Fokker D.XXI

The D.XXI was designed as an inexpensive, rugged, and compact fighter aircraft that would possess respectable performance for its era.

Entering operational use in the early years of the Second World War, it provided yeoman service for both the Dutch Army Aviation Group and the Finnish Air Force.

Additionally, a few examples were constructed by the El Carmolí factory before it fell into rebel hands during the Spanish Civil War.

Following the invasion and occupation of the Netherlands in May 1940, several captured Dutch D.XXIs were subsequently placed into service with the Luftwaffe.

Variants

D.XXI

Prototype serial no FD-322

D.XXI-1

Pattern aircraft supplied to Denmark, three built, powered by 645 hp (481 kW) Bristol Mercury VIS engines.

Armed with 2x 8 mm (0.315 in) machine guns and 2x 20 mm (0.787 in) Madsen cannon

D.XXI-1

Production aircraft built at the Royal Army Aircraft Factory, ten built powered by 830 hp (619 kW) Bristol Mercury VIII engines.

D.XXI-2

53 Built, of which 36 were delivered to the RNLAF.

D.XXI-3

Finnish license-built D.XXI-2s, fitted with additional 20 mm (0.787 in) cannons in 1940.

D.XXI-4

Upgraded D.XXI-3, powered by 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1535-SB4C-G Twin Wasp Junior engines.

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)

Wingspan

11 m (36 ft 1 in)

Height

2.92 m (9 ft 7 in)

Wing area

16.2 m2 (174 sq ft)

Empty weight

1,594 kg (3,514 lb)

Gross weight

1,970 kg (4,343 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Bristol Mercury VIII 9-cyl air-cooled radial piston engine, 620 kW (830 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed

460 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn)

Cruise speed

429 km/h (267 mph, 232 kn)

Never exceed speed

700 km/h (430 mph, 380 kn)

Range

930 km (580 mi, 500 nmi)

Service ceiling

11,350 m (37,240 ft) service ceiling

Time to altitude

6,000 m (19,685 ft 0 in) in 7 min 30 sec

Power/mass

0.309 kW/kg (0.188 hp/lb)

Armament

4 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine guns.