By M. G. Beck, of the frequent re.
in the telegrams to the Fokker monoplane, a short description of the captured machine of this make which has been on vi at the Horse Guards Parade, with two Albatros machines, may be of machine is a palpable uch Moraneer, or of the British version of it as produced by the Grahame White Aviation Ao. Experts declared that they cannot sco any improvement in the Fokker which not already embodied in the above-mentioned Allied machines.
When turning to the constructional work of the Fokker, how: ever, radical departures from the French design are noted. Chief of these is the building up of the body of steel tubes throughout its entire length. In fact with the exception of the wings, which have spars and ribs of wood, the whole machine is constructed of steel tubing. Whether or no this is an advantage is a debatable point, bat it may be pointed out that a steel tube, while quite strong in its way, may very easily have its strength dangerously impaired by cause in itself trivial, such as a slight dent made by the dropping of a tool. or even an accidental knock with the toe of a boot. Pilot and passenger are accommodated in a common cockpit, the pilot having a "bucket" seat, and the passenger (if one is carried) has to be satisfied with a piece of plain board immediately behind the vilot's seat.
Owing to the position of the orcupants between the main spars of the wings the view in a downward direction is somewhat restricted. In order to improve it the leading and trailing edges have been cut away near the body. and, probably for purposes of facility in firing provided in the upper hi sides of the body. As the. aim of the gunner would be made somewhat more difficult by the rush of air that would find its way inwards
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.