In May 1940 the Fokker G-1 surely was the best plane the Dutch airforce could offer. Generally speaking in 1940 the Fokker G-1 was not bad plane but as soon would appear in combat with other fighter planes it was not a good match.
The G-1 in its time had a very progressive concept. This concept is now known as the multirole fighter. Basically a fighter which must be capable to perform all tasks but is not excellent at any task. (JSF Joint Strike Fighter / Tornado).
Quote from the Fokker G-1 Mercury manual :
The Fokker G-1 is a 2- or 3-persons fighter, designed as two -engine cantilever mid-plane , suitable for different functions , such as :
- GROUND ATTACK AIRCRAFT
- WARPLANE/FIGHTER
- BOMBER
- DIVE BOMBER
- RECONNAISANCE
The idea to develop this type of multi role fighter was an idea from Fokker himself, however the idea of a multi role machine was already known.
Around 1936 other aircraft manufacturers around the world developed aircraft with similar specifications. The best known is the Messerschmit Bf 110 Zerstorer . This multifunctional idea lived in several countries , as is demonstrated by the strong interest and sales of licensed construction of the G-1 abroad. (Spain, Denmark , Sweden) Although the specifications for the G-1 Mercury were drawn up by the Air Force implementation was largely owned by Fokker. The requirement to serve as a reconnaisance-plane meant that the G-1 had to have a reasonable range, an observer and radioman to signal through the observations.The view had to be good hence the many windows in the hull (in practice the pilot proved to have the best view). The radio equipment at that time was quite heavy (69 kilos). All this together resulting in a rather large airplane. (hence likely to be called "G-1")
The pilot was obviously in the front, behind him between the main beams the radio operator, and in the shooting dome the observer / gunner / bombardier . The intention was that the G-1 was flown to a 3-man crew while observing and in other roles with a 2-man crew.
General information (from official manuals). For comparison, also the data of the Fokker G-1 Wasp is shown:
MERCURY |
WASP |
|
Flight |
17.16 meter |
16.50 meter |
Lenght |
10.87 meter |
10.38 meter |
Height |
3.80 meter |
3.35 meter |
Gauge |
4.63 meter |
4.00 meter |
Wing area |
38.30 meter2 |
35.70 meter2 |
Wing-load |
125 kg/m2 |
123 kg/m2 |
HP-load |
2.90 kg/hp |
2.95 kg/hp |
Range |
1500 km cruising at 4265 meter altitude at 383 km/h |
1450 km cruising at 3400 meter altitude at 355 km/h |
Engines |
Bristol Mercury VIII 9 cilinder star volume 24.9 liter 830 HP / 4100 meter |
Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Jr SB 4-G 14 cilinder double row star volume 25.1 liter 825 HP / 0 meter 750 HP / 2850 meter |
MERCURY | WASP | ||
plane composition |
2 persons | 3 persons | 2 persons |
empty weight |
3330 kg | 3345 kg | 3150 kg |
load |
1470 kg | 1455 kg | 1250 kg |
Total weight |
4800 kg | 4800 kg | 4400 kg |
Maximum allowed weight |
5000 kg | 5000 kg | 4800 kg |
Speed
Altitude |
MERCURY | WASP |
0 meter |
399 km/h | 384 km/h |
1000 meter |
417 km/h | 400 km/h |
2000 meter |
436 km/h | 418 km/h |
4000 meter |
473 km/h | 439 km/h |
6000 meter |
452 km/h | 421 km/h |
7000 meter |
435 km/h | 412 km/h |
Climb rate
MERCURY | WASP | |||
Altitude / weight |
4500 kg | 5500 kg | 4400 kg | 4800 kg |
0 meter |
13.9 m/sec | 13.3 m/sec | 12.3 m/sec | 11.2 m/sec |
1000 meter |
13.9 m/sec |
13.3 m/sec |
11.1 m/sec |
10.0 m/sec |
2000 meter |
13.9 m/sec |
13.3 m/sec |
10.6 m/sec |
9.5 m/sec |
4000 meter |
12.2 m/sec |
11.6 m/sec |
8.5 m/sec |
7.3 m/sec |
6000 meter |
8.1 m/sec |
7.6 m/sec |
6.6 m/sec |
5.5 m/sec |
7000 meter |
6.1 m/sec | 5.7 m/sec | 4.6 m/sec | 3.6 m/sec |
9000 meter |
2.2 m/sec | 1.9 m/sec |
Maximum altitude
MERCURY | WASP | ||
4500 kg |
absolute 10150 meter in practice 9900 meter |
4400 kg |
absolute 9300 meter in practice 9000 meter |
5000 kg |
absolute 10000 meter in practice 9750 meter |
4800 kg |
absolute 8900 meter in practice 8600 meter |