- Yes.
- No.
- In a future Dutch/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. 51 with the Wright Whirlwind engine for the Dutch Naval Aviation Service!
A Koolhoven F.K. 51 “Whirlwind”
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - 1/72 Koolhoven FK 51, Special Hobby -KLAAR-
Quick note:
Koolhoven didn’t give the various F.K. 51 variants any special names, they were all simply called F.K. 51. In order to properly suggest the different variants, I’m including the engine type within Quotation Marks next to the F.K. 51 name.
History
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A group of Koolhoven F.K. 51’s “Whirlwind” parked in a field
Source: Foto'sKoolhoven didn’t, to put it lightly, have a very good reputation with the Dutch Naval Aviation Service (Marineluchtvaartdienst in Dutch, MLD in short) due to a past aircraft model that the MLD had used from Koolhoven. So it was unlikely that the new F.K. 51 would ever end up serving with the MLD.
However, the F.K. 51 was liked so much by the Dutch Air Force in the mainland, word had spread to the MLD aswell. And at the time the MLD was using hopelessly outdated Fokker C.1’s and D.7’s, so something new was very much needed. The F.K. 51 would be used as the more advanced trainer that new pilots would use to train with navigation, overland flights and even some stunt maneuvers.
On the 1st of August 1936 the first order of six F.K. 51’s was made. Unlike the Dutch Air Force F.K. 51’s that were fitted with Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines, the F.K. 51’s for the MLD would be fitted with Wright Whirlwind engine. These six aircraft were given the registration numbers E-1 to E-6. And on the 18th of June 1937 another nine would be orderd, these getting the numbers E-7 to E-15.
At first the aircraft were working very well, there were some small issues, such as with visibility for the crews, but other then that everything was fine. But on the 10th of May 1938 the F.K. 51 E-6 suddenly crashed, severly injuring the pilot. Before the parts of the crashed plane had even arrived back at the base, anothe plane, the E-1, had also suddenly crashed. This time killing both men that were flying it.
It turned out that cracks had formed in the propellor blades. All F.K. 51’s of the MLD were grounded and new propellors had been ordered. Koolhoven made two new aircraft for the MLD as compensation for the accidents.
During the German invasion of the Netherlands on the 10th of May 1940, the F.K. 51’s were actually not used. The German attack of the air base where the F.K. 51’s were stationed also meant that most, if not all, were destroyed.
Design
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A rear machine gun on a Koolhoven F.K. 51 “Cheetah”, the F.K. 51 “Whirlwind” has this same setup
Source: IPMS Nederland - Koolhoven FK.51The Koolhoven F.K.51 was a two-seat trainer/light reconnaissance biplane. The aircraft operated by the MLD were fitted with the Wright Whirlwind R-975-E1 engine producing 365 hp.
The straight line speed of the aircraft was 253 km/h at 2280 meters.
The aircraft were armed with two M.20 Lewis machine guns. One in the upper left wing, and another in the rear for the gunner to use.
Specifications
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Crew: 2 (One Pilot, and one Radio Operator/Gunner)
Length: 7.85 m
Wingspan: 9 m
Height: 2.85 m
Empty weight: 1,450 kg
Full weight: 1,600 kg
Powerplant: Wright Whirlwind R-975-E1 (365 hp)
Maximum straight line speed: 253 km/h at 2280 meters
Service ceiling: 6,300 m
Armament
Guns:
1 × 7.9 mm M.20 Lewis machine gun
1 × 7.9 mm M.20 Lewis machine gun (Rear gunner)
Ingame
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As usualy with my Dutch vehicle suggestions, I ofcourse want to see this ingame in a Dutch or BeNeLux techtree. The F.K. 51 is a rather weak plane that could only work at the reserve tier of the game. The gunner can be usefull from time to time, but I think it would be outplayed by pretty much everything there, but it’s still an important plane to have from an historical point of view. But I’ll be honest, there are other aircraft that would be better to add first, like the Koolhoven F.K. 56.
Personally I would love to see this in a Dutch/BeNeLux techtree. This aircraft could be at the start of a Rank 1 attacker line in my opinion. But let me know where you would like to see this ingame in the poll above!
Ofcourse the BeNeLux has been added to France, so this is now the only option where Dutch Aircraft will go to. But it must be said that the Netherlands and France have nothing in common, and do not make sense to combine together ingame.
A Koolhoven F.K. 51 “Whirlwind” mid air, with the rear machine gun clearly visible
Source: Foto's
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
- https://www.tracesofwar.nl/articles/249/Koolhoven-FK51.htm
Secondairy sources:
Extra sources:
Photos: