History

After the Fokker D.XVI, registered  F.32 for NEIAF had crashed, Fokker decided to design a new fighter, equipped with the Curtiss Conqueror engine. This aircraft also received the registration F.32
The first flight was made on November 27, 1931.
The machine was completely redesigned and was definite not a version of the D.XVI with a line engine. Especially the fuselage was much slimmer. After the test, the D.XVII was shipped to the Netherlands East Indies in February 1932.

The device was certainly faster and a better climber than the Curtiss Hawk I, but the NEIAF preferred American aircraft, which were considered to be more reliable than the Fokker aircraft.

In August 1932 the Netherlands Ministry of Defence decided unexpectedly to purchase the D.XVII rather than an additional order from the D.XVI.
The LVA now showed a preference for inline engines, which enabled a slimmer thus faster aircraft.
 As engine was chosen for the Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS, already in use for the Fokker C.X. This resulted in better performance than the Curtiss Conqueror, especially at higher elevations.
 Another striking difference compared to the Indian machine was the propeller was different. The on of the LVA machines had a diameter of 3,20 m versus a diameter of 2,642 m for the Indian machine.

On December 31, 1932 ten examples were ordered, of which eight were to be fitted with the Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS of 590 hp. One was to be equipped with a Lorraine Petrel 12Hfrs of 800 hp and the other with a Hispano-Suiza 12 XBrs of 760 hp.
 In both cases the engines were made available by manufacturers.

 The first machine for the LVA made its first flight in August 1933. In November/December 1933 all Kestrel aircraft delivered. The Fokker D.XVII with Hispano made its first flight on February 16, 1934; the Lorraine on March 1, 1934.

 

 

In service with LVA.

The D. XVII was assigned to the JaVA, JachtVlieg Afdeeling, Fighter Section, at Soesterberg, from May 19139 and on this group was stationed at Schiphol. There was also a Fokker D.XVII available in the strength for training purposes.

The machine for NEIAF was, without an engine and at freight costs, offered to the LVA on May 11, 1936. As this machine really did not fit with the rest of the equipment of the NEIAF. This offer was of course accepted and the aircraft was rebuilt an converted in 1937/1938 by the LVB to adapt to the other machines.

In 1938, the Hispano and Lorraine engines were worn out and replaced by the Rolls Royce Kestrel.

So there were nine engines available. On May 23, 1936, the 201 crashed caused by a broken wing and on July 15, 1938 was the 208 crashed due to an engine failure.

The different versions of the D.XVII were extensively tested and compared.
For Hispano there were high expectations especially at greater heights. The manufacturer claimed that a height of 9600 m with a standard machine should be possible.
The Dutch altitude record was then a level of 9587 m obtained with a D. XVI in 1932.
With some modifications, such as an oxygen mask, a special flight suite, 100 octane fuel and special coolant on January 18, 1935, and after a number of test flights, with which the first vapour trails appeared, the record attempt was made. A level of  11000 m was achieved without any problems.
Shortly afterwards the pilot, Wittert van Hoogland, became unconscious, because the oxygen system froze. The plane continued flying and after about 20 minutes the pilot came back and could make a safe landing. After correction, the altitude reached was 10,180 m.

 

Serials Serials	Constr. nr. Constr. nr.	Date in service Date in service	Date out of service Date out of service	Notes notes
201		11-1933	23-05-1936	Crashed
202		11-1933
203		11-1933
204		11-1933
205		11-1933
206		11-1933
207		11-1933
208		11-1933	15-07-1938	Crashed
209		11-1933		Equipped with Lorraine 12 Hfrs Petrel engine rated 800 pk; In 1938 replaced with Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS
210		11-1933		Equipped with Hispano Suiza engine; In 1938 replaced with Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS
211		11-1933		Prototype F.D.32 for NEIAF and equipped with Curtiss Conqueror; In 1936 to LVA without engine and equipped with Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS

 

1/72nd Scale

Kits

• Master Model
  • Kit XX: A resin kit.

Modelling add-on

• --
  • Set --: --.

Decals

• --
  • Set --: ---.

1/48th Scale

Kits

• --
  • Kit --: --

Modelling add-on

• --
  • Set --: --.

Decals

• --
  • Set --: ---.

 

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

 

Literature.

Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 1.	Hugo Hooftman	Pag. 124 - 127	1977	Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië in beeld. Deel 1	Hugo Hooftman	Pag. 104 - 105	1978	Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Fokker, Bouwer aan de wereldluchtvaart	Thijs Postma	Pag. 88	1979	Uitgever: Unieboek b.v., Houten
Luchtvaartwereld; 2e jaargang nummer 5: Fokker D-XVII	Frits Gerdessen & Harm J. Hazewinkel	Pag. 154 - 159	1985	Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
40 Jaar luchtvaart in Indië	Gerard Casius & Thijs Postma	Pag. 34	1986	Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913	Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma	Pag. 48	1987	Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 20, nummer 4: Fokker D-XVII	Max Schep	Pag. 90 - 95	1990	Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk)	Willem Helfferich	Pag. 20 -	1994	Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Camouflage en Kentekens	J.Greuter e.a.		1997	Bonneville – Bergen (NH)

 

Websites.

• Fokker D.XVII
• Dutch AViation; Fokker D.XVII
• GRebbeberg.nl:Fokker D.XVII
• G02War2: Fokker D.XVII
• Wikipedia NL: Fokker D.XVII
• LVA-40: Fokker D.XVII

--