Fokker
Fokker E.IV
The Fokker E.IV was a German‑built fighter aircraft produced in 1915 by the Dutch company Fokker during World War I. Developed as an evolution of the earlier E.I‑E.III monoplane series, the E.IV featured a larger wingspan of 10.5 m and a more powerful 100‑hp Oberursel U.I rotary engine, which gave it a top speed of roughly 140 km/h and a climb rate superior to its predecessors. Its most distinctive characteristic was the armament: unlike the single‑machine‑gun layout of earlier E‑type aircraft, the E.IV carried two synchronized 7.92 mm LMG 08/15 Spandau guns, allowing pilots to deliver a heavier and more accurate burst of fire. The aircraft retained the iconic cantilever wing and welded‑steel tube fuselage that defined the Fokker E series, while incorporating a slightly enlarged tailplane for better stability. Though only a handful of E.IVs entered service, they marked a pivotal step toward the concept of a twin‑gunned fighter, influencing later German designs such as the Albatros D.I and the famous Fokker Dr.I triplane. The E.IV’s contribution lies in demonstrating the tactical advantage of increased firepower, a principle that became a cornerstone of fighter development throughout the 20th century.
