FOKKER D.VIII

By 1918, the final year of the First World War, the name 'Fokker' was already being commonly spoken in most households.  From the game changing E.III 'Eindecker monoplane that became very active in 1915, winning the upper hand against all other contenders with its forward firing machine gun, through the distinctive Triplane that was made famous by Manfred von Richthofen, the famous 'Red Baron' flying his all-red example, and finally the much admired D.VII biplane that arrived late in 1917 and soon became the staple German fighter for the rest of the conflict. But before the war was over, Dutchman AnthOny Fokker's gifted designer Reinhold Platz delivered another stunning combat machine. Originally released as the E.V, the aircraft designation changed to the D.VIII, this time with a high-mounted 'parasol' wing. The Fokker D.VIII represents the evolution of a distinguished line of fighters, following in the footsteps of iconic aircraft like the Fokker Dr.1 Triplane and the superb Fokker D.VII. Notably, it introduced a departure from its predecessors with its distinctive parasol monoplane design.

First flown in May 1918, the new monoplane brought many attributes to the contest, but some early wing failures slowed deliveries until that problem with subcontracted mainplanes was fully resolved. For this reason it was not until the second half of 1918 that these aircraft went into service in significant numbers.  Of course the war ended on 11th November 1918, by which time only 381 D.VIII variants had been built of which just 85 had flown in front line service. Tested by fighter pilots in the spring of 1918, the D.VIII was praised for its impressive rate of climb and overall performance, a testament to its rotary engine. Its unique wing arrangement set it apart from other WWI era fighters, contributing to its sleek profile in the air. Allied pilots, observing its narrow fuselage and parasol wing configuration, aptly nicknamed it the 'Flying Razor'.

Sadly, just one original example of this significant aircraft remains, the fuselage of which can be seen at the Caproni Museum at Trento, Italy. This has been visited in recent times by members of the Classic Fighters / Omaka AHC Board, collecting valuable photographs to assist with the pursuit of accuracy on local projects.

Thankfully, we are fortunate to have two examples of the D.VIII based here at Omaka. One of these was built by renowned WW-I Fokker authority Achim Engels who continues to own this aircraft which he has kindly placed on long term loan to the Omaka AHC. This aircraft has recently undergone some deep maintenance as well as an engine change, power now furnished by a CAMS Gnome Monosoupape built right here at Omaka by Classic Aero machining Services, suppliers of WW-I rotary engines to enthusiasts, restorers and historians all over the world. This aircraft is presently in the final preparations for joining the New Zealand civil aircraft register, with the team from JEM Aviation managing the final details. If all goes to plan it will fly during August 2025.

The second Omaka Fokker D.VIII, is an advanced project which has been on the back burner, but we hope to see it also being moved across the finish line over the next year or so.