Fokker
Fokker F.III
The Fokker F.III was a single‑engine, high‑wing monoplane developed by the Dutch manufacturer Fokker in the early 1920s. Derived from the successful F.II, the aircraft first flew in 1921 and quickly entered service with both civil and military operators. Its wooden construction featured a box‑type fuselage of plywood, a cantilever wing with a modest 12‑meter span, and a fixed tailskid undercarriage. Powered by a 150 hp (112 kW) Rolls‑Royce Eagle or later a 200 hp (149 kW) Mercedes D.II engine, the F.III could carry two passengers or a pilot and a light cargo load, attaining a cruising speed of about 160 km/h and a range of roughly 600 km. The type proved particularly valuable for fledgling airlines such as KLM, Deutsche Luft Hansa and the British Air Ministry, who used it on short‑haul routes and for pilot training. Its straightforward design, reliable handling and low operating costs set a standard for interwar transport aircraft. The F.III’s success helped cement Fokker’s reputation for practical, economical monoplanes and paved the way for later iconic models such as the F.IV and the celebrated F.27.
