Fok.Dr.I  144/17 

‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

The German premier production layout of the “Triplane” was the Fokker V.5 ( the military designation was Fokker Dr.I.)  Developed in the summer of 1917 from a biplane scheduled for the Austro-Hungarians the pedigree of the V.5 is well documented in The Fokker Triplane by A.Imrie. Though only 320 were actually built, allied combat  reports  record that 178 crashed and 161 as “down out of control”.  Not counting captured or aircraft relinquished after the war .  Normally fitted with a 120 hp Oberursel rotary in its fighter assignment capacity, the Triplane gave a good account for itself in combat.  Its maneuverability and its link to the number one German Ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen made the Triplane legendary in comparison to its relatively small contribution overall.          

This is the Aerobase 1/48 Fokker Dr.I kit. The kit internal structure is brass etched metal throughout.  All other cockpit details are from the DML / Dragon kit. The ammunition box is modified by cutting out notches in the lower corners per the original type. The upper forward bracing is metal rod and the instrument on the original piece is not found on the real aircraft.  Two scratch built instruments are added to the sides attached to the metal rods as on the original type.  These were the tachometer and oil pressure gauges.   The rigging will stainless steel wire.  The propellor is laminated wood carved to shape. At the time of these photos it was about 90% finished.

This kit represents Fokker Dr.I 144/17 flown by Ltn Eberhard  Stapenhorst of Jasta 11 when he was brought down by Anti-aircraft fire and captured on 13 Jan. 1918.  It was given the British capture number G.125   It was later displayed with other captured aircraft in the “Agriculture Hall” in Islington.  All of which had half of their coverings removed to display internal structures to the public for the price of 1 penny.  Proceeds went to the RAF Hospital Fund.