Fokker F.VIII

[Stunthenk]

While working on a (hopefully) reasonable model Jupiter, my mind tends to wander and starts dreaming about next projects. With the real risk of my dreams outstripping my abilities, I started wondering about building a electric powered twin, and there is a wonderfull candidate from the Fokker stable, the F.VIII! This was designed because the KLM wanted a larger aeroplane with more passenger capacity. The design started out as a trimotor but it was realised that motors were becoming more reliable so the center motor was ommitted. This had as advantages that it was cheaper to operate, there was less noise and vibration in the fuselage, and a larger freight compartment in the nose. The structure was almost identical to the F.VII. Fortunately, there is enough information available on the internet to design a model.
First picture: H-NAED with contruction number 5041. Quite an elegant plane, isn't it?
Second picture: the available 3-view is not of the best quality.
Third picture: this drawing looks a lot more accurate.

[Stunthenk]

Colours should be no problem, as the F.VIII was featured in a comtemporary advertising poster. Designing the structure will be helped by pictures of an uncorverd airframe.

[Stunthenk]

Unfortunately, especially as I am wrestling with making a 'naked' model radial engine, the F.VIII has two! Bristol Jupiters again, the IV version. But then I discovered pictures of F.VIII's that had been re-engined later in their careers, with P&W Wasps and Wright Cyclones, fitted with Townend rings. A lot easier to replicate! One of them was PH-AED. By the way, the change in registration came about in 1929, when countries were allocated national registration letters by the FAI. Before that, H stood for Holland, completely ignoring that there was also a Hungary. And the fact that this country is called Nederland...The new letters were PH (no idea what the P stands for) so H-NAED became PH-AED.
First picture: PH-AED already with the new registration but still with the Bristol Jupiters. Note the nose cap is open for loading or unloading (go to the white zone).
Second picture: PH-AED with cowled engines. Bu are they Wasps or Cyclones? My guess is Wasp, as the shield is similar to that of the Boeing P-26 which was als powered by a Wasp.
Third picture: a side view of PH-AED with Wasps.

[Stunthenk]

In the bottom picture of the last installment of this series a huge amount of downthrust is visible. This was not only apparent with the P&W Wasps, but with the earlier Jupiters too. This brings me to the power for the model. I have tentatively decided on a wingspan of 60 cm, or 23 5/8 inch. This makes for a reasonably sized model and gives room for 8 cm. dia props. And I hope the power of twin 7 mm pager motors with reduction gear will be enough.
Available props from the Drone world seem to be 65 mm dia. with a pitch of either 1 inch or 1,2 inch; and 3 inch dia. with 2, 2,2 or 3 inch pitch. These props are available in both clockwise and anti-clickwise running. I tend to go with one engine clockwise and the other anti-clockwise to eleminate torgue. I would appreceate advice from experts on electric power if my expectations are correct and about what to choose.
The picture shows a Jupiter powered F.VIII with a ring cowl and the same massive downthrust.