Armstrong Whitworth F.K.10

Armstrong Whitworth/Koolhoven F. To.10 Quad
Fighter čtyřplošník from 1916 Armstrong Whitworth F. To. 10 was among the numerous experiments one of the Koolhovenových less successful proposals. At this time appeared the view that increasing the number of bearing surfaces is a way to increase the performance of the aircraft. Seemingly copulation and the fact that just at this time belonged to the successful types of aircraft the Sopwith Triplane, which itself arose as a response to the deployment of the German trojplošného the Fokker Dr. I. Design F. To. 10 shifted this principle one step further – he suggested a machine in čtyřplošné configuration, also used in the company Pemberton-Billing (later known as Supermarine) for the P. B. 29E and protizeppelinový fighter Supermarine Nighthawk, and reconnaissance Wight Quadruplane. Another design innovation was the use of a floating elevator (i.e. no fixed stabilizer), which is a system still used in the current reactive fighters.

Even if it was due to the floating výškovce somewhat unstable F. To. 10 was, according to the report of the test pilots moving with good maneuverability. His performance however did not meet the requirements as they were specified headquarters of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, so order 50 pieces F.To.10 was gradually reversed and it was built only a few machines. Yet he became one of the few čtyřplošníků that went into production. Operationally it was never used.

The design and construction of
F. To.10 was designed in 1916 by a Dutch engineer Frederik Koolhovenem, the main designer of the firm of Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft as a single engine two-seater fighter. Koolhoven your F. To. 10 build as an improved variant of a type F. To. 9, however, in fact, created a whole new plane-čtyřplošník. The basic function of the aircraft should be the ability to act as a fighter and battle, but also perform the function of windows explorer. It should correspond to the equipment – 1 synchronised fixed Vickers machine gun .303 inch (7.7 mm) operated by pilot, 1 a movable Lewis machine gun the same caliber, positioned on the associated circle in the space of the gunner/observer. The aircraft could have on the podkřídelních racks to carry light bombs.

The first prototype, F. To. 9 was built and first flew in the summer of 1916, powered by a Clerget 9Z on the performance of 110 horsepower (80 kW ). Had a narrow fuselage with wings related simple, intermediate struts, similar to those used by the Sopwith Triplane. Individual machines were given new engines, 130 hp (100 kW) Clerget 9B, or Le Rhône 9J. After evaluation at the Central Flying School at the end of 1916 1916, the order was placed on the production of 50 pieces for the RFC modified version, now designated F. To. 10. The machines bear, and should bear the serial numbers A5212 - A5213 2
A8950 - A8999 50 not used
B3996 - B4000 5
N511 - Board N514 August 4

Serial F. To. 10 had a new, deeper fuselage and new tail, but retained the arrangement of the wings F. To. 9. Despite the use of more powerful engines showed a F. To. 10 lower performances than the Sopwith 1/2 Strutter, a successful double fighter that already in ordinary service, and so the order was RFC limited to only five pieces, and three more were built for the RNAS. None was forthcoming operational deployment used and this design was not further developed..

foto jednoho z osmi postavených strojů

One more - unfortunately, the less perfect - picture of ...

drawing