NVI F.K.31
F.K.31 | |
---|---|
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Role | Reconnaissance-fighter |
Manufacturer | Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie |
First flight | June 1923 |
Introduction | 1925 |
Retired | 1927 |
Primary user | Finnish Air Force |
Number built | 17 |
NVI F.K.31was aDutchdesignedparasol wingtwo seat reconnaissance-fighter, which was developed in the 1920s byFrederick Koolhoven.The aircraft saw some service in theFinnish Air Force.
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/De_Monge_M.101_C2_L%27A%C3%A9ronautique_January%2C1926.jpg/220px-De_Monge_M.101_C2_L%27A%C3%A9ronautique_January%2C1926.jpg)
The F.K.31 became Koolhoven's first design for theN.V. Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie( "National Aircraft Industry" ) a two-seat scout and fighter. Its prototype became the sensation of the Paris Air Salon of 1922.[citation needed]However, the production of the F.K.31 met with many difficulties, forcing the N.V. Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie to close down.
Further development was carried out in France, resulting in theDe Monge M.101 C2,but only a single example was built, powered by aGnome & Rhône 9Acradial engine.
Use in Finland
[edit]TheFinnish Air Forceused twelve F.K.31s between 1926-1932. The aircraft had been purchased while the development still was being carried out. The Finnish pilots disliked the aircraft and the Finnish Air Force F.K.31s flew for fewer than 6 hours each.
The Koolhoven F.K.31 was calledKolho( "Clumsy" ) orKolhovene( "Clumsy Boat" ) in the Finnish Air Force.
Operators
[edit]Specifications
[edit]Data fromGreen & Swanborough (1997) p.461
General characteristics
- Crew:Two
- Length:7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan:13.7 m (44 ft 11 in)
- Height:3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
- Wing area:27.2 m2(293 sq ft)
- Empty weight:1,040 kg (2,293 lb)
- Gross weight:1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
- Powerplant:1 ×Bristol JupiterIV nine-cylinderradial,310 kW (420 hp)
- Propellers:2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed:255 km/h (158 mph, 138 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
- Endurance:6 hr
Armament
- Guns:One or two fixed forward firingmachine guns,one more on mounting in rear cockpit
References
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Green, William; Gordon Swanborough (1994).The Complete Book of Fighters.New York: Smithmark.ISBN0-8317-3939-8.