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In May 1940 the Fokker G-1 surely was the best plane the Dutch airforce could offer. Generally speaking in 1940 the Fokker G-1 was not bad plane but as soon would appear in combat with other fighter planes it was not a good match.

The G-1 in its time had a very progressive concept. This concept is now known as the multirole fighter. Basically a fighter which must be capable to perform all tasks but is not excellent at any task. (JSF Joint Strike Fighter / Tornado).

 

Quote from the  Fokker G-1 Mercury manual :

The Fokker G-1 is a 2- or 3-persons fighter, designed as two -engine cantilever mid-plane , suitable for different functions , such as :

  • GROUND ATTACK AIRCRAFT
  • WARPLANE/FIGHTER
  • BOMBER
  • DIVE BOMBER
  • RECONNAISANCE

 

The idea to develop this type of multi role fighter was an idea from Fokker himself, however the idea of a multi role machine was already known.

 

Around 1936 other aircraft manufacturers around the world developed aircraft with similar specifications.  The best known is the Messerschmit Bf 110 Zerstorer . This multifunctional idea lived in several countries , as is demonstrated by the strong interest and sales of licensed construction of the G-1 abroad. (Spain, Denmark , Sweden) Although the specifications for the G-1 Mercury were drawn up by the Air Force implementation was largely owned by Fokker. The requirement to serve as a reconnaisance-plane meant that the G-1 had to have a reasonable range, an observer and radioman to signal through the observations.The view had to be good hence the many windows in the hull (in practice the pilot proved to have the best view). The radio equipment at that time was quite heavy (69 kilos). All this together resulting in a rather large airplane. (hence likely to be called "G-1")

 

The pilot was obviously in the front, behind him between the main beams the radio operator, and in the shooting dome the observer / gunner / bombardier . The intention was that the G-1 was flown to a 3-man crew while observing and in other roles with a 2-man crew. 

 

General information (from official manuals). For comparison, also the data of the Fokker G-1 Wasp is shown:

 

MERCURY

WASP

Flight

17.16 meter

16.50 meter

Lenght

10.87 meter

10.38 meter

Height

3.80 meter

3.35 meter

Gauge

 4.63 meter

4.00 meter

Wing area

38.30 meter2

35.70 meter2

Wing-load 

125 kg/m2

123 kg/m2

HP-load

2.90 kg/hp

2.95 kg/hp

Range

1500 km cruising at 4265 meter altitude at 383 km/h

1450 km cruising at 3400 meter altitude at 355 km/h

Engines

Bristol 

Mercury VIII

9 cilinder star

volume 24.9 liter

830 HP / 4100 meter

Pratt & Whitney

Twin Wasp Jr SB 4-G

14 cilinder double row star

volume 25.1 liter

825 HP / 0 meter

750 HP / 2850 meter

 

 

  MERCURY WASP

plane composition

2 persons 3 persons 2 persons

empty weight

3330 kg 3345 kg 3150 kg

load  

1470 kg 1455 kg 1250 kg

Total weight  

4800 kg 4800 kg 4400 kg

Maximum allowed weight

5000 kg 5000 kg 4800 kg

 

Speed

Altitude

MERCURY WASP

      0 meter

399 km/h 384 km/h

1000 meter

417 km/h 400 km/h

2000 meter

436 km/h 418 km/h

4000 meter

473 km/h 439 km/h

6000 meter

452 km/h 421 km/h

7000 meter

435 km/h 412 km/h

 

Climb rate

  MERCURY WASP

Altitude / weight

4500 kg 5500 kg 4400 kg 4800 kg

      0 meter

13.9 m/sec 13.3 m/sec 12.3 m/sec 11.2 m/sec

1000 meter

13.9 m/sec

13.3 m/sec

11.1 m/sec

10.0 m/sec

2000 meter

13.9 m/sec

13.3 m/sec

10.6 m/sec

9.5 m/sec

4000 meter

12.2 m/sec

11.6 m/sec

8.5 m/sec

7.3 m/sec

6000 meter

  8.1 m/sec

7.6 m/sec

  6.6 m/sec

5.5 m/sec

7000 meter

  6.1 m/sec  5.7 m/sec   4.6 m/sec  3.6 m/sec

9000 meter

  2.2 m/sec  1.9 m/sec    

 

Maximum altitude

MERCURY WASP
4500 kg

absolute  10150 meter

in practice 9900 meter

4400 kg

absolute    9300 meter

in practice 9000 meter

5000 kg

absolute  10000 meter

in practice 9750 meter

4800 kg

absolute    8900 meter

in practice 8600 meter