Fokker E.IV
Fokker · Germany · first flew 1915 · fighter
The Fokker E.IV was the final and most powerful variant of the Fokker Eindecker monoplane, introducing a more powerful 160 hp engine and twin synchronised machine guns during the First World War. It represented the apex of the 'Fokker Scourge' period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI Eindecker monoplane with mid-mounted shoulder wing
- Twin Spandau synchronised machine guns — unusual for a Fokker Eindecker
- Two-bay wire-braced parasol with rotary or inline engine
Virtually identical in outline to the E.III but distinguished by the larger-diameter rotary or Oberursel inline engine cowling and a slightly broader fuselage cross-section.
Specifications
- The Fokker E.IV has a length of 7.5 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in late 1915, the E.IV was hoped to restore German superiority, but its heavier powerplant caused handling difficulties and performance did not improve sufficiently over the E.III. Pilots such as Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke flew the type briefly. It was quickly overtaken by Allied pushers and new biplane designs.
Variants
The E.IV was the fourth main variant of the Eindecker series, following the E.I, E.II, and E.III. A few carried three guns experimentally.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the German Luftstreitkräfte on the Western Front from late 1915 into 1916. Numbers were small and it was soon replaced.
Related aircraft
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