Fokker M.7

The Fokker M.7 was a small, single‑engine biplane developed by the Dutch firm Fokker during the First World War for the Austro‑Hungarian Navy. First flown in 1915, it derived from the earlier Fokker M.5 fighter but was fitted with twin pontoons, turning the design into a dedicated floatplane suitable for maritime patrol and reconnaissance over the Adriatic Sea. Powered by a 80 hp Oberursel rotary engine, the M.7 could reach speeds of about 115 km/h (71 mph) and carried a modest payload of a single observer equipped with a machine gun and a small camera for aerial photography. Its wooden frame, fabric covering, and simple construction made it quick to assemble and repair in forward bases. Although modest in performance, the aircraft proved reliable in the low‑altitude, low‑speed roles required for spotting enemy vessels and directing naval gunfire. The M.7’s operational record helped demonstrate the tactical value of seaplanes in naval warfare, influencing later German and Austro‑Hungarian designs such as the Friedrichshafen FF series. As one of the earliest successful floatplanes, the Fokker M.7 contributed to the broader acceptance of aircraft as integral components of maritime strategy.