Koolhoven F.K.55
| F.K.55 | |
|---|---|
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| Role | FighterTemplate:Short description |
| National origin | Netherlands |
| Manufacturer | N.V. Koolhoven Vliegtuigen |
| First flight | 20 June 1938 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Koolhoven F.K.55 was a Dutch fighter prototype of the 1930s, which did not progress beyond the prototype stage.
Development
Design of a Koolhoven high-performance aircraft first started late in 1937. The result, finished in early 1938 was the F.K.55, a single-seat fighter of radical design with contra-rotating propellers and an engine housed behind the pilot. It had initially been proposed to do away with ailerons on the wings, and replace them with "slot-spoilers" for lateral control, however this idea was abandoned early in the project.[1]
Of mixed metal and wood construction with wooden wings, the F.K.55's front fuselage was made of steel tube while wood formed the tail and rear fuselage. Its Script error: No such module "convert". Lorraine Pétrel engine afforded only just enough power to take off and to stay in flight. The production version would have used the more powerful Script error: No such module "convert". Lorraine 12R Sterna engine but this never happened.[1]
Operational history
The aircraft flew for the first time on 30 June 1938. It flew for two minutes then landed. Underpowered, the FK.55 was cancelled in the same year.[1]
Specifications
References
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- https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6125/5981226518_92bc933a1e_b.jpg Shows 20 mm madsen cannon in hub.
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