
Specifications
Year: 1938
Manufacturer(s): N.V. Koolhoven - Netherlands
Production: 31
Capabilities: Training;
Manufacturer(s): N.V. Koolhoven - Netherlands
Production: 31
Capabilities: Training;
Crew: 2
Length: 25.75 ft (7.85 m)
Width: 37.73 ft (11.5 m)
Height: 7.55 ft (2.3 m)
Weight (Empty): 2,332 lb (1,058 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 3,527 lb (1,600 kg)
Length: 25.75 ft (7.85 m)
Width: 37.73 ft (11.5 m)
Height: 7.55 ft (2.3 m)
Weight (Empty): 2,332 lb (1,058 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 3,527 lb (1,600 kg)
Power: 1 x Wright "Whirlwind" R-975-E3 radial piston engine developing 451 horsepower.
Speed: 186 mph (300 kph; 162 kts)
Ceiling: 23,950 feet (7,300 m; 4.54 miles)
Range: 497 miles (800 km; 432 nm)
Ceiling: 23,950 feet (7,300 m; 4.54 miles)
Range: 497 miles (800 km; 432 nm)
Operators: Belgium; Netherlands
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.
Armament
None.
Variants / Models
• F.K.56 - Base Series Designation; 31 examples completed.