SECRETS OF THE "FOKKER"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2722, 17 March 1916, Page 6

SECRETS OF THE "FOKKER"

MUCH-DISCUSSED PLANES. 'A correspondent of the Swiss "National Zeitung"' has given to that paper some interesting details concerning the German military aeroplanes, which, he says, are divided into three distinct classes. The details have been transmitted by tho "Basle Central News" correspondent. , 1 >. 'The first class is confined almost entirely to t-he Albatross type of machine, which is specially designed for long-dis-tancc scouting. These machines are distinguished for their strength and for the size of their reservoirs,-which carry enough gasoline to enable them to remain in the air many hours. ■ For some time these aeroplanes have been provided with transparent wings, tho cloth of which is soaked with a liquid of secret composition. Without rendering the macliino invisible, this has the effect of deceiving tho eve as to the rate at' which it is travelling and as'to its height. These machines thus escapc fairly easily from artillery, firing. The second type is the fighting aeroplane. Tho chief characteristics of, this machine is that it lias two rudders, between which is fixed an armoured "boat," armed with two machinc-guns, which are on swivels, and can bo fired in almost, any direction. This typo of aeroplane, like the Albatross, is fitted with an engine of 200 li.p. Tho third type of German aeroplano is the much-discussed Fokker machine, which is claimed to bo'tho fastest and most deadly air machine in existence.

Tlie Germans are taking tlio most <ixtraordinnrv precautions to preserve tlio secret of this maohino's construction, and so far tlio Allies have not b"on ablo to capture one of thom 111 a sufficiently "whole" condition to permit of a satisfactory study.

Tlio pilots of thosa machines hnvo tho strictest instructions not to venture boyond tlio Gorman linos, but to confine tliomsolvcs exclusively to tho pursuit of enemy aeroplanes which cross the German linos. In. the possililo ovont of their falling in or behind tho onomy linos, tlio pilots havo imperative instructions to destroy tlio ongines at all costs.

The sccrot of tho Fokkcr's offectivencsg la bolioyed to lio entirely in a now form of engine construction, which onablos tho machino to riso and travel appreciably faster t.hnn nity aoropiano so fnr oniployed b.y tho Allies.—"Central Nows." ) 1