Fokker D.XXI
Fokker / VL · Netherlands · first flew 1936 · fighter
The Fokker D.XXI was a Dutch single-seat fighter monoplane of the late 1930s, notable for its fixed undercarriage and wooden wing construction combined with a metal fuselage. It served with the Dutch and Finnish air forces.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Dutch fixed-undercarriage monoplane fighter of the late 1930s
- Low-wing monoplane with spatted fixed gear
- Used by Finland against the Soviet Union in Winter War
A low-wing monoplane with a noticeably fixed and spatted undercarriage, a radial engine, and a relatively slender fuselage. The fixed gear immediately distinguishes it from near-contemporaries like the Hurricane or Spitfire. The tapered wings and rounded wingtips are characteristic.
Specifications
- The Fokker D.XXI has a length of 8.2 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 460 km/h (286 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Fokker for the Netherlands East Indies Army Air Service, the D.XXI also entered service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force and was licence-built in Finland. It saw intense combat during the Finnish Winter War (1939–40) against the Soviet Air Force, and Dutch D.XXIs fought briefly against the Luftwaffe during the May 1940 invasion. Despite its fixed undercarriage, its manoeuvrability allowed Finnish pilots to score significant victories.
Variants
The Finnish-built version used a Bristol Mercury engine rather than the original Mercury VIII; minor armament and equipment differences also existed.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Finnish Air Force; Finnish aircraft remained in service into the Continuation War (1941–44), though increasingly relegated to secondary duties.
Related aircraft
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