Nederlandse Modelbouw en Luchtvaartsite

History

Early 1929, the LVA and Fokker signed a contract for two prototypes of a fighter.
Initially, two versions of the Fokker D. XV were in mind, where one would be a heavier one and the other a lighter version.
Finally the LVA chose the D.XVI, which was in a way a compromise.

In the summer of 1929 the first prototype was ready. A the second one was completed in February 1930.
It was designed by Reinhold Platz and was a half-plane with an Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engine star Townend ring.
Initially, there were still some initial problems, but when these were resolved, it was a popular aircraft.
The machines of the LVA differed with respect to the prototypes in that the main axis of the landing gear was replaced by a separate suspension, the long strut style fuselage to the wing struts had been extinguished and the exhaust pipes were extended on both sides along the fuselage.

Fokker also built an example for the NEIAF, equipped with a 625 hp Curtiss Conqueror engine.
This aircraft made the first flight on August 20, 1930. The aircraft fell down while performing a tail-spin test during a test flight on March 20, 1931.

In service with LVA.

In 1930, a series of twelve examples was ordered. The first prototype was not included in this order.
The second prototype was owned by Fokker and was used for demonstration purposes.

In July 1931, the first production machine was delivered an during the rest of the year the rest of the order was delivered.
Soon after delivery Fokker D.XVI 277 was equipped with an Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIIa radial engine of 575 hp.
In 1934 followed an order for another three aircraft to replace losses. For this order fuselages and wings from the reserves of the LVA were used.

Many problems were encountered with the engines, as these often jammed. This problem was solved as the LVB reeled off the pistons slightly.
A disadvantage was that the oil consumption rose considerably, so the Fokker D.XVI could now fly for one and a half hour, while there was fuel for three hours.

Another disadvantage was encountered, "flutter", that is the vibration of the wing, occurring during dives.
The speed could run up very high, while the speedometer was calibrated up to 450 km/h, but run on till the level of 250 km/h was reached for the second time.
During tests, however, the machine 276, was lost on January 15, 1932 by this "flutter", the pilot, esquire Wittert van Hoogland, survived the crash.
The result of an investigation was that aileron balance weights were added.

During 1932 the machines were equipped with two machine guns.

At the end of May 1936 the JaVA, JachtVlieg Afdeling, (Fighter Section) was transferred from Soesterberg to Schiphol. The JaVA was then equipped with Fokkers D.XVI and D.XVII.
Only  the 277 remained at Soesterberg in the Flying School. In 1935 this aircraft had a new  Armstrong-Siddeley Panther installed with a three-blade propeller. There were no machine guns installed, due to synchronization problems.

The idea was to create a new JachtGroep VeldLeger, (Fighter Group Army) to raise a section, that was to be equipped with the D.XVI and D.XVII. One had calculated there would be 20 aircraft left in 1938. This was considered to be a temporary solution pending new aircraft.
 During 1938, the number of available D.XVIs was driven back, because the engines were warn and replacement engines were no longer available. A whole new type of engine was not considered viable, given the age of the aircraft.
During the mobilization in 1939 was only on D.XVI was in use by the second JaVA (II-1 2 = LVR). During 1939, all D.XVIs were withdrawn from us. The last one, no 278 was written off in late October. Only the 277 was still in use for the training of fighter Pilots and was moved to Texel in November 1939.

1/72nd Scale

Kits

• MW Models
  • Kit 72-01: resin kit with decals, based upon scratch built model by M. Schönfeld of IPMS Nl.
• Omega
  • Kit 72403: Fokker DXVI "Panther".

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1/48th Scale

Kits

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Decals

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Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Fokker D.XVI: Delivery scheme: LVA khaki and LVA blue undersides

Fokker D.XVI: LVA khaki and LVA blue undersides and LVA khaki rudder (1939).

Fokker D.XVI: LVA khaki and LVA blue undersides and orange triangles as nationality markings (on remaining aircraft).

Fokker D.XVI: LVA khaki and LVA blue undersides and orange triangles as nationality markings and equipped with a Panther engine.
Only applicable to the 277, which was in use at the advanced training school at Texel.

Literature.

Websites.

• Skynet.be
• Wiikipedia NL: Fokker D.XVI
• Aviastar.org; Fokker D.XVI
• Fokker D.XVI
• Dutch Afviation: Fokker D.XVI

Special thanks to mr P. Banis for the research on the serials.