- 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. 56!
A Production model F.K. 56 in Dutch service
Source: Foto's
History
Spoiler
A F.K. 56 in a hanger, to the right of it is the 1st Prototype F.K. 56
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - Koolhoven F.K.56 1:72 resin kit van Dujin Models -KLAAR-During the 1930’s the Dutch airforce was desperately trying to replace all their aging aircraft with more modern powerfull models. One important aircraft type that was required was that of a fighter-trainer. In other words, a mono-wing training aircraft.
Frits Koolhoven was asked if he could develop a new trainer in a short period of time. As is expected of Koolhoven, he quickly set out to make a new aircraft within a very short period of time. He did this by re-using parts of other aircraft he was already making.
If you want to read more about the Prototype development of the F.K. 56 then check out my post about the F.K. 56 Prototype PH-ATE: Koolhoven F.K. 56 Prototype "PH-ATE", the gull-wing trainer!
An F.K. 56 standing in a field
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - Koolhoven F.K.56 1:72 resin kit van Dujin Models -KLAAR-After the two F.K. 56 Prototypes came the first Production model prototype. This was the third F.K. 56 made, and made it’s first flight on the 30th of October 1939. The production model of the F.K. 56 differed a bit from the Prototype. The biggest difference was the wings. The Prototypes were fitted with gull wings, but these were quite heavy so they were replaced with standard mid mounted straight wings.
Another change was the retractable landing gear. Instead of it retracting under the wings in large fairings like on the Prototypes, it now retracted into the wing and the big fairings were removed.The first production model F.K. 56 was still reserved for testing, but on a test flight on the 4th of Januari 1940 the aircraft was to test out it’s max diving speed. However during the dive one of the wings broke of and the aircraft crashed straight down into the ground, killing the pilot in the progress. It turned out that there was a weakness in the wings that made this happen during dives. As soon as this was figured out, all F.K. 56’s, and even the F.K. 58’s that also seemed to have this weakness, were all changed to fix this flaw.
The Dutch Air Force ended up ordering 10 F.K. 56’s, and these were all delivered before the 10th of May 1940. However the Air Force realised they need even more, so another order of 10 was made. But these extra 10 were never made, because ofcourse Germany would invade the Netherlands around this time. All F.K. 56’s were destroyed during the fighting, and the Koolhoven factory was bombed by German bombers, completely destroying all remaining F.K. 56 airframes and parts that were awaiting completion.
At the end of the day the F.K. 56 didn’t have time to make a name for itself. But aside from the flaw in the wing that was fixed shortly after it was found, the aircraft were simple, reliable and definetly would have gotten the job done if they had just a bit more time to shine.
An F.K. 56 taking of
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - Koolhoven F.K.56 1:72 resin kit van Dujin Models -KLAAR-
Design
Spoiler
A closeup of the retractable landing gear of a Production model F.K. 56
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - Koolhoven F.K.56 1:72 resin kit van Dujin Models -KLAAR-The Koolhoven F.K. 56 was a fighter-trainer with a retractable landing gear. The Production 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 aircraft was ofcourse made as a training aircraft with duel controls for two pilots. But there were many more variants proposed for the F.K. 56. Calling them variants is not really accurate, it’s more like different loadouts. By removing things like a radio the aircraft could save weight to use for something else like camera equipment, or even some light bombs. Here are all the proposed loadouts, sorted by type:
Unarmed trainers:
- Unarmed trainer with dual controlls
- Unarmed radio trainer
Armed trainers:
- Armed trainer with dual controlls (Only wing mounted machine guns)
Unarmed Militairy models:
- Unarmed photo-recon
- Unarmed recon for high altitude flights, fitted with oxygen tanks
Armed Militairy models:
- Armed Recon (Only a rear gunner)
- Light bomber with a 55kg bomb load (Most likely only a rear gunner)
- Armed high altitude photo-recon with radio (Wing mounted machine guns and rear gunner)
If the Dutch Air Force had more time and gotten their hands on more F.K. 56’s we might have seen more of these loadouts. But as it currently stands it looks like the majority of Dutch F.K. 56’s were the unarmed trainers with dual controlls.
A cutaway drawing of a Production model F.K. 56
Source: IPMS Nederland - Koolhoven FK.56
Specifications
Spoiler
A blueprint of the F.K. 56
Source: Modelbrouwers.nl modelbouw • Toon onderwerp - Koolhoven F.K.56 1:72 resin kit van Dujin Models -KLAAR-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:
2 × 7.9 mm M.36 FN-Browning machine guns
1 × 7.9 mm M.20 Lewis machine gun (Rear gunner)Bombs: (Max load of 55kg)
Most likely 1 × 50kg or 2 × 25 kg
Ingame
Spoiler
As usualy with my Dutch 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. It’s weaponry is not great, but it does have a gunner. It would feel right at home with other reserve tier aircraft.
Personally I would love to see this in a Dutch/BeNeLux techtree. This Production 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!
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.
An F.K. 56 standing in a field with a group of men posing for a photo
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
Spoiler
Main sources:
- “Koolhoven, Nederlandse vliegtuigbouwer in de schaduw van Fokker” book by Theo Wesselink & Thijs Postma
- IPMS Nederland - Koolhoven FK.56
Secondairy sources:
Extra sources:
Photos: