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Fokker D II biplane at Adlerhof trials
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Fokker D II biplane at Adlerhof trials
German Fokker D II biplane at Adlerhof trials. It went into operation in early spring 1916, but was found to lack agility. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14222447
© Hugh W. Cowin Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Biplane Biplanes Cold Fokker Frost Frosty Testing Trials
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Fokker D II biplane undergoing rigorous testing at the Adlerhof trials in the winter of 1916. The First World War was in full swing, and the race for air superiority was at its peak. The Fokker D II, a biplane designed by the renowned Dutch aviation pioneer Anthony Fokker, was one of the latest additions to the German Imperial Air Service's arsenal. The Fokker D II made its operational debut in early spring 1916, but it soon became apparent that the aircraft lacked the agility required to outmaneuver its Allied counterparts. In response, the German military ordered extensive testing to address the issue. The Adlerhof trials, located in the heart of Germany, provided the perfect conditions to evaluate the aircraft's performance in cold weather. The photograph shows the Fokker D II biplane standing proudly on the frosty ground, its wings and tail fin coated in a layer of ice. The pilots and ground crew, bundled up against the winter chill, work diligently to prepare the aircraft for its next sortie. The wintery landscape, with its barren trees and frozen ground, adds a sense of isolation and determination to the scene. The Fokker D II biplane would undergo numerous modifications during the trials, with improvements made to its wing design, engine, and control surfaces. Despite these efforts, the aircraft ultimately failed to live up to the expectations of the German military. However, the lessons learned during the Adlerhof trials would prove invaluable in the development of future German aircraft designs. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of air superiority during the First World War and the sacrifices made in the name of progress.
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