Fokker D. XXI

The very first prototype have two have old type of camouflage of olive green and medium blue while the horizontal tail was in silver color. You can note also various external details like the absence of the gun sight, aerial must as well two bale propeller.

In the early 1930’s, it became obvious that the Netherlands would need a new type of a fighter to replace the previous designs. The leading designer of the new plane was Ir. Schatzki.

They decided to construct a welded steel frame structure with light alloy covering panels on the front fuselage and fabric covering on the rear fuselage; a construction that; used with great success by Fokker since WW1. The wings of the new fighter were made of wood. It is interesting to note that the main craftsman Reinhold Platz suggested to Antony Fokker that the company should use a new monocoque construction for future designs but Antony refused it and Reinhold Platz left the company. The design of the new fighter was submitted to the Netherlands Army Air Division on November 14, 1934. The airplane has the enclosed cockpit and fixed landing gear and the powerplant which was originally selected was the Rolls- Royce Kestrel IV engine. The armament could include either machine guns or cannons, both wing and fuselage mounted.

Prince Bernard during the visit to the Fokker D. XXI prototype, seen here siting in the cockpit.

The initial proposal was changed in the meantime and by early 1935 Luchtvaartafdeling or LVA signed a contract with Fokker for building and testing one prototype. This machine was powered by a radial air-cooled Bristol Mercury engine rated at 645 hp. The new machine, with fuselage code FD-322, had its maiden flight on 27 March 1936 at Welschap airfield (close to Eindhoven) and the test pilot, Emil Meinecke, was at controls. During this first testing, it was fitted with a two-bladed propeller. In November of the same year, the Fokker D.XXI prototype was moved to Soesteberg for the comparative military testing fitted with a three-bladed prop. It is interesting to note that the designer of the Fokker D XXI, Ir. Erich Schatzki, had meanwhile moved to another company Koolhoven and there he also designed a fighter, the FK-58, with retractable landing gear and more promising performance than the fixed-gear D.XXI.

Very first series build Fokker D. XXI was this no. 212, on Soesteberg airfield. Airplane feature very nice camouflage pattern as well early method of the national insignia used on the type.

In 1937, the Netherlands Goverment decided to raise funds for the manufacture of the first 36 machines to be equiped with a Bristol Mercury engine. The first operational machine was no. 212 and it first flew on Thursday, 26 May 1938. During the next Whit Sunday, on 5 June 1938, it was shown to the public during an airshow at Eelde airport. This very first machine to be produced was delivered to the Soesterberg. The last machine no. 248 from this first order was delivered on 8 September 1939, when WW2 was already escalating.

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During the early test of the Foker D.XXI, a great interest was shown by Finnish officials and they commissioned seven machines, coded FR-76 to FR- 82 as pattern machines for local production. The Finnish authorities had already opted for license manufacturing of the D.XXII by Valtion Lentokonetehdas at Tampere. Denmark also showed interest in the type and purchased two pattern machines from Fokker (J-41 and J-42) and also obtained license rights for local production at the aircraft factory in Copenhagen. In total, ten Danish D.XXI’s were manufactured, carrying the registration numbers J-41 through and including J-52. They played no role at all during the German invasion of Denmark and their final fate remains unknown (although a number was most likely captured by the Germans). An unconfirmed source states that they ended their life as target airplanes but this still has to be investigated.

The Spanish Government also considered this type and one was sent from Holland through the French SFTA company with Bristol Mercury engine as a pattern plane. This pattern plane from Holland was not fitted with any armament. Fokker did not take any photo shots at Schiphol since delivery was more or less illegal. It is even unknown in which colors and markings this D.XXI was flown over or transported to SFTA in France. There were plans for D.XXI license production of 50 planes at SAF-15 plant at Santa Faz monastery near Alicante. The plant was overrun by Nationalist troops before any plane was completed and it is said parts were used on other types. The D.XXI wheel spats seem to have been used on the post-war Hispano-Suiza HS-42 trainer.

Pre war postcard show standard combat formation of the Fokker T. V bomber, escorted with Fokker D. XXI fighters. This is proven good in the later war.

First blood

Except for the seven pattern machines, Valtion licence-manufactured in total 89 D.XXIs carrying serial numbers FR-83 through and including FR-175. FR-83 made its first flight on 3 November 1938, while the last machine, FR-175, first flew on 28 November 1944. Valtion manufactured the following numbers:

Series II (1st licence production!): FR-83 to FR-96 (14 planes)
Series III: FR-97 to FR-117 (19 planes)
Series IV: FR-118 to FR-167 (51 planes)
Series IV: FR-171 toFR-175 (5 planes)

This blured image of the Fokker D. XXI no. 227 is very important as well it display one method of the national markings, used very short and it have orange triangle painted over the original Dutch roundel. Note that tail flag was painted over with camouflage brown color.

In the Finnish service, this plane was nicknamed ‘Ukkomokker’ and they were the first Fokker D.XXIs to be involved in air combat. On 30 November 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland. In the operational service of the the Finland air force there were forty five machines on strength and all of them were deployed by HLeLv. 24. First air claim was scored on 1 December 1939, when the lutanti (leutenant) Eino Luukkanen shot down one SB-2 bomber while flying on Fokker D.XXI with registration number FR-104. The interesting thing is that on that day the first Fokker D.XXI was downed as a result of friendly fire and the victim was kersanti (sergeant) Kukkonen who was hit near Viipuri by anti aircraft gunners. In general, the Fokkers had low level of losses and most of them were lost for reasons other than the enemy fire. This was reason enough for Finland to decide to produce more Fokker D.XXIs. Since the original Mercury engines were decided to be used on Blenheim bombers, a new engine was adopted for the D.XXI, so new series was fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R- 1535 Twin Wasp engine, rated at 1050 hp. These engines were obtained from Sweden. The adoption of this engine required some constructive changes in the front fuselage, as well as on the horizontal surfaces. The cockpit canopy also got more transparent area to give the pilot in this version a better all round view.

Pair of the D. XXI on Soesteberg air base. Airplanes have later type of markings and interesting is use of the dark brown on the bottom surfaces.

After the Winter War, all Fokker D.XXIs were transferred to the new HLeLv. 32, HLeLv. 30, TLeLv. 12 and TLeLv. 30 units. These airplanes had various modifications and one of the most important was the conversion to use skis during the winter. Furthermore, two D.XXIs (FR-117 and FR167) were modified to have a retractable landing gear. Since this offered no substantial performance increase, this idea was not followed in case of other D.XXIs and these two particular planes were later converted again with a fixed landing gear. A few D.XXI’s were converted to serve in the reconnaissance role.

Home defenders

At the moment the German attacked the Netherlands, they had 28 operational Fokker D. XXI deployed in 1 JAVA on De Kooy airfield (near Den Helder), 2nd JAVA on the Schiphol (near Amsterdam) and the 1st Division Fighter Group Field Army on the Ypenburg Airpark (near Rotterdam). The first air claim was made by aircraft no. 244, which shot down a Junkers Ju 88 near Noordwijkerhout.

Unknown pilot in the unknown machine Fokker D. XXI. It is only known that image is taken at the Soesteberg airfield. Close up show interesting shape of the pito tube as well mounting of the reflector and gun in the wing leading edge.

Brief operations of the Dutch fighters are as follows…….

No. 223 engaged in combat against He 111
No. 213 shot down by He-111
No. 244 engaged in combat against Junkers Ju 88
No. 241 was hit and set on fire during take off
No. 219 shot down one Bf 109
No. 234 shot down one Bf 109
No. 242 shot down Bf 109
No. 221; damaged one Bf 109
No. 218 damaged one Bf 109
No. 234 damaged one Bf 109
No. 214 shot down in combat
No. 233 shot down in combat
No. 234 destroyed on ground
No. 245 landed almost undamaged in a meadow field at Zwaagdijk
No. 225 shot down a Junkers Ju 88
No. 224 engaged in combat against Heinkel He 111 bombers
No. 229 engaged in combat against Heinkel He 111 bombers and downed two Bf 110 before it was shot down by 3rd Bf 110. The pilot (sgt. Roos) survived, although wounded.
No. 238 was shot down
No. 236 hit on ground Junkers Ju 52 and Bf 109
No. 239 was damaged beyond repair
No. 216 was shot down and landed itself upside down. Pilot was injured but managed to escape from the wreck (sgt. Kiel)

War reality- destroyed Fokker D. XXI at the Shiphol airfield, during the short war against Germany.

Fokker D. XXI’s also made several bomber escort missions. On May 1, three D.XXI’s escorted two Fokker C-V biplanes to Ede / Arnhem. Other D-XXI’s aircraft escorted Fokker T-V bombers during an attack on the bridge over the river Maas (“Maasbrug”). All machines returned home safely. Another three D-XXI’s were escorting two C-V biplanes in a repeated attack in the Ede / Arnhem area and, also, all the planes here returned home after their mission.

Denmark have limited number of this fighter and there is no known any succes in the combat use. J-41 on this image show very interesting two blade propeller as well small blisters on the engine cowling. All plane is the natural metal delivery.

After failing of the first mission of bombing of the Maasbrug the T-V bombers were engaged in a new attack escorted by three Fokker D.XXI’s. They were attacked by Bf 110’s and plane no.242 escaped from combat and landed at Buiksloot near Amsterdam. In very interesting circumstances no.229 downed two Bf 110, but was shot down by a third Bf 110. The wreck was recovered in the nineties from the clay and is now on exhibit in Museum ‘Crash’ at Aalsmeerdijk near Schiphol airport. In the same fight no.213 had to fight against six Bf 110 and keep them away from the very vulnerable T-V bombers. One of the enemy planes was shot down, with another probably. Pilot of no. 213 (lt. Focquin de Grave) was seriously injured and landed on the road between Den Haag and Utrecht. On 12 May three D.XXI’s escorted two C-V biplanes to Arnhem. On the way to Arnhem they were being shot at by friendly forces. Only no.218 survived his mission but crashed on landing (sgt. Steensma).

Finland's FR-76 sample, show some basic external differences such as reflector mounted in the starboard wing leading edge as well blisters over the engine cowling. — Finland’s FR-76 sample, show some basic external differences such as reflector mounted in the starboard wing leading edge as well blisters over the engine cowling.

Also D.XXI no.216 got itself into trouble. It was shot down by German fighters and went down with the wounded pilot unconscious in the plane. The D.XXI miraculously landed itself and ended upside down in a grass field in the middle of a fierce battle between Ducth soldiers and German paratroopers. Although seriously wounded, the pilot (sgt. Guus Kiel) managed to escape from his plane. He was picked up by Dutch soldiers and almost executed as a spy/provocateur because he grew up in Germany during his childhood and spoke Dutch with a strong German accent!

Fokker FR- 140 runing its engine. Note yellow cowling, which is used as the war marings. In the same color are number 11 on the vertical rudder. Note radio wires conected wo the wing tips. (credit- Olli Riekki and Risto Hiltunen)

Simply the best

The top ace was First Lieutenant Jorma Sarvanto of Lentolaivue 24. His score with the D.XXI was 12 and two shared confirmed plus 3 damaged. All these in eight weeks by 21 February 1940. His most spectacular day was 6 January, when piloting FR-97 (in the photo taken just after this mission) he downed in just four minutes six Ilyushin DB-3 bombers of 6 DBAP. All wrecks were found south of Utti air base on a distance of 45 kilometres. The list of his air claims while flying on Fokker D. XXI are as follow:

1; Dec 23, 1939; Noskuanselkä FR-97 (SB bomber, 44.SBAP)
2          Dec 23, 1939 Noisniemi                  FR-97 (SB, 44.SBAP)
3          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
4          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
5          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
6          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
7          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
8          Jan 6, 1940     Utti-Tavastila             FR-97 (DB-3 bomber, 6.DBAP)
9          Jan 17, 1940   Heinjoki                     FR-99 (SB bomber, 54.SBAP)
10        Feb 3, 1940     Nuijamaa                    FR-80 (DB-3 bomber, 42.DBAP)
11        Feb 15, 1940   Vyborg                       FR-80 (DB-3 bomber, 42.DBAP)
12        Feb 18, 1940   Simola                        FR-100 (DB-3 bomber, 1.AP KPF)
13        Feb 19, 1940   Vyborg                       FR-100 (DB-3 bomber, 21.DBAP)

Very interesting close up show front details of the WAP powered machine and note that propeller blade is made of wood. Detail of interest is the small logo on the blade, white disc with blue swastika (credit- State Aircraft Factory)

Camouflage and markings

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Dutch airplanes are painted Camouflagebruin on all surfaces, upper surfaces patches in Camouflagebeige and Camouflagegroen. Some info indicate that this colors are of German origin. Roundels or triangles in six position. Roundels diameter are 50 cm on fuselage and 80 cm on wings. The order from the December 1938 state that rudder flag have to be removed and overapainted with camouflage brown. From 1940 triangles are replaced roundels and they was 85 cm wide on fuselage and 175 cm on wings. They was in orange color with black 10 cm wide border. Vertical rudder was also in plain orange color with 10 cm black trim. On the vertical tail was Fokker logo, type name as well engine name. Under the horizontal tail, on fuselage, was placed text with the aircraft data. Foot step was outlined in black.

FR- 143 side view, this sample bellong to the WASP powered series of fighters. All of this series were camouglaged in the later type of camouflage. It is interesting to say that there was cases that vertical tail was used on the previous version of the Fokker D. XXI and this give very ineresting variation. (credit- Finnish Air Force photo)

Finland camouflage pattern in the very start was very simple and whole airplane was painted in Dutch colors (first batch) Olive Green at the top surface and Grey at the bottom. In the later service camouflage become Vihrean Olivin and Musta (black) on the top, with the Vaalean Sininen (Light Blue) at the bottom. During the winters on airplanes was painted white patches.

Regular adoptation of the many of teh Finlands airplane was mounting of the snow skis, which make airplane capable for operation during the very cold winters.

The national insignia and serials (when painted in Finland) were strictly according to the Finnish Standards SFS Z.I.1 specifications. Please find them enclosed. Standard fuselage national insignia had a diameter of 72 cm, which was arrived at from the 10 cm swastika arm width. This came up to 50 cm size swastika and since the serial was half of this, the serial height was 25 cm. In general swastika was blue on white disc but there is exception of the use over RLM 65 blue disc or even just swastika on fuselage. After the armistice, this insignia was replaced by white- blue- white roundel which is still in use.

Hero of the day- Jouni Sarvanto photogrped just after the landing from his mission where he has downed six Soviet bomber. His airplane is shown in one of the color profiles.(credit- Kari Stenman)

No specific service labels are used. foot steps was outlined in black, on the starboard side, under the fuselage was white circle with red cross on it. On the samples with snow skis was painted on the top of skis inscriptions Ala Astu ( No Step).

Rare image of the captured Fokker D. XXI in the German markings. It retained original camouflage but now with the German insignia.

Danish airplanes was simple as well most known samples are left in natural metal while some known types was camouflaged with Earth Brown and the Dark Green on top surface (precise info of used paints not available). Bottom is still not confirmed with precision as well some sources state that there was Light Grey color while some state Light Blue. National insignia was Red- White roundel in six positions.

Srećko Bradić

All images credit Nico Braas except in case where is otherwise stated.