Fokker

Fokker V.33

The Fokker V.33 was an experimental German‑built fighter prototype that emerged from the Dutch company Fokker’s wartime design bureau in early 1918. Developed as a continuation of the successful V.22 and V.24 series, the V.33 was intended to combine the high‑speed, streamlined fuselage of the V.22 with the more powerful 220 hp (164 kW) Mercedes D.IVa inline engine. Its single‑bay, single‑seat biplane layout featured equal‑span, slightly staggered wings covered in fabric over wood ribs, and an all‑metal, semi‑monocoque fuselage that reduced drag. The aircraft was equipped with twin synchronized LMG 08/15 machine guns mounted on the forward fuselage, providing a reliable forward‑firing armament. Although flight testing demonstrated respectable performance—reaching a top speed of roughly 210 km/h (130 mph) and a service ceiling near 6,500 meters—the V.33 did not enter production, as the war ended before mass‑manufacture could commence. Its design concepts, especially the use of a semi‑monocoque structure and a more powerful engine, directly influenced later Fokker fighters such as the D.VII and the post‑war D.VIII, marking the V.33 as a transitional step that helped shape modern aeronautical engineering and legacy.

Classification

Dimensions

Wing Area
13.7 square metre
Length
5.456 metre
Height
2.385 metre
Mass
560 kilogram

Performance

Maximum Speed
200 kilometre per hour

Production & History

First Flight
1918

Design & Classification

Primary Use
Manufacturer
Fokker
Engine
Oberursel Ur.II
Wikidata ID
Q125498830