Netherlands' Fokker T.VIII-W bomber^1,2

Fokker T.VIII-W:

Fokker T.VIII-Wm used by Germans in the Aegean Sea:

Design

In 1937 the Dutch navy issued a specification for a twin engine seaplane capable of carrying a torpedo internally and optionally bombs.^1,2 In 1938 Fokker created a twin engined sea plane that would be used by the Dutch navy.¹

Engine

The engines powered two bladed metal propellers.¹

Wing

The Fokker T.VIII-W had a mid wing with the two engines.¹ Two large duralumin floats were located underneath.¹

Nose

The observer for the T.VIII-W was located in a glazed nose.¹

Armament

The radio operator was located in the compartment behind the pilot and controlled a flexible machine gun.¹ The pilot controlled a machine gun that was installed in a half wing.¹

Prototype

The prototype first flew in 1938.²

The T.VIII-W/C first flew in late 1939.²

Production

In 1938 an order for five T.VIII-Ws was placed.¹ These were delivered by June of 1939.¹ Then the Dutch Navy ordered 26 more for the East Indies.¹
Nineteen were initially ordered.² In early 1940 twelve were ordered for the Netherlands Naval Air Force.² None made it to the Netherlands East Indies.²

• Fokker T.VIII-Wc: 5^1,2
• Fokker T.VIII-Wg: 19^1,2
• Fokker T.VIII-Wm: 12^1,2
• Total: 36^1,2

Finland

In 1939 Finland ordered the Fokker T.VIII-Wc.¹ Five were constructed, and the last one converted to a land plane.² All were confiscated by the Germans.²

Variants

• Fokker T.VIII-Wg: Mixed wood and metal structure.^1,2 Fabric cover.²
• Fokker T.VIII-Wm: All metal.^1,2
• Fokker T.VIII-Wc: Larger mixed wood and metal structure.¹

Usage

Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands used the Fokker T.VIII-W.²

Germany

28 of T.VIII-Ws were used by the Germans as naval reconnaissance in the Mediterranean and the North Sea.¹
Germany took over or received delivery of:

• T.VIII-W/G: 8²
• T.VIII-W/M: 12²
• T.VIII-W/C: 5²

United Kingdom

On May 14, 1940, eight T.VIII-Ws flew to the United Kingdom.^1,2 These were used by the No. 320 Squadron (Dutch personnel) in the North Sea as convoy escorts.^1,2 Eventually the lack of spare parts caused the T.VIII-Ws from being used.^1,2

	Fokker T.VIII-W1	Fokker T.VIII-W/G2	Fokker T.VIII-W/M2	Fokker T.VIII-Wc1 Fokker T.VIII-W/C2
Type	Bomber1 Torpedo bomber2 Reconnaissance2
Crew	31,2 Pilot, observer, radio operator
Engine (Type)	2: Wright Whirlwind1	2: Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind2	2: Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind2	2: Bristol Mercury XI1,2
Cylinders	Radial 91	Radial 92	Radial 92	Radial 92
Cooling	Air1
Net HP	450 each1	450 each2	450 each2	902 each1
Propeller blades	2 each1
Dimensions
Span	59'1 17.98 m1	59' 1"2 18 m2	59' 1"2 18 m2	65' 6"1, 65' 7"2 19.98 m1, 20 m2
Length	42' 8"1 13 m1	42' 8"2 13 m2	42' 8"2 13 m2	48' 7"1, 49' 3"2 14.8 m1, 15.01 m2
Height	16' 5"1 5 m1	16' 5"2 5 m2	16' 5"2 5 m2
Wing area
Weight
Empty		7,055 lb2 2,150 kg2		9,700 lb2 4,400 kg2
Loaded	11,030 lb1 5,000 kg1	11,023 lb2 5,000 kg2		14,550 lb2 6,600 kg2
Performance
Speed	177 mph1 285 kph1			224 mph2 360 kph2
Speed @ 9,840' / 3,000 m		177 mph2 285 kph2
Cruising speed		137 mph2 220 kph2
Endurance
Climb
Service ceiling	22,300'1 6,800 m1	22,310'2 6,800 m2		19,030'2 5,800 m2
Range	1,710 miles1 2,750 km1	1,305 miles2 2,100 km2		1,056 miles2 1,700 km2
Armament	2 - 3: MG1
Nose		2: 7.9 mm MG2
Dorsal		2: 7.9 mm MG2
Ventral		2: 7.9 mm MG2
Bombs or torpedo	1,330 lb1 603 kg1	1,323 lb2 600 kg2

Sources:

1. Complete Book of World War II Combat Aircraft, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, Pierluigi Pinto, 1988
2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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