OVERVIEW
The Koolhoven F.K.56 basic trainer served both the Belgian and Dutch air forces prior to World War 2 - though production was very limited.
The Koolhoven F.K.56 basic trainer served both the Belgian and Dutch air forces prior to World War 2 - though production was very limited.
YEAR: 1938
MANUFACTURER(S): N.V. Koolhoven - Netherlands
PRODUCTION: 31
OPERATORS: Belgium; Netherlands
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Koolhoven F.K.56 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Koolhoven F.K.56 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 2
LENGTH: 25.75 feet (7.85 meters)
WIDTH: 37.73 feet (11.5 meters)
HEIGHT: 7.55 feet (2.3 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 2,332 pounds (1,058 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 3,527 pounds (1,600 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Wright "Whirlwind" R-975-E3 radial piston engine developing 451 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 186 miles-per-hour (300 kilometers-per-hour; 162 knots)
RANGE: 497 miles (800 kilometers; 432 nautical miles)
CEILING: 23,950 feet (7,300 meters; 4.54 miles)
ARMAMENT
None.
None.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• F.K.56 - Base Series Designation; 31 examples completed.
Series Model Variants
• F.K.56 - Base Series Designation; 31 examples completed.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Koolhoven F.K.56 Basic Monoplane Trainer Aircraft. Entry last updated on 5/26/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Koolhoven F.K.56 Basic Monoplane Trainer Aircraft. Entry last updated on 5/26/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Dutch aircraft concern of N.V. Koolhoven was established in 1926 and managed for itself a healthy resume of locally-designed and -developed aircraft heading into World War 2 (1939-1945). The company' s historical reach ended after May of 1940 as the Germans steamrolled towards Paris by way of The Netherlands and Belgium. Before its end, Koolhoven was able to deliver several notable designs of which one became the "F.K.56", a modern monoplane used for basic training. Only thirty-one of the type were completed and these went on to stock the air services of both The Netherlands and Belgium.
The F.K.56 carried its crew of two in tandem under a framed, fully-enclosed canopy. The engine was mounted at the front of the fuselage in the usual way and the wing mainplanes set low along the fuselage sides. To each wing was mounted a fixed main wheeled leg with a tailwheel seated under the aft section of the aircraft. The tail unit itself was traditional, utilizing a single vertical fin with mid-mounted horizontal planes. As a basic trainer, the aircraft's designated role was in introducing future aviators to the nuances of modern flight - so no armament was fitted.
Dimensions included a length of 7.8 meters, a wingspan of 11.5 meters, and a height of 2.3 meters. Empty weight was 1,060 kilograms against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,600 kg. With power served through an American Wright "Whirlwind" R-975-E3 radial piston engine of 451 horsepower, the F.K.56 managed a maximum speed of 185 miles per hour, a range out to 500 miles, and a service ceiling of 24,000 feet.
First flight of a prototype form was recorded on June 30th, 1938. A second prototype followed that had a retractable undercarriage arrangement and third followed that with a revised wing mainplane and dual-control scheme. From the latter offering, the Dutch Army contracted for ten aircraft and the Belgians followed in February of 1940 with a twenty-strong order of their own. The type was available during the German invasion in 1940 but could do little to stave off their respective country's defeat - all ten were delivered to the Dutch before its fate was sealed while the Belgians had taken on seven of their twenty ordered.
With the end of the Koolhoven facility at Waalhaven Airport - destroyed by German bombs - and the conquering of The Netherlands and Belgium, the F.K.56 was no more.
The F.K.56 carried its crew of two in tandem under a framed, fully-enclosed canopy. The engine was mounted at the front of the fuselage in the usual way and the wing mainplanes set low along the fuselage sides. To each wing was mounted a fixed main wheeled leg with a tailwheel seated under the aft section of the aircraft. The tail unit itself was traditional, utilizing a single vertical fin with mid-mounted horizontal planes. As a basic trainer, the aircraft's designated role was in introducing future aviators to the nuances of modern flight - so no armament was fitted.
Dimensions included a length of 7.8 meters, a wingspan of 11.5 meters, and a height of 2.3 meters. Empty weight was 1,060 kilograms against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,600 kg. With power served through an American Wright "Whirlwind" R-975-E3 radial piston engine of 451 horsepower, the F.K.56 managed a maximum speed of 185 miles per hour, a range out to 500 miles, and a service ceiling of 24,000 feet.
First flight of a prototype form was recorded on June 30th, 1938. A second prototype followed that had a retractable undercarriage arrangement and third followed that with a revised wing mainplane and dual-control scheme. From the latter offering, the Dutch Army contracted for ten aircraft and the Belgians followed in February of 1940 with a twenty-strong order of their own. The type was available during the German invasion in 1940 but could do little to stave off their respective country's defeat - all ten were delivered to the Dutch before its fate was sealed while the Belgians had taken on seven of their twenty ordered.
With the end of the Koolhoven facility at Waalhaven Airport - destroyed by German bombs - and the conquering of The Netherlands and Belgium, the F.K.56 was no more.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (186mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Koolhoven F.K.56's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
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Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
31
31
Altitude Visualization
