The Fokker D.IV was a German fighter biplane of World War I, a development of the D.I.[2][3]
Development
The Fokker D.IV had a more powerful Mercedes D.III engine, and was the first Fokker front-line design to use ailerons in place of wing warping from the start for roll control.[4]
Operational history
The aircraft was purchased in small numbers (40) by the German Army but it is thought that only 1 aircraft flown by Hans von Keudell of Jasta 1 saw any service on the Western Front all others being relegated to a training role or home defense duties. This was because of a general ban placed on the front-line use of Fokker aircraft on 6 December 1916 due to poor workmanship and a lack of quality control at the factory.
The Swedish Air Force also bought four examples of the type powered by 150 h.p. Benz Bz.III engines.,[1][5] but only 1 was assembled and armed, the remaining 3 being stored in a dismantled state.
Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Greenwich Editions, 1994. ISBN0-8317-3939-8.
Lamberton, W. M. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, Herts, UK: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN0-517-69186-8.
Wagner, Ray and Heinz Nowarra. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
World Aircraft Information Files: File 894 Sheet 40–41. London: Bright Star Publishing, 1989.