- Yes.
- No.
- In a future Belgian/BeNeLux techtree.
- In the French BeNeLux sub-tree
- Other (Please explain in the comments).
- I said “No” in the first question.
Hello everyone! Today I’m going to suggest the Koolhoven F.K. 56 in service with the Belgian Air Force!
A Belgian F.K. 56 parked on an airbase
Source: https://www.belgian-wings.be/koolhoven-fk56
History
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A F.K. 56 standing in front of a couple of hangers
Source: https://www.belgian-wings.be/koolhoven-fk56/k-101The Belgian Air Force was, together with the Dutch Air Force, the only operator of the F.K. 56. Just like the Dutch Air Force, the Belgian one was in desperate need of new fighter-trainers. Koolhoven’s F.K. 56 was a perfect aircraft for this role, so in Febuari 1940 an order was made for 20 F.K. 56’s.
If you want to read more about the Prototype history of the F.K. 56, then make sure to check out my Dutch F.K. 56 suggestions:
After Koolhoven was finished with the Dutch order of 10 F.K. 56’s, work immediately continued to now make the Belgian aircraft.
Work was going well and the first aircraft were already being send to Belgium, with the first one delivered already having 50 hours of service time. But sadly around this time Germany invaded the Netherlands, and completely bombed the Koolhoven factory, destroying all airframes and components that were there ready to be used.Only 7 of the 20 ordered aircraft were delivered at this time. These seven aircraft were assigned to the 4th flight training school and would fly allongside Belgian Fairey Firefly’s, Foxes, Breguet XIX’s and Potez 33’s.
The Germans targetted enemy airbases specifically, and so many of the F.K. 56’s were lost during these attacks. Only 2 to 3 F.K. 56’s remained undamaged, but what exactly became of them after Germany had invaded is unclear. What we do know is that none remain to this day, so they were most likely destroyed.
Two F.K. 56’s parked on a field
Source: https://www.belgian-wings.be/koolhoven-fk56/k-107
Design
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A damaged F.K. 56 getting inspected by German troops
Source: https://www.belgian-wings.be/koolhoven-fk56/k-103The Koolhoven F.K. 56 was a fighter-trainer with a retractable landing gear. The Belgian models were powered by a 450 hp Wright Whirlwind R-975-E3 engine.
The straight line speed at an altitude of 500 meters was 300 km/h. Which isn’t much, but then again this is only a training aircraft we’re talking about!
The Belgian F.K. 56’s differed slightly from the Dutch models in a couple of ways:
- They had a different retracting mechanism for the landing gear.
- Rubber fuel tanks were added to the wings.
- A single machine gun was added to the right wing, with a sight for the pilot.
- The rear cockpit was shorter.
Specifications
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Crew: 2 (One Pilot, and one Co-Pilot/Gunner)
Length: 7.85 m
Wingspan: 11.5 m
Height: 2.3 m
Empty weight: 1,000 kg
Full weight: 1,700 kg
Powerplant: Wright Whirlwind R-975-E3 (450 hp)
Maximum straight line speed: 300 km/h at 500 meters
Service ceiling: 7,300 m
Armament
Guns:
1 × 7.62 mm FN-Browning machine gun
(Optionally) 1 × 7.62 mm FN-Browning machine gun (Rear gunner)
Ingame
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As usualy with my Belgian vehicle suggestions, I ofcourse want to see this ingame in a Dutch or BeNeLux techtree. The F.K. 56 is a simple rather underpowered aircraft that would be perfect for the lower ranks.
Personally I would love to see this in a Dutch/BeNeLux techtree. This Belgian model would be a perfect aircraft for a attacker aircraft line in the researchable techtree in my opinion. But let me know where you would like to see this ingame in the poll above!
An F.K. 56 at an airbase
Source: https://www.belgian-wings.be/koolhoven-fk56/k-105
So there you have it! Please make sure to vote in the poll above, and let me know what you think of this little fighter aircraft!
Sources
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Main sources:
- “Koolhoven, Nederlandse vliegtuigbouwer in de schaduw van Fokker” book by Theo Wesselink & Thijs Postma
Secondairy sources:
Extra sources:
Photos:
