Fokker G-1 video

[India Four Two]

I've just stumbled upon this very interesting video:

This rare film shows the Fokker G-1 prototype X-2, flown by the Chech tespilot Mares at march 31 1937. Newsitem by the Dutch Polygoon (cinema) journaal. No proper sound.

[SincoTC]

I've just stumbled upon this very interesting video:

Nice find Simon, thanks for sharing it's very interesting as you say!

Quite spirited handling by Karel Mares at a fairly early stage in its career!

I note from the video, that the originally fitted Hispano-Suiza 14AB-02/03 engines were set up to run as counter-rotating pairs (I think that's what the suffix 02/03 means ), whereas, the in-service photos show the replacement Wasp or Mercury units running in the same direction.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by SincoTC

I note from the video, that the originally fitted Hispano-Suiza 14AB-02/03 engines were set up to run as counter-rotating pairs (I think that's what the suffix 02/03 means)

Yes, early Breguet 690s had the same pair of engines with C/R props, presumably achieved in the gearbox rather than having the crankshafts rotating in opposite directions.

As a general rule, H-S engines had even-numbered suffixes, any that had odd numbers drove C/R props.

[megan]

“Kelly” Johnsons inspiration (said jokingly) for the P-38? Except for the tail wheel of course. Kelly even copied the engine rotation on his prototype.

[India Four Two]

Kelly even copied the engine rotation on his prototype.

I seem to recall from a book about the P-38 that they had to swap the engines to change the direction of the propwash, which was causing handling difficulties - stability during gunnery?

Looking at the G-1 video again, I see there was only one-tailwheel, in the middle of the tailplane. That must have required considerable beefing up of the structure. I wonder if the weight penalty was worth it.

[Flybiker7000]

Wasnt it the brits who changed the direction of the prop's on the P-38?
Anyhow, counter rotating propellars are rare to find but one of few the twin engined a/c's with counter rotating propellars: The OV-O1 Bronco, is with it's twin boom design much like the P-38 :-/

[megan]

they had to swap the engines to change the direction of the propwash, which was causing handling difficulties - stability during gunnery?

Yes, it all had to do with the power on/power off change in pitching moment. The rotation finally settled on produced the least change, and so made for a better gun platform. The original prototype direction was the worse, with the British set up in between.

Wasnt it the brits who changed the direction of the prop's on the P-38?

The British had both engines rotating in the same direction, as they wanted commonality with the P-40. Not used in combat and most saw their life out as trainers in the US with the USAAF.

[Anilv]

Looks more like Northrop's P-61 Black Widow. 'specially the glassed in area at the back.

The Black Widow had radial engines too.

Anil