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another reason is that the cost of installing the retractable gear was quite high.
on the other hand if mangrove is right about 30 km/u increase with same power source... that would be a quite considerable improvement.
maybe the winterwar threw a spanner in the works.
Yes that would give the aircraft a level speed of, what, 490-500 km/h? Still slower than the 109, but the gap would definitely have been smaller.I think the Finns had prospects to get better, more modern planes by 1941.
The explation may lie at the fact the Fokker was designed quite well at the beginning and the aerodynamics couldn't be improved as much as they would like to.
On the other hand if Mangrove is right about 30 km/h increase with same power source... that would be a quite considerable improvement.
Maybe the Winter war threw a spanner in the works.
Found an old article on the D.XXI which spoke of one example being fitted with "a completely redesigned wing, known as the E-I wing, which was tapered and had a considerable wash-out towards the tip".
Mention is also made of a Finnish reconnaissance version that had "transparent panels extending almost to the tail plane."
I haven't heard of 109's having slots in their wings. You might have mixed them with wings slats, which they did have. These were in the leading edge of the wing and popped up to increase lift in while manouvering or flying slower.On the other hand all Finnish Fokkers were modified to have wing slots as in 109.
Could that refer to the twin wasp-engined fokkers with the extended canopy?Mention is also made of a Finnish reconnaissance version that had "transparent panels extending almost to the tail plane."
30 km/h more is not a good trade when you get 300 kg more weight on the wheels and the wing. The Air Force HQ knew 30 km/h wasn't enough, the change would take too much time, was too expensive and the 415-420 km/h was good enough for the Recco Squadrons (LeR 1) in 1941-1942.
Martti
Don't worry about necroposting, the thread hasn't been that oldI haven't heard of 109's having slots in their wings. You might have mixed them with wings slats, which they did have. These were in the leading edge of the wing and popped up to increase lift in while manouvering or flying slower.
The idea of the slots was the same however, but simpler. Holes going through the wing.
Could that refer to the twin wasp-engined fokkers with the extended canopy?
The second picture posted earlier is of a wasp-fokker, but the canopy doesn't show very well. Here's a photo from the side: Wasp-fokker
Oh btw, it's my first post here, hello everyone!
I registered a while ago but didn't participate until now.
And sorry if this is considered necroposting.