Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| F.K.3 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | |
| Manufacturer | Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft |
| Designed by | Frederick Koolhoven |
| Primary user | Royal Flying Corps |
| Developed from | Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2 |
The Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 was a British two-seat general purpose aircraft built by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Dutch aircraft designer Frederick Koolhoven joined Armstrong Whitworth in 1914. He designed a series of aircraft that had his initials in their designation. The F.K.3 was his first design and was based on the Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c, which Armstrong Whitworth were building for the Royal Flying Corps. It was designed as an improvement, with a simplified structure. Trials at Upavon in May 1916 proved that the F.K.3 had a better performance than the BE.2c. Armstrong Whitworth were given a contract to build 150 aircraft with another 350 being built by Hewlett & Blondeau at Luton. Production F.K.3s had the pilots and observers positions reversed from that of the prototype (and the B.E.2), so that the pilot set in the front seat and the observer in the rear, thus allowing the observer a much more effective field of fire.
[edit] Operational Service
Only one overseas unit received the F.K.3 (which was 47 Squadron at Salonika), all the other aircraft were based in the United Kingdom. Most of the aircraft were used for training until replaced by the Avro 504.
[edit] Military Operators
- United Kingdom
[edit] Units using the F.K.3
[edit] Specifications (F.K.3)
Data from The British Bomber since 1914[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 29 ft (8.84 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft (12.19 m)
- Height: 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m)
- Wing area: 442 ft² (41.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,386 lb (629 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,056 lb (983 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× RAF 1A inline piston engine, 90 hp (67 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 77 knots (89 mph, 143 km/h) at sea level
- Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
- Rate of Climb: 5000 ft in 19 min
Armament
- 1 0.303 in Lewis gun in rear cockpit
or
- up to 112 lb bombs (if flown as single seater)
[edit] References
- ^ Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
[edit] Related content
Related development
Designation sequence
F.K.3 - F.K.8
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
