Fokker V.8

The Fokker V.8 was an experimental German‑built fighter‑prototype conceived in 1918 by the Dutch aeronautical firm Fokker under the direction of Reinhold Platz. Developed as a response to the emerging need for a high‑speed, heavily armed interceptor, the V.8 combined a compact, cantilever monoplane wing with a wooden fuselage covered in plywood and fabric. It was powered by a 160 hp Oberursel rotary engine, driving a two‑blade propeller, and featured a unique staggered wing configuration that sought to reduce drag while maintaining structural rigidity. Armament consisted of two synchronized LMG 08/15 machine guns mounted on the fuselage, a standard for frontline aircraft of the era. Although the V.8 demonstrated impressive climb rates and maneuverability in limited test flights, its development was halted by the armistice and the rapid shift toward newer radial and inline powerplants. The aircraft never entered production, but its innovative wing design and lightweight construction influenced subsequent Fokker models such as the D.VIII and later cantilever monoplanes. As a transitional design, the V.8 represents a pivotal moment in World War I aviation, illustrating the push for aerodynamic efficiency and the evolution of fighter concepts that would shape interwar aircraft development.

Fokker

Classification

Dimensions

Production & History

Design & Classification