On this day in aviation history, 89 years ago—March 27, 1936—the first flight of the Fokker D.XXI took place. Designed in 1935 to meet a request from the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force, the D.XXI was a single-engine fighter intended to be simple, cost-effective, and easy to produce, while maintaining the strength and performance required for the time. Nicknamed ‘The Flying Dutchman,’ the D.XXI would go on to serve extensively in the early days of World War II.
The first military force to fly the Fokker D.XXI in combat was the Finnish Air Force, during the Winter War of 1939-1940 against the Soviet Union. At the war’s outset, the Finnish Air Force had 41 Fokker D.XXIs in service. On December 1, 1939, a Finnish D.XXI achieved the aircraft’s first aerial victory when it shot down a Soviet Tupolev SB fast-bomber. Despite early successes, the rapid technological advancements of the war left the Fokker D.XXI increasingly outclassed. As the Soviet Air Force deployed more advanced fighter aircraft, the D.XXI began to struggle, being underpowered and outgunned. However, the Fokker continued to serve in the Continuation War (1941-1944), primarily in a secondary role alongside more advanced Finnish fighters. Though no longer on the front lines, the D.XXI still played a significant part in Finland’s war effort.
The Fokker D.XXI was powered by a Bristol Mercury VIII, a 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine that produced 830 horsepower. This engine allowed the aircraft to reach a top speed of 290 miles per hour—a respectable performance, especially with its fixed landing gear. The D.XXI’s enclosed canopy, a luxury for its time, provided a service ceiling of 37,240 feet, though pilots had to contend with freezing conditions at such altitudes. Armed with four 7.7-millimeter Vickers machine guns mounted in the wings, the D.XXI had a decent armament for its role.
In 2022, a Fokker D.XII replica built by aircraft restorer Jack van Egmond took flight at Hoogeveen Airport in the Netherlands. This replica was constructed to original Fokker specifications and even incorporated some original parts. It’s a rare, airworthy testament to the Fokker D.XXI’s legacy. Three other D.XIIs are preserved around the world, either as replicas or as parts. ‘The Flying Dutchman’ remains a unique aircraft that came at the right time, fulfilling its role during a pivotal moment in aviation history.
