A Fokker aircraft is the subject of today's look at aviation history.
After looking at first flights over the last days, today in 1925 is record day.
Fokker D-XIII drawing from October 1926
On the 16th of July 1925, an early production Fokker D.XIII set four world speed records on one day!
An airspeed record for carrying a 500 kg/1,102 lb payload at 144 knots (265.7 km/h or 165.7 mph)
the record for carrying the same payload over a distance of 200 km at 143 knots (264.2 km/h or 164.7 mph),
Setting the same records as under 1. and 2. but for carrying a 250 kg (551 lb) payload.
The Fokker D.XIII was not designed as a "cargo" aircraft, it was a fighter by design. It was based on the Fokker D.XI. With a better engine and aerodynamics, the Fokker D.XIII was used by the (then) illegal flying school of the German Army in the Soviet Union. Fokker D.XI
The order book of Fokker showed the aircraft being built for Argentina, however, the 50 aircraft were shipped to the Soviet Union. They were used up to 1933 when the remaining aircraft were handed over to the Soviet Air Force.
The Fokker D.XIII was designed following the (at that time) conventional ideas. Fixed main landing gear, tail skid, open cockpit, and staggered wings. The fuselage was made of fabric-covered steel tubing *(welded), while the wooden structure of the wings was covered with plywood.
Some aircraft specifications for the Fokker D.XIII
Crew: One pilot
Length: 7.90 m (25 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 21.5 m2 (231 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,220 kg (2,690 lb)
Gross weight: 1,650 kg (3,640 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Napier Lion XI , 425 kW (570 hp)
Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
Range: 600 km (380 mi, 330 nmi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,250 ft)
Rate of climb: 9.8 m/s (1,930 ft/min)
Armament: 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns in forward fuselage