Fokker
Industry | Aerospace |
---|---|
Founded | 22 February 1912 |
Founder | Anthony Fokker |
Defunct | 1996 |
Fate | Bankruptcy |
Headquarters | Berlin, Germany (former) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Key people | Anthony Fokker, Reinhold Platz, Walter Rethel |
Products | Commercial airliners Military aircraft |
Fokker (N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandse Vliegtuigenfabriek Fokker; lit. 'Royal Dutch Aircraft Factory Fokker'), was a Dutch
History
Fokker in Germany
At age 20, while studying in Germany, Anthony Fokker built his initial aircraft, the Spin (Spider)—the first Dutch-built plane to fly in his home country. Taking advantage of better opportunities in Germany, he moved to Berlin, where in 1912, he founded his first company, Fokker Aeroplanbau, later moving to the Görries suburb just southwest of Schwerin (at 53°36′45.90″N 11°22′31.60″E / 53.6127500°N 11.3754444°E), where the current company was founded, as Fokker Aviatik GmbH, on 12 February 1912.[1]
World War I
Fokker capitalized on having sold several
Fitted with a developed version of this gear, the M.5 became the
During World War I, Fokker engineers worked on the Fokker-Leimberger, an externally powered 12-barrel Gatling gun in the 7.92×57mm round claimed to be capable of firing over 7200 rounds per minute.[4]
Later in the war, after the Fokker D.V (the last design by earlier chief designer Martin Kreutzer), had failed to gain acceptance with the Luftstreitkräfte the German government forced Fokker (for their aircraft production expertise) and Junkers (for their pioneering all-metal airframe construction techniques, and advanced design concepts) to cooperate more closely, which resulted in the foundation of the Junkers-Fokker Aktiengesellschaft, or Jfa, on 20 October 1917. As this partnership proved to be troublesome, it was eventually dissolved. By then, former Fokker welder and new designer Reinhold Platz, who had taken the late Martin Kreutzer's place with the firm, had adapted some of Prof. Junkers' design concepts, that resulted in a visual similarity between the aircraft of those two manufacturers during the next decade.
Some of the noteworthy types produced by Fokker during the second half of the war, all designed primarily by Platz, included the
Return to the Netherlands
In 1919, Fokker, owing large sums in back taxes (including 14,250,000
After his company's relocation, many Fokker C.I and C.IV military airplanes were delivered to Russia, Romania, and the still-clandestine German air force. Success came on the commercial market, too, with the development of the Fokker F.VII, a high-winged aircraft capable of taking on various types of engines. Fokker continued to design and build military aircraft, delivering planes to the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Foreign military customers eventually included Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Hungary, and Italy. These countries bought substantial numbers of the Fokker C.V reconnaissance aircraft, which became Fokker's main success in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
1920s and 30s: Fokker's glory period
In the 1920s, Fokker entered its glory years, becoming the world's largest aircraft manufacturer by the late 1920s.[6] Its greatest success was the 1925 F.VIIa/3m trimotor passenger aircraft, which was used by 54 airline companies worldwide and captured 40% of the American market in 1936. It shared the European market with the Junkers all-metal aircraft, but dominated the American market until the arrival of the Ford Trimotor which copied the aerodynamic features of the Fokker F.VII, and Junkers structural concepts.
In 1923, Anthony Fokker moved to the United States, where in 1927, he established an American branch of his company, the
A serious blow to Fokker's reputation came after the 1931 crash of a Transcontinental & Western Air Fokker F-10 in Kansas, when it became known that the crash was caused by a structural failure caused by wood rot. Notre Dame legendary football coach Knute Rockne was among the fatalities, prompting extensive media coverage and technical investigation. As a result, all Fokkers were grounded in the US, along with many other types that had copied Fokker's wings.
In 1934
On December 23, 1939, Fokker died in New York City after a three-week illness.
World War II
At the outset of World War II, the few G.Is and D.XXIs of the Dutch Air Force were able to score a respectable number of victories against the Luftwaffe, but many were destroyed on the ground before they could be used.
The Fokker factories were confiscated by the Germans and were used to build
Post-World War II rebuilding
Rebuilding after the war proved difficult. The market was flooded with cheap surplus planes from the war. The company cautiously started building
A new factory was built next to
In 1958, the
In 1962, the F-27 was followed by the jet-powered
In 1969, Fokker agreed to an alliance with
Fokker was one of the main partners in the
Aerospace
In 1967, Fokker started a modest space division building parts for European
Subsequently, Fokker contributed to many European satellite projects, as well as to the
The space division became more and more independent, until just before Fokker's bankruptcy in 1996, it became a fully stand-alone corporation, known successively as Fokker Space and Systems, Fokker Space, and Dutch Space. On 1 January 2006, it was taken over by
Fokker 50, Fokker 100, and Fokker 70
After a brief and unsuccessful collaboration effort with
Initial sales of the Fokker 100 were good, leading Fokker to begin development of the Fokker 70, a smaller version of the F100, in 1991, but sales of the F70 were below expectations and the F100 had strong competition from Boeing and Airbus by then.
In 1992, after a long and arduous negotiation process, Fokker signed an agreement with
Bankruptcy
On 22 January 1996, the board of directors of Daimler-Benz decided to focus on its core automobile business and cut ties with Fokker. The next day, an Amsterdam court extended temporary creditor protection.
Discussions were initiated with Bombardier on 5 February 1996. After having reviewed and evaluated the opportunities and challenges Fokker represented at the time, Bombardier renounced its acquisition on 27 February.[8] On 15 March, the Fokker company was declared bankrupt.[9]
Differences in national culture could have played a role in the failed takeover of Fokker by
Those divisions of the company that manufactured parts and carried out maintenance and repair work were taken over by
Other divisions of the company that were profitable continued as separate companies: Fokker Space (later Dutch Space) and
In November 2009, Stork Aerospace changed its name to Fokker Aerospace Group. As of 2011, the Fokker Aerospace Group changed its name to Fokker Technologies. The five individual business units within Fokker Technologies all carry the Fokker name:
- Fokker Aerostructures
- Fokker Landing Gear
- Fokker Elmo
- Fokker Techniek
- Fokker Services
The former Fokker aircraft facilities at Schiphol were redeveloped into the Fokker Logistics Park. One of the former Fokker tenants is Fokker Services.
In 1996, a new company named Rekkof Aircraft ("Fokker" backwards) attempted to restart production of the Fokker F70 and F100, supported by suppliers and airlines. The company was later renamed to Netherlands Aircraft Company, and started to focus on developing a new aircraft named F130NG. This attempt was not successful either, and the project came to a standstill in 2010. In 2023, after years of no updates, the company was renamed Fokker Next Gen. Along with the new name reveal, the company announced that they are developing a new hydrogen-powered regional airliner. Visualisations have been provided, but the name of the aircraft is yet not publicly disclosed.
In 2015, GKN considers Fokker Technologies as a possible acquisition to supply for the hybrid car market. The British automotive and aerospace supplier plans to buy the Netherlands-based Fokker for €706 million.[11]
In 2021, Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek are acquired by Panta Holdings, a Dutch investment fund. The acquisition sought to strengthen Panta Holdings’ aerospace footprint.[12] Panta Holdings also owns Fokker Next Gen.
Famous Fokker aircraft and pilots
- In 1915, the Fokker E.I was the first air superiority during the Fokker Scourge.
- Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron," the top scoring World War I ace) is associated with an all-red Fokker Dr.I triplane, at least for some of his 80 victories (1917–1918)
- The 1918 Fokker D.VII performed so well that surrender of all examples of the type was demanded when Germany capitulated.
- In 1923, John Arthur Macready completed the first non-stop flight spanning the North American continent in a Fokker T-2.
- In 1927, Richard E. Byrd completed his trans-Atlantic flight from New York City to Paris in the Fokker F.VII America.
- In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger in a Fokker F.VII.
- In 1928, Charles Kingsford Smith completed the first trans-Pacific flight in another F.VII, the Southern Cross.
- Finnish pilot Jorma Sarvanto shot down six Soviet Ilyushin DB-3s in a quick succession using a Fokker D.XXI fighter during the Winter War, drawing international attention.
- The 1951 Fokker S.14 Machtrainer was one of the first purpose-built jet training aircraft in the world.
- King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was a co-pilot about twice per month for 21 years on commercial KLM Cityhopper and Martinair flights flying Fokker 70 aircraft.[13]
Fokker aircraft
1912–1921
- Fokker Spin
- Fokker M.1 – M.4 Spin(military version)
- Fokker W.1 – W.2
- Fokker M.5
- Fokker M.6
- Fokker B.I (M.7)
- Fokker W.3/W.4
- Fokker A.I (M.8)
- Fokker K.I (M.9)
- Fokker B.I (M.10E)
- Fokker B.II (M.10Z)
- Fokker M.11
- Fokker M.12
- Fokker Eindecker fighters
- Fokker E.I (M.14)
- Fokker E.II (M.14)
- Fokker E.III (M.14)
- Fokker E.IV (M.15)
- Fokker M.16E (prototype) and M.16Z
- Fokker D.I/B.III (M.18)
- Fokker D.II (M.17)
- Fokker D.III (M.19)
- Fokker M.20
- Fokker D.IV (M.21)
- Fokker D.V (M.22)
- Fokker V.1
- Fokker V.2 and V.3
- Fokker V.4
- Fokker F.I (V.5)
- Fokker Dr.I ('Dreidecker')
- Fokker V.6
- Fokker V.7
- Fokker V.8
- Fokker V.9, V.12, V.14, V.16 and V.33
- Fokker V.10
- Fokker D.VI (V.11)
- Fokker D.VII (V.13)
- Fokker V.17-V.25
- Fokker E.V/D.VIII (V.26)
- Fokker V.27 and V.37
- Fokker V.28
- Fokker V.29
- Fokker V.30
- Fokker V.31
- Fokker V.32
- Fokker V.34
- Fokker V.35
- Fokker V.36
- Fokker C.I (V.38)
- Fokker V.39 and V.40
- Fokker V.42
- Fokker F.I (V.44)
- Fokker C.I
- Fokker F.VI
- Fokker F.II (V.45)
- Fokker F.III
- Fokker F.IV
- Fokker T.II
- Fokker S.I (V.43)
- Fokker D.IX
- Fokker D.X (V.41)
1922–1940
- Fokker B.I
- Fokker S.II
- Fokker S.III
- Fokker F.V
- Fokker C.IV
- Fokker D.XI
- Fokker DC.I
- Fokker T.III
- Fokker B.II
- Fokker D.XII
- Fokker F.VII
- Fokker C.V
- Fokker D.XIII
- Fokker S.IV
- Fokker D.XIV
- Fokker F.X
- Fokker B.III
- Fokker F.XI "Universal"
- Fokker F.VIII
- Fokker T.IV & T.IVa
- Fokker B.V
- Fokker C.VII-W
- Fokker C.VIII
- Fokker B.IV
- Fokker F.XIII
- Fokker D.XV
- Fokker F.XIV
- Fokker D.XVI
- Fokker F.IX
- Fokker B.VI
- Fokker C.IX
- Fokker F.XI
- Fokker S.V
- Fokker D.XVII
- Fokker F.XII
- Fokker F.XV
- Fokker F.XVI
- Fokker F.XVII
- Fokker F.XXI
- Fokker F.XIX
- Fokker D.XVIII
- Fokker F.XVIII
- Fokker S.VI
- Fokker F.XX
- Fokker C.X
- Fokker S.VII
- Fokker F.36
- Fokker Model 118
- Fokker D.XIX
- Fokker D.XX
- Fokker DC.II
- Fokker T.VI (Model 115)
- Fokker F.22
- Fokker C.XI-W
- Fokker F.23
- Fokker B.V (Model 109)
- Fokker F.40 (Model 160)
- Fokker T.VII
- Fokker F.56 (Model 127)
- Fokker C.XII
- Fokker C.13W
- Fokker D.XXI
- Fokker F.37
- Fokker G.1
- Fokker T.V
- Fokker S.IX
- Fokker T.VI (Model 152)
- Fokker D.22
- Fokker G.2
- Fokker T.VIII
- Fokker T.10
- Fokker D.23
- Fokker F.24 (Model 193)
- Fokker T.IX
- Fokker D.24
- Fokker G.3
- Fokker S.X
- Fokker C.14W
- Fokker C.15W
- Fokker F.60
Fokker-Atlantic designs
- Fokker A-2 Ambulance
- Fokker AO-1 Artillery Observation / Atlantic Observation
- Fokker C-2
- Fokker C-5
- Fokker C-7
- Fokker C-14
- Fokker C-15
- Fokker C-16
- Fokker C-20
- Fokker CO-4
- Fokker CO-4 Mailplane
- Fokker CO-8
- Fokker LB-2 Light Bomber
- Fokker O-27
- Fokker FLB/PJ (AF.15)
- Fokker PW-5
- Fokker PW-6
- Fokker PW-7
- Fokker RA
- Fokker T-2
- Fokker XA-7 Attack
- Fokker XB-8 Bomber
- Fokker XJA-1
- Fokker XLB-2 Light Bomber
- Fokker B.11 Sport/Trainer
- Fokker F-7
- Fokker F-9 Universal Airliner & freighter
- Fokker F-10
- Fokker F-11
- Fokker F-12
- Fokker F-13
- Fokker F-14
- Fokker F-18 Super Universal Airliner & freighter
- Fokker F-32
- Fokker DH-4M
- Fokker-Hall H-51
1945–1996
- Fokker F.25 Promotor
- Fokker S-11 & S-12 Instructor
- Fokker S-13 Universal Trainer
- Fokker S.14 Machtrainer
- Fokker S.15
- Fokker S.16
- Fokker F26 Phantom
- Fokker F27 Friendship
- Fokker F28 Fellowship
- Fokker F.29
- Fokker 50
- Fokker 60 Utility
- Fokker 70
- Fokker 80
- Fokker 100
- Fokker 120NG (in development)
- Fokker 130 (concept stage only)
- VFW-Fokker/Republic Aviation D-24 Alliance Variable sweep wing VTOL aircraft
References
Notes
- ^ "Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker." Fokker, A Living History. Retrieved: 19 December 2010.
- ^ Weyl 1965, pp. 65–67.
- ^ Weyl 1965, p. 96.
- ^ "Motor Guns-A flashback to 1914–18." Flight, 8 March 1957, pp. 313–314.
- ^ Weyl 1965, p.354.
- ^ Hardiman, Jake (2021-09-26). "Fokker: A Brief History". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
- ^ Norway, Neville Shute (1954). Slide Rule. London: William Heinemann. pp. 219–229.
- ^ "Bombardier Ends Talks With Fokker" (Press release). Bombardier. February 27, 1996. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Kevin O'Toole (20 March 1996). "Fokker bankrupt". Flightglobal. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- .
- ^ "GKN to acquire Fokker Technologies for $771 million". Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Panta Holdings acquires Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek". www.journal-aviation.com. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ Associated Press in The Hague (17 May 2017). "Dutch king reveals he held part-time job as airline pilot". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
Bibliography
- Bowers, Peter and Ernest McDowell. Triplanes: A Pictorial History of the World's Triplanes and Multiplanes. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 1993. ISBN 0-87938-614-2.
- Dierikx, Marc. Fokker: A Transatlantic Biography. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1997. ISBN 1-56098-735-9.
- Gerdessen, F. (September–October 2001). "Fokker's 'Paper' Fighters". ISSN 0143-5450.
- Hegener, Henri. Fokker – the man and the aircraft Herts, UK: Harleyford Publications, 1961. LCCN 61-10595
- Klaauw, Bart van der (March–April 1997). "Fokker's American Years". ISSN 0143-5450.
- Molson, K.M. Pioneering in Canadian Air Transport. Winnipeg: James Richardson & Sons, 1974. ISBN 0-919212-39-5.
- Nevin, David. The Pathfinders (The Epic of Flight Series). Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, 1980. ISBN 0-8094-3256-0.
- Postma, Thijs. Fokker: Aircraft Builders to the World. London: Jane's, 1979. ISBN 978-0-71060-059-2.
- Weyl, A.R. Fokker: The Creative Years. London: Putnam, 1965. ISBN 978-0851778174