How long to reassemble a F.I Fokker Triplane

[tcrean7828]

Hi,

Here is a brain twister for some of you.

How long of a journey was it from Schwerin to Marckebeeke Airfield, Belgium?

How long would it have taken to reassemble a F.I 103/17 from a packaged kit on a railcar to a test flight?????

Taz this would be a simple one for you.

Tks in advance.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

[tcrean7828]

Hi all

Taz any help in this department, would be greatly appreciated.

How much time does it take to assemble an F.I 103/17. That is from the moment it arrives on the train to its first test flight?????

Also, how much time did it take for F.I 102/17 and 103/17 to get via rail to Marckebeeke Airfield, in occupied Belgium?????

thanks in advance.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

[Taz]

Tom- Fokker V aircraft series were among the easiest to assemble and disassemble due to the lack of bracing wires. To disassemble a Dr.I, the synchronizer linkages and stick bowden cables were disconnected and the MGS were removed. This allowed access to the removable upper aluminum panels which covered the middle wing attachments to the fuselage. The aileron control wires were disconnected and the cabane bracing wires disconnected. The top wing strut bolts were removed and the top wing taken off. The cabane struts were removed. The middle wing upper and lower interplane strut bolts were disconnected, the upper interplane struts were removed, as were the removable aluminum fuselage panels, and the middle wing unbolted from the fuselage. The lower wing struts were unbolted and removed and the removable bottom aluminum fuselage panel was removed for access to the lower wing bolts fastening it to the fuselage. The lower wing was carefully unbolted and dropped. The elevator control wires were disconnected and the tailplane struts and tailplane were removed.The propeller was removed at some stage in the disassembly process to prevent damage and the engine and cockpit covered to protect them during movement via rail or vehicle. Note all the removable aluminum panels were fastened with quick release "Fokker Nuts" which looked like toggle switches with a hole threaded through the bottom, and this expedited removal and replacement. These steps may have been arranged slightly differently, but you get the picture.

To assemble, reverse the process, probably leaving the flight control hook-ups for last. Probably no more than an hour or two for a skilled crew, especially since JG I may have had factory help to assemble the prototypes. At some point, though, F.I 103/17's interplane struts were assembled backwards, putting the WNs on the inside instead of the outside like they were on F.I 102/17 and the Dr.I.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[Taz]

Tom- The other part of your question is the two prototypes were shipped on 21 August from Schwerin and arrived at Marckebecke no later than 28 August, when Voss first flew F.I 103/17.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[tcrean7828]

Originally Posted by Taz

Tom- Fokker V aircraft series were among the easiest to assemble and disassemble due to the lack of bracing wires. To disassemble a Dr.I, the synchronizer linkages and stick bowden cables were disconnected and the MGS were removed. This allowed access to the removable upper aluminum panels which covered the middle wing attachments to the fuselage. The aileron control wires were disconnected and the cabane bracing wires disconnected. The top wing strut bolts were removed and the top wing taken off. The cabane struts were removed. The middle wing upper and lower interplane strut bolts were disconnected, the upper interplane struts were removed, as were the removable aluminum fuselage panels, and the middle wing unbolted from the fuselage. The lower wing struts were unbolted and removed and the removable bottom aluminum fuselage panel was removed for access to the lower wing bolts fastening it to the fuselage. The lower wing was carefully unbolted and dropped. The elevator control wires were disconnected and the tailplane struts and tailplane were removed.The propeller was removed at some stage in the disassembly process to prevent damage and the engine and cockpit covered to protect them during movement via rail or vehicle. Note all the removable aluminum panels were fastened with quick release "Fokker Nuts" which looked like toggle switches with a hole threaded through the bottom, and this expedited removal and replacement. These steps may have been arranged slightly differently, but you get the picture.

To assemble, reverse the process, probably leaving the flight control hook-ups for last. Probably no more than an hour or two for a skilled crew, especially since JG I may have had factory help to assemble the prototypes. At some point, though, F.I 103/17's interplane struts were assembled backwards, putting the WNs on the inside instead of the outside like they were on F.I 102/17 and the Dr.I.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Taz,

I thought that it would be more complicated than that - you make it sound soooo easy. Thanks for the info. I'll bet that there were a lot more folks than me, that wanted to know how it was done.

Excellent job - you are one of the best.

tks

cul

tcrean7828

tom

[Der Grüne Flieger]

Taz,

You amaze me. I have to know, where did you get that info.

Phil

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Tcrean7828:
With the three ground crew personnal, to disassemble and remove the wings propeller, cover the cockpit and machine guns with a canvas cover about 30 minutes. To roll the fuselage on a flat car. Remove the wheels and nail blocking to secure the fuselage prop and wheels to the flat bed, 30 minutes. Load the three wings on another flat bed carrage and and secure the wings to the airfoil curved separators to the flat bed 30 minutes. Cover the fuselage and wings with canvas covers 15 minutes apiece. Total time =120 minutes= 2 hours.
The two machines were accepted on 16 August 1917.
The two Fok.F.Is were shipped from Schwerin on 21 August 1917 and were unloaded and reassembled and ready for flight testing by 28 August 1917. They may have arrived on 27 August 1917. In any event they were flight tested on 28 August 1917. The unloading and reassembly would be slighly faster, its quicker to pull nails than hammer them. This is not normal transit time, generally ten to fourteen days from the factory to the Army Flugpark. Paul Leaman has the test flight by Voss on Fok.F.I 103/17 on 29 August 1917. However it was eight days in transit.
Blue skies,

[jumpinjan]

Originally Posted by Der Grüne Flieger

You amaze me. I have to know, where did you get that info.

Simple......Take down notes while you (and everyone else) watch Fred Murrin disassemble his Triplane
Jan

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Taz:
When the two Fok.F.I machines were accepted on 16 August 1917, they became Army property. I am quite sure
that these two Fok.F.I were shipped to Army Airpark 4 assembled there and flown to Marckebeke Airfield. They would have to have a rail siding and loading/unloading dock.
Blue skies,
Dan
PS: I was great to see you and Jan at D.C. I always look forward to seeing you and Jan and Greg.

[tcrean7828]

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Tcrean7828:
With the three ground crew personnal, to disassemble and remove the wings propeller, cover the cockpit and machine guns with a canvas cover about 30 minutes. To roll the fuselage on a flat car. Remove the wheels and nail blocking to secure the fuselage prop and wheels to the flat bed, 30 minutes. Load the three wings on another flat bed carrage and and secure the wings to the airfoil curved separators to the flat bed 30 minutes. Cover the fuselage and wings with canvas covers 15 minutes apiece. Total time =120 minutes= 2 hours.
The two machines were accepted on 16 August 1917.
The two Fok.F.Is were shipped from Schwerin on 21 August 1917 and were unloaded and reassembled and ready for flight testing by 28 August 1917. They may have arrived on 27 August 1917. In any event they were flight tested on 28 August 1917. The unloading and reassembly would be slighly faster, its quicker to pull nails than hammer them. This is not normal transit time, generally ten to fourteen days from the factory to the Army Flugpark. Paul Leaman has the test flight by Voss on Fok.F.I 103/17 on 29 August 1917. However it was eight days in transit.
Blue skies,

Dan_San_Abbott,
Thanks for the update, however I have some question's on the time line?

--Both were built as prototype's and first flown on 11 July 1917 at Schwerin.

-- I agree that both aircraft were accepted on 16 Aug 1917, Fokker F.I 102/17 Wn#1729 and then shipped.

-- I agree that the two Dreidecker Fokker F.I 102/17 and Fokker F.I 103/17 were delivered, after their completion in Schwerin and the acceptance certifications by the Center Acceptance Commission (ZAK) to the front.

-- But I thought that both F.I Triplanes were transported by rail and arrived at Marckebeeke Airfield on 26 August, were assembled and prepared for flight. However, bad weather intervened, until 28 August 1917. ‘Hunting with Richthofen’ and Translated by Jan Hayzlett - pg 146.

--On 28 Aug 1917 – Despite rain and high winds Werner Voss was to have performed an unofficial test flight that evening.

--On 27 Aug 1917 - all flights were essentially grounded due to weather conditions - heavy rain and hight winds.

--On the 29 Aug 1917, was the 1st official flight by Voss in F.I 103/17.

-- On 01 Sept 1917 - Anthony Fokker’s did a Publicity Presentation of F.I 102/17 and F.I 103/17 at Markebeeke, Belgium when the weather cleared a bit and at the same time, combat flying operations began for both aircraft.

It is just a bit confusing and a little bit of clearification would help a lot to understand these time frames.

Thanks in advance. and thanks for the time frame for teardown and transport.

cul

tcrean7828

tom