The Fokker Eindecker: The First True Fighter Plane

Introduction: A New Threat in the Skies

In 1915, during World War I, the German Air Service introduced a revolutionary aircraft—the Fokker Eindecker (“monoplane”). This seemingly simple machine completely shifted the balance of air power and ushered in what became known as the “Fokker Scourge.”

Design and Features

Unlike most Allied biplanes of the time, the Eindecker was a monoplane (single-wing) aircraft. It was relatively small and lightweight, with a wingspan of about 32 feet (10 m) and powered by a 100-horsepower rotary engine. Its real innovation, however, wasn’t its shape or engine. It was the synchronization gear.

The Synchronization Gear

The Fokker company developed a mechanism that allowed a machine gun to be timed with the rotation of the propeller. This meant the pilot could fire straight ahead without destroying his own blades. For the first time, a single pilot could aim the entire airplane at an enemy and shoot with deadly accuracy.

Impact on Air Combat

The Eindecker gave German pilots a significant advantage from mid-1915 through early 1916. During this period, German aces like Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke scored numerous victories, cementing their reputations as legends. The fear and frustration caused among Allied pilots and troops became known as the “Fokker Scourge.”

Limitations

Despite its revolutionary gun system, the Eindecker was not a perfect aircraft. It was slow, with a top speed of around 87 mph (140 km/h), and not especially maneuverable compared to later fighters. By mid-1916, newer Allied aircraft like the Airco DH.2 and the Nieuport 11 began to outclass it, ending Germany’s early dominance in the skies.

Legacy

The Fokker Eindecker was the first true fighter plane in history. It changed the way wars were fought by proving that the skies themselves could be contested. Its synchronization gear became standard in almost all subsequent fighter designs and marked the beginning of air combat as we know it.