau machine gun, 7.92 mm

Fokker built 30 to 40 M.8 (A.1) trainer aircraft and artillery spotter of September 1914. Halberstadt later built them under license as the Halberstadt A.2.

Fokker received his first wartime order for the M.7. The first large order came from Austria, and was for a dozen M.7 scouts. About 20 were built, the first being completed in Jan¬uary 1915.

In May 1914 Fokker produced a light, maneuverable aeroplane, the M.5. It was designed by Kreutzer and based on a French Morane Saulnier type H which Fokker had bought second hand. Fokker adapted an untested patent design by Franz Schneider of the LVG company dating from 1913 that interrupted the stream of bullets as the propeller blade passed in front of a machine-gun muzzle to work with a standard Parabellum 08/14 7.02mm weapon.

Fokker M.V / E.I Article

The Eindecker (monoplane) was a version of the M.5k general-purpose aeroplane fitted with a forward-firing machine-gun and interrupter gear to prevent bullets from hitting propeller blade(s). The inspiration for this otherwise combat aeroplane was Roland Garros’s Morane-Saulnier Type L, which came down behind the German lines on 19 April 1915 and was then found to be fitted with a gun and steel deflector plates. The High Command ordered 30 as the Fokker E.I, with the 60-kW (80-hp) Oberursel U.0 rotary, and was the world’s first true fighter. Deliveries were from June 1915.

M.5K/MG. The K means Kurz = (short wing) and MG means Maschinengewehr (machine gun).

The Fokker E.I was a mid-wing monoplane with externally braced wings and a tapered box-section fuselage. There was no rudder or elevator as such, the entire fin and tailplane being moveable surfaces. There were no ailerons, lateral control being effected by wing warping. External cables that ran through a king post in front of the cockpit moved the controls. The basic structure was steel, but there was no armour protection for the pilot or fuel tanks. Power came from a 59.7 kW / 80 hp nine-cylinder Oberurel rotary engine.

E.I (the later designation the M. 5K/MG). E.I means Eindecker (monoplane) number one. The M.5K/MG, or E.I had an 80 hp. Oberursel engine and was armed with an LMG 08 machine gun. Span 8.95m, the length 6.75m, height 2.88m. Maximum speed 130 kph.

M.5L L means Lang = (long wing).

Some of the first E.Is were issued in ones and twos to various frontline units and flown by experienced pilots. The first to score in an Eindekker was Lt. Kurt Wintgens. His first confirm victim was a Voison downed on 15 July 1915.

Two other early recipients were Max Immelman and Oswald Boelcke of Feldflieger Abteilung 67. On August 1st, 1915 Lieutenant Max Immelmann achieved his first air combat victory flying a Fokker M.5K/MG, and was followed 18 days later by Boelcke. At the end of October Immelmann and Boelcke gained their fifth and sixth victories respectively.

A total of 54 E.Is was produced for the German army, navy and the Austro-Hungarian army by June 1916. The E I was soon superseded by the generally similar E II. The E.I and E.II were built in both armed and unarmed versions, and mainly used for training, before the armed versions were re-engined with a 74.6 kW / 100 hp Oberursel rotary and re-designated E.III.

Engine: Oberursel U.0 rotary, 60-kW (80-hp)
Wing Span: 8.95 m
Length: 6.75 m
Height: 9 ft 1¾ in / 2.4 m
Empty Weight: / 358 kg
Gross Weight: 563 kg
Max Speed: 130 km/h
Ceiling: 3,000 m
Endurance: 1½ hours
Crew: 1
Armament: 1 Spandau machine gun, 7.92 mm