Top speed 235 km/h Length 7.8 m Retired 1927 | Wingspan 14 m Introduced 1925 Manufacturer Koolhoven | |
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NVI F.K.31 was a Dutch designed parasol wing two seat reconnaissance-fighter, which was developed in the 1920s by Frederick Koolhoven. The aircraft saw some service in the Finnish Air Force.
Contents
History
The F.K.31 became Koolhoven's first design for the N.V. Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie ("National Aircraft Industry") a two-seat scout and fighter. Its prototype became the sensation of the Paris Air Salon of 1922. However, the production of the F.K.31 met with many difficulties, forcing the N.V. Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie to close down.
Further development was carried out in France, resulting in the De Monge M.101 C2, but only a single example was built, powered by a Gnome & Rhône 9Ac radial engine.
Use in Finland
The Finnish Air Force used twelve F.K.31s between 1925-27. The aircraft had been purchased while the development still was being carried out. The Finnish pilots disliked the aircraft and it has been considered the worst aircraft of the FAF. The F.K.31s flew for fewer than 6 hours in the Finnish Air Force.
Operators
Specifications
Data from Green & Swanborough (1997) p.461
General characteristics
Performance
Armament