K&W Model Airplanes Fokker E-III User manual

Fokker E-III
German 1915 fighter
Assembly Manual
for ARF stand-off scale model
in 1:5 scale.
Historical data and presentation.
Model design and construction drawing by
Göran Kalderén ©

K & W Model Airplanes Inc.
Fokker E-III
FokkerE-IIIisoneofthemosthistorically
significantGermancombataircraftofWorldWar
I. The E-III, sometimes referred to as the
"Eindecker" ('one wing'), deserves a significant
placeinaviationhistory not necessarily because
ofits aerial prowess, but because it was the first
combat aircraft in the world to be equipped with
aforward-firing,fixedmachinegunsynchronized
to fire between the propeller blades.
TheE.IIIwasthethirdandmostimportant
permutation of the original monoplane Fokker
family.Being asmall butimportant stepforward
in the evolution of the fighter, it is important to
note this aircraft used wing warping for roll
control,rather than the "more advanced" aileron
flight control system.
Theonlysurvivingaircraft is displayed in
Science Museum in London. There are a
number of replicas of which we show pictures
of some.
The Champlin Collection's Fokker E-III
replica aircraft was built during 1981. It is
extremely accurate in virtually every detail. It is
equippedwithanauthentic World War I-vintage
Oberursel rotary engine and an authentic
Spandau machine gun offset to the starboard
side of the forward engine cowling.
K&W Fokker EII

Fokker E-III ARF 3

K & W Model Airplanes Inc.
Specification
Manufacturer: Fokker Flugzeugbau
Model: E.III
Year: 1915
Wingspan: 30' 10.5" (9.41m)
Length: 23' 11.25" (7.3 m)
Height: 9' 1.75" (2.79 m)
Wing Area: 172.8 square feet
Engine: Oberursel UI 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary, 100 hp
Empty Weight: 878 pounds
Weight (Gross): 1,342 lbs. (610 kg)
Speed: 87.5 mph (140 km/h) at sea level
Ceiling: 11,483 ft. (3,500 m)
Max. Range: 1.5 hours
Armament: 1 fixed 7.92mm Spandau machine gun
Crew: 1

Fokker E-III ARF 5
Flying wires
Lower wing warping wires
Upper wing warping wires
Lower wing warping wires
Landingwires
The rigging wires for the wings
Fokker E III
German fighter from the early part of
World War I. Entering service in spring 1915, it
was a development of the french Morane Saul-
niertype H.
The engine was an Oberursel 90 hp.,
licence built in Steyer Germany and based on
thefrench LeRhone rotary engine.
By all accounts it was not a difficult ma-
chinetofly, it wasmodestly aerobatic and hada
top speed of around 80 m.p.h. Wing warping
was used in preference to ailerons and the air-
frame design was light and economicaily de-
signed. Without the single forward firing ma-
chinegunitwouldprobably have been regarded
asjustan average fighting machinebut,withthe
advantage of one of the the first to use this de-
vice it became a deadiy killer in the hands of a
skilful pilot.
The Model
We have chosen the scale of 1:5 rende-
ring a model size that i easy to fly but also
relativelyeasyto transport. Both wingpanelscan
be removed for transportation which gives very
limitedrequirementfor transportation size. With
a .60 2-stroke engine the airplane is capable of
all the manouvers in the book but still as docile
as you can demand from an early fighter. The
moment arms are short and the rudders
senstive so fly, if you can, with a dual rate
transmitter.
Thefinishedmodelispainted in 1914 livery
and further detailing can be made as per
documentation.
Specs: Wingspan 180 cm
Length 138 cm
Weight 3,9 kgs
Engine 10 cc 2-stroke
You have received this model ARF, that means
all the pleasant work is left to be done by you.
Covering and finish
The model is covered with Solartex
Antiqueandpaintedwhereapplicablewithblack
enamel. You may desire to add patina and give
the entire model a coat of varnish to render the
proper finish. The original aeroplane was
covered with cotton fabric and coated several
times with dope. This gave a translucent, very
glossy finish.
Theinsignia (crosses on the wing upper
andundersides) are painted withenamel.Same
paintis usedon thefuselage andrudder.
Theblack striping along the fuselage on
some models is a 12 mm black cotton ribbon,
glued to the fabric. This ribbon covers the
stiching of the fabric to the fuselage. Se further
on page 5 for more finishing details.
Scale propeller
There is a scale propeller provided for static
display(Notforflying)
Radio installation
The upper tray is intended for the recei-
ver, the battery and the switch. Make compart-
ments on the tray to suit your equipment. The
lower tray is the servo tray, located side by side
withthe fuel tank. Push-rods are attached tothe
servo arms with quick-links and to the throttle,
the joy stick and the rudder bar with ball links to
allow maximum freedom of movement. When
installed,lock the trays with small screws in the
rails. Make sure to run the arial away from or
paralell with the wires! You can let it hang out
from below and hook it to the tail skid
Startwith installing the servos. The wing
warpingservo goesintothebracketsinthelower

K & W Model Airplanes Inc.
partofthe fuselage.Wiresareledfrom theservo
arm straight down to the arms of the wing
warping actuator. Stretch the wires and lock.
Theremaining servos are installed in the
servo tray and note that the tray is inverted!
Nextistheservofor the throttle. Connect
the wire arm to the servo and through the fire
walltothearmonthetrottlewithaballlink.Make
sure that is working freely.
Elevator servo is connected to the joy
stick, also with a ball link on the joy stick.
Rudder servo is connected in the same
fashion to the rudder bar.
Theupper tray contains the receiver and
the battery pack. The switch can be mounted
onthedash board orehidden under the cowlon
the upper tray and actuated by a push-rod
protrudingintothecockpit.
Installation of engine.
The engine mounts have been installed in
a unusual fashion for several reasons.
Theneedfor adequate cooling. Theaccess
totheglowplugwithouthoeinthecowlandfinally
togetthe carburator in linewith the center ofthe
tank.1.Removethe engine mountsanddrill and
taptheholesfor the engine. Placetheengineas
close to the fire wall as possible. If you have to
relocate the engine mounts, you can do so and
theblind nuts are not securedwith glue. Should
you desire to install a 4-stroke engine you may
have to make an opening in the firewall for the
carburator and a small "box" so that no fuel
spreadsintothe fuselage. On thefullsizeplane,
the carburator is located between the two air
intake tubes!
2. Drill the holes from the tank to the
carburator, preassure tap and the filling cap.
3.Installtheengineandconnectthethrottle
servo.
4. Make cut outs in the dummy engine so
that this will fit in front of your engine. You may
haveto remove 1 complete cylinder to allow for
the cooling air to pass the engine head. This
"surgery" isexecuted by removing a little at the
timeand checking. Whenyou are satisfied with
the fit and openings, screw the dummy engine
ontothe engine mounts using 3 mm screwsand
washers.
5. Reinstall the engine cowl using 3 #2
sheet metal screws.
Installation of servos, tank, battery and
receiver.
The aileron servo is installed in the lower
partof the fuselage
The trottle servo and the rudder servo
are installed in the servo tray. The tank is
positioned at the side of these servos.
The elevator servo is is installed inverted
inthe tray.
Battry pack and receiver are positioned
intheuppertray.
The switch ismounted on the dash board.
1. Attach a ball link head to joystick and
rudder bar in the appropriate holes. You may
havetoenlargethe holes to takethescrewfrom
the ball link (Dubro #189 set of 2).
2.Installtheservosfor rudder and elevator
and temporarily connect the servo arms to the
ball links. Deflection for elevator is 20° up and
downand for rudder30° right and left..
3. Install and connect the throttle servo in
thefashionyouprefer.
4. Install the tank in the available space in
front of the rudder and throttle servos..
5.Installtheaileronservoin the lower wing
usingservo tape. The servo arm attaches tothe
Kwick-link allready installed on the aileron
connectionrod. Deflectionshouldbe20° upand
down.
6. Fasten the upper servo tray and make
the final connections.
7.Installtheradioswitchonthedashboard.
8. Place the receiver and the battery pack
in the upper tray, wrapped in foam rubber and
secure with rubber bands.
Assembly of the Fokker E III
All parts have been assembled at the
factoryand onlydisassembledfortransportation.
Rudder and elevator wires are factory
adjusted but may need some tensioning
adjustmentafter a while.
1. Fasten the elevator to the fuselage with
4screwssupplied. Slide the upperelevatorwires
through the holes in the fuselage and attach to
theupper elevator horns.
2. Install the rudder assy by inserting the
music wire the hole in the rudder and secure
with a stopper screw in the tail skid assy.
3. Attach the lower elevator wires and the
rudder wires. The upper set of wires are for the
rudder.Check theaction ofelevator andrudder.
The elevator is actuated with the joy-stick and
the rudder with the rudder bar.

Fokker E-III ARF 7
2mm threaded bar w. hole 2 mm nut kwick-
link
Brass tube/sleeve
Turnbuckle
Rigging wire
4. Push the wing halves into the holes in
the fuselage.
5. Attach the upper wing wires by insering
thescrewsin the upper pylonanssecuring them
withthe 2 mmnuts. Install thelower (flying) wires
and secure the kwick-links.
6 Install the upper wing warping wires and
makesurethat they ryn freelythroughthepulley.
Now attach the lower wing warping wires and
make sure that they make half a loop on the
pulley.Checkthewingwarping with the warping
actuator.
7.Installthe wheels on theshaftandsecure
with the stoppers.
Balancing
The center of gravity / balancing point
should be approx. 4" = 10 cm from the leading
edge of the wing. Make adjustments if
necessary.
Flying It is advisable to fit an engine that does
not protrude to far forward or some alterations
have to be made in the fire wall.
Let the engine swing a 14x4 propeller if
possible.Thisgives better thrustoutsidethe big
cowling and reduces sound to a more realistic
level. Flying characteristics are very forgiving
but the aerobatic manoeuvers limited. Set the
elevatorat zero angle or at the sameangl as the
wing, for the first flight but be prepared to give
down elevator if the model climbs out too steep.
This model should fly of the ground and not be
pulledby the propeller.
Groundhandling,taxiing,onhardsurface
isdifficultinanythingbut calm weather, because
the model will weather-vane into the wind.
Take-off should be done straight into the
windand thetake-offrunisrelativelyshort.Make
corrections with elevator and rudder. The wing-
warping during take-off is slow and not so
effective but in flight responsive enough. Turns
shouldbe executedusingbothwing-warpingand
rudder.Usegentlehandlingduringapproachand
make the landing straight into the wind. On the
ground, taxing, unless very calm weather,
shouldonly be attemptedwith assistance at the
wing tips (as per prototype). Note that the gli-
ding ratio with the engine throttled back, is very
steep. Aeroplanes from this period usually had
avery steep approach for landing.

K & W Model Airplanes Inc.
Servo installation
Thesketches below showa typical servoinstallation.
Thepushrods fromthe servos connectto thejoy stick
andthe rudder barwith a kwick-linkas shown or,with
aball linkwhichgives asomewhat smotheractuation.
Note that the servos are inverted in the tray and that
thepushrodscomeoutunder theservo tray.Theposi-
tionofthe tank,receiverand accuareoptionalandto
the builders discression. The radio switch is
conveniently mounted on the instrument panel
Number1servoisthe elevatorservo,tobeconnected
with the joy-stick.
Number2 servo is therudder servo, tobe
connected with the rudder bar.
Number3 servo is the trhrottle servoto be
connectedforward through the firewall
withthe carburator/throttle arm.
Wingwarping set up and wing warping servo in-
stallation
Thewing warpingservo isinstalled inthe verticaltray
abovethe lower pylon. Wiresare connected fromthe
servoarmtothe armoftheactuator withthe2pulleys.
Neutralservo should render horisontal actuatorarm.
Wires to the
servoarm
The lower wing warping wires are looped half a turn
around the pulley befor being led to the attachment
points in the wing under side. There are two sets of
wires which both are treated the same way. When
there are 2 pulleys, the forward pulley is used for the
shorterwirepair.
Wingwarpingwires Wingwarpingwires
Actuator arm
Wingwarping
lowerpulley

Fokker E-III ARF 9
Landing gear suspension, bunge rubber instal-
lationThe rubberband is laced as illustrated so that
the wheel shaft is tight against the lower part of the
shaft support. The more you stretch the rubber the
harder the spring action will be.
Tail skid bunge rubber installation
The rubberband is attached at the 2 screws as
illustrated. The more you stretch the rubber the har-
der the spring action will be.
Rigging of upper pylon and lower wingwarping
wires
The upper landing wires are attached to the pylon in
the sequence illustrated (1-4). Start with the outer
wires and make sure that the wing is parrallel and
perpendicular to the pylon.
The upper wing warping wires are through the pulley
in the upper pylon as illustrated. Start with the outer
wires and make sure that the wing is given approx. 1
inch washout (dihedral at the trailing edge) at the
wingtips. Make sure that the wires run freely in the
pulley.
4.Inner
right landing
wire
2.Outer right landing wire
1.Outer left landing wire
Outerleftwing
warpingwire
Inner left wing
warping wire Outer right wing
warping wire
Inner right
wing warping wire
3.Inner left landing wire

K & W Model Airplanes Inc.
K&W
Model
Airplanes Inc.
What is in the box:
The ARF kit contains the parts shown in the
picture. All the parts are covered and painted.
All the rigging wires are supplied in the correct
lengths and need only to be clipped to their
positions.
1
2
3
4
10
11
8
9
7
1.Fuselagewithwing-warpingpylon
2. Landing gear
3. Scalewheels
4. Engine cowl
5. Dummyengine withmount (notshown)
6. Scale propeller
7. Tail skid assy.
5
6
Albatros C-I
Pfalz E-I Fokker D-V
P.O.Box 1229, Cebu City Centrl. Postoffice
Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Visiting address:
3343 Gun-Ob, Kinalumsan,
Lapu-Lapu City 6015, PHILIPPINES
Phone [phone], Cellular [phone]
Telefax [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kwmairpl.com.ph
8. Rudder
9. Elevator
10. Leftwing panel
11.Rightwingpanel
12. Wires, turnbuckles and hardware for assembly
(notshown)
13. Assemblymanual with scale documentation
13
8
11
9
10
7
6
4
3
2
1