Fokker Dr.I

Aerobask
Fokker Dr.I
for X-Plane 10
User Manual
Aerobask
Table of Contents
Part I: Historical Background
3
Introduction
About the Dr.I
The Red Baron
The Aerobask Model
Final Thoughts
4
4
5
6
6
Part II: Aircraft Description & Instructions
7
Installation and Settings
Requirements
Installation
Settings
8
8
8
8
Aircraft Dimensions
Aircraft Specifications
Upper Instruments
Lower Instruments
On-Screen Menus
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Takeoff & Landing
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Part III: Air Combat in the Fokker Dr.I
16
Air Combat in X-Plane 10
Getting and Arming AI Aircraft
Setting up Teams in X-Plane
Using the Dr.I in Multiplayer
17
17
17
18
Basic Fighter Tactics
The Dicta Boelcke
Common Maneuvers
19
19
20
2
Photo: Wikipedia
The Red Baron's Dr.I
Part I: Historical Background
Aerobask
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Aerobask
Fokker Dr.I for X-Plane 10. This aircraft is very different
from our previous products – usually we offer you
renditions of very modern 21st century aircraft, such as
the Epic Victory; the Fokker Dr.I, built in early 20th
century, is the complete opposite. And it has a history.
About the Dr.I
The Dr.I is a triplane, which is a rare thing in itself. The
Dr.I is also one of the most famous fighter aircraft. In late
World War I it was an answer to the earlier British
Sopwith Triplane which had been a real danger to the
Germans since November 1916.1
Anthony Fokker, developer of the Dr.I
The Dr.I was a successful fighter during the final months
of the war, but it had some shortcomings, such as slow
speed, short range, unreliable engines and wing failures
due to the triplane concept. Anthony Fokker knew of
these problems, but he optimized the Dr.I for the “five or
ten minutes of the actual duel in the air”2.
Castan, Joachim: Der Rote Baron. Stuttgart 2016, p. 191.
Quoted in Castan 2016, p. 192. All quotes translated for this manual by Mario Donick.
3
Castan 2016, p. 192.
4
Ibid., p. 193.
1
2
4
Photo: Wikipedia
Fokker admitted that “due to the light weight and
maneuverability, with which the machine executed the
most daring feats, the Allies never recognized how slow
it actually was”3. Some call the Dr.I “a flying machine
gun”4 to refer to its main purpose.
The Red Baron
Manfred von Richthofen, better
known as the “Red Baron”
Most of the Dr.I's fame is associated with Manfred von
Richthofen (1892–1918), a fighter pilot of the Imperial
German Army. Richthofen is better known as “Red
Baron”, because he was a Freiherr (a German title of
nobility in his days) and flying red-painted aircraft.
Photo: Wikipedia
Richthofen had flown pre-production versions of the Dr.I
in 1917 (the F.I), but it took months to solve the plane's
initial problems. When the Dr.I was finally issued to
Richthofen's fighter squadron in 1918, he gained the last
19 of his 80 victories in it, the first on March 12th. Only
six weeks later he was killed. German historian Joachim
Castan emphasizes that only a fraction of Richthofen's
victories was gained in the Dr.I.1 For Richthofen's final
months, Castan attests to him a manic obsession with
setting enemies on fire instead of just forcing them to
land or leave the aircraft2, a cruel type of victory in
aerial combat that emerged both among the Germans
and the Allies during the end of the war.3
Castan concludes that Richthofen's “body and soul had
been broken”4. Castan rejects the legend that Richthofen
was a chivalric hero.5 According to Castan, Richthofen
was willing to hide the cruelty of war behind a shiny
dress6 – a propaganda effort which continued in World
War II and still shows in most of the literature, in movies
and video games. Only in recent years a more reflected
view on Richthofen emerged, with Castan's Richthofen
biography as one important example.
“
In the public awareness, the “outstanding”
Fokker triplane and the daredevil model hero
Richthofen merged to an inseparable unit,
which initially served propaganda and later
became part of the Richthofen legend. Due to
the enemy's numerical superiority,
Richthofen in a signal red Fokker triplane
fought a desparate battle for survival, which
was impossible to win.
Castan 2016, p. 214.
Ibid., pp. 229–231.
3
Ibid., p. 231.
4
Ibid., p. 332.
5
Ibid., p. 302.
6
Ibid.
*
Ibid., p. 215.
1
2
– Joachim Castan*
5
“
Only 320 Fokker Dr.I were used by the German Army Air
Service in active duty, and most of them were shot down
by Allied forces during March and April 1918.1 The Dr.I
was no 'wonder weapon' and Richthofen's successes
were an exception, based on his individual abilities as a
pilot. Less experienced pilots had problems with the Dr.I,
as the quote by pilot Richard Wenzl (to the right) shows.
Aerobask
I had to get used to the fine control
movements, was flying my machine
way too bumpy and therefore was
curving to much.
– Lieutenant Richard Wenzl*
The Aerobask Model
The kind of flying challenge Fokker and Wenzl described
is what our simulation of the Dr.I tries to deliver. The Dr.I is
a simple aircraft, but not easy to fly. You only have basic
instruments and your view is obstructed. Speed is low, but
climb and turn rates are high. In simulation mode, the
aircraft sinks when you roll to the right and climbs when
you roll to the left. There is no trim, and your engine may
fail.
Final Thoughts
Usually, in this part of our manuals, we wish you lots of
fun. That would feel strange here – after all the real Dr.I
was made for a war which was cruel even in the air.2
Military legends, such as the “Red Baron”, build an
ahistorical picture of heroism and chivalry. Simulations
and games easily fall into the trap of affirming such
legends. We at Aerobask do not endorse violence or
war, but still believe the aircraft itself is very interesting.
We want to give an impression how simple technology
leads to an impressive flight behavior. Just never forget
why the Dr.I got this behavior in the first place.
Castan 2016, p. 214.
Cruel as in shooting enemies who had already landed (Castan
2016, p. 118). Unfortunately, research on military history often
focuses on technology and tactics, but forgets the ugly sides of
war and sometimes takes overly-positive accounts written by
involved individuals for granted. Castan 2016 is a rare exception
when he de-constructs the legends about the “red Baron”.
Although Castan sometimes makes psychological assumptions
without further backing, he also presents facts that make it
impossible to continue seeing the “red Baron” as a hero.
*
Castan 2016, p. 216.
**
This introduction and the other parts of the manual were
written by Mario Donick, who has a PhD in Communication
Studies. Since 2013, he's doing research on the affirmation of
military legends in video games and simulations.
1
2
Stephane Buon
Aerobask, director**
6
Part II: Aircraft Description & Instructions
Installation & Settings
Requirements
The Aerobask Dr.I uses HD textures: Interior, fuselage
and wing textures as well as normal maps are in
4096x4096 resolution. With “extreme” texture settings
and HDR “on” in a sparse scenery the aircraft alone
needs about 900 MB. A 2 GB video card is therefore
the minimum requirement even for flying in rural areas.
If you video card is low on memory, you can use the
optional low-resolution liveries provided.
Installation
Extract the downloaded zip file into the “Aircrafts” folder
within your “X-Plane 10” folder, for example:
X-Plane 10/Aircrafts/Fighters/Aerobask Fokker Dr.I
Settings
Texture Resolution
Texture memory shortage may lead to low FPS. You
have to reduce the texture resolution to “very high” or
even “high” if frame rates are too low.
For better control during landings, please assign a key
or button to the Dr.1's blip switch, to easily cut off the
engine during approach. Its custom command is:
aerobask/BlipSwitch toggle
If you want to use the guns, you have to assign a button
to X-Plane's “Fire Guns” command. Refer to the X-Plane
manual for more information on button/key assignments.
Total Used Texture Memory
8
Aerobask
Aircraft Dimensions
2.95 m
7.19 m
5.77 m
9
Aerobask
Aircraft Specifications
Aircraft Type:
Manufacturer:
Designation:
Introduced:
Number Built:
Length:
Height:
Photo: Wikipedia
Engine
General
Single seat triplane fighter
Fokker Flugzeugwerke mbH, Schwerin
Fokker V5 (Military: Fokker Dr. I)
August 1917
320
18' 11" / 5,770 mm
9' 8" / 2,950 mm
Wingspans
Top Wing:
Middle Wing:
Lower Wing:
Wing Chord:
Wingarea:
23' 7" / 7,190 mm
20' 5" / 6,225 mm
18' 9" / 5,725 mm
3' 3" / 1,000 mm
200.9 Sq Ft / 18.66 Sq m
Weights
Empty Weight:
Gross Weight:
895.00 lbs / 405.00Kg
1295.00 lbs / 587.00Kg
Engine Type:
Oberursel UR II (copy of the LeRhône)
Ignition:
Magneto (Bosch ZH6)
Lubrication:
Castor oil, total loss
Horsepower:
110 hp (82 kw)
Cylinders:
9 Cylinders
RPMs:
1,200 RPM
Bore:
124 mm
Stroke:
170 mm
Displacement:
955 in³
Cooling:
Air-cooled
Weight:
330 lb (149 kg)
Fuel Tank:
18 Gallons
Fuel Consumption: 46 Liters/hr
Oil tank:
13 Liters (only 10 liters can be used)
Oil Consumption: 6 Liters/hr
Engine Gauges: RPM indicator, Fuel gauge, Oil Pulsator
10
Upper Instruments
The picture below shows the default view (1920x1080
screen, FOV 90°). Due to the pilot seat's position, the
view is focused on the guns.
●
●
●
The gun master switch arms the guns; it needs to
be fully forward if you want to fire the guns.
The fuel gauge indicates remaining fuel.
The anemometer shows airspeed in km per hour.
Multiply the designated value by 10 to get the
actual value!
Anemometer
(Airspeed in km/h)
Fuel
Gun Master Switch
11
Lower Instruments
The following instruments are available in the lower part
of the cockpit:
●
The RPM gauge shows the engine speed.
●
The blip switch cuts off the engine during landing.
●
The altimeter shows your altitude in kilometers.
●
The fuel tap opens and cut offs fuel.
●
The fire button is used to fire the guns (if armed).
●
The magnetos are used for engine startup.
●
●
The oil pulsator shows if your engine still has oil.
Check level during flight! Land before it is low!
The compass shows your current direction.
Mixture
Throttle
RPM Fire Button
Control Stick
Magneto
Switch
Blip Switch
Throttle
Oil Pulsator
Fuel Tap
Starting
Magneto
Compass
12
Altimeter (in km)
On-Screen Menu
The Aerobask Dr.I includes an on-screen menu with
several options. First, click the “A” icon on the lower left
side of the screen to show icons for options, propeller,
and compass popup. Then click on the desired icon.
Options Popup
●
Select game mode. In arcade mode, the aircraft
can be trimmed and engines won't fail.
●
Switch music playback on and off.
●
Remove or put on the motor casing.
●
Select red, green or no recognition lights (not
historic; used for better awareness in multiplayer).
Propeller Popup
The propeller popup shows a picture of your aircraft's
propeller.
To start the engine, first prepare the cockpit (see next
page), then open the propeller popup and click & hold
the propeller image. Within a few seconds, the engine
will spool up and the propeller will turn.
Compass Popup
The compass popup shows an easy-to-read version of
the compass found in the cockpit (see previous page).
13
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Starting up the Dr.I from cold & dark, as well as shutting
down the engine after a landing, is very easy, once you
know where to find the various switches and gauges.
Startup
●
Open the fuel tap by turning it to the left.
●
Set the starting magneto to the right.
●
Push the mixture lever fully forward.
●
Set the magnetos to “both” position.
●
Move the throttle lever slightly forward.
●
Show the propeller popup (see previous page) and
click & hold the propeller image to start the engine.
Shutdown
●
Pull the throttle lever fully back.
●
Pull the mixture lever fully back.
14
Takeoff & Landing
Takeoffs and landings in the Dr.I are part of the
challenge – and the fun. Even real pilots sometimes had
problems with both. So you may want to consider the
following hints.
Takeoff
●
●
●
●
Landing
Like a real pilot and in any taildragger, taxiing and
takeoff rolls require you to look to the forward-left
and forward-right, because your center view is
obstructed by aircraft pitch angle, guns, and wings).
As this is a bit difficult in a simulator, we have predefined quick views 1 and 2 for this (quick view 0
returns to the main view). In X-Plane pressing a key
on the numpad will switch to the related quick view.
●
●
To take-off, first remove the wooden board from
your wheels by pressing the b key. Push the throttle
fully forward. While accelerating, gently push the
control stick to put the aircraft straight and level. Be
careful of balance and prop strike – do not push too
fast or too hard!
●
●
Be prepared for rather strong torque when running
the engine at full rpm. Counteract by maintaining
stick and rudder a bit to the left. Keep in mind that
the gyroscope effect is modelled, so the aircraft
descends when you roll to the right and climbs
when you roll to the left.
●
Take-off at 70 km/h. Please note that you need to
multiply the anemometer gauge's values by 10 to
get your actual speed.
15
Preferably use a grass runway for landing.
At idle throttle, the engine still maintains 700 to 800
RPM. This is too much for slowing down the aircraft.
You need to press the blip switch to cut off the
engine during approach. This switch cuts the spark
and thereby turns off the engine in flight. When you
press the switch again, the engine will hopefully
restart.
Landing speed is approximately 60 km/h.
After touchdown, pull the control stick back to get
the tail on the ground and to slow down. Do not
push the yoke forward!
Please note that the plane consumes oil,
approximately 6 liters per hour. The oil level drops
when the engine is running. To avoid engine failure,
regularly check the oil level with the oil pulsator.
Land the aircraft before you run out of oil.
Part III: Air Combat in the Fokker Dr.I
Air Combat in X-Plane 10
X-Plane 10 offers rudimentary air combat possibilities. You
can setup AI aircraft and designate different teams (up to
four, distinguished by colors). One team's aircraft will flee
or follow (if armed properly, see below) aircraft of the
other teams.
Getting and Arming AI Aircraft
Although you can load every aircraft as AI aircraft, this is a
waste of resources and may lead to bad FPS. Instead, we
suggest to download simple freeware aircraft. They are not
so beautiful to look at, but during dogfights you won't see
them anyway for more than a few seconds. Typical
opponents of the Germans in World War I were the
Sopwith Camel and the Sopwith Strutter. Install them like
any other aircraft.
By default, other aircraft won't shoot at you, because the
AI only fires air-to-air missiles, which are only available in
modern jets. If you want an aggressive AI, get Chris Noe's
free AI Combat Package. It includes fake missiles usable by
any aircraft. Use PlaneMaker to install them in your AI
aircraft. The drawback of this method is that the AI only
gets a few shots until all missiles are used.
Setting up Teams in X-Plane
From the “Aircraft” menu, open “Aircraft & Situations”.
Select “Other Aircraft” and increase the number of aircraft.
Click on the square on the beginning of each entry to load
a model. Assign teams by clicking the colored checkboxes.
Set the skill level to “very hard”. Check “save all craft in
preferences”, then close the window.
17
Using the Dr.I in Multiplayer
As the X-Plane AI is not very clever and can only shoot
with fake missiles, a realistic dogfight challenge is only
possible in multiplayer. X-Plane multiplayer works by
creating a TCP/IP connection in the network settings.
The following requirements need to be met by all
participating players:
1) All players need to use the same X-Plane version.
The Dr.I requires at least X-Plane 10.45.
2) The Dr.I needs to be installed in the same folder for
all players. It's best to use the default “General
Aviation” folder if you want to use multiplayer. Even
if your opponents don't fly the Dr.I, but for example
a Sopwith Camel, they still need the Dr.I to see you.
3) In addition, all players need to use the same
scenery.
4) Each player's router needs to be configured to
allow communication over port 49000.
5) In X-Plane's network settings, each player needs to
enter the IP addresses of each other player. You can
check your IP at http://whatismyipaddress.com/.
Ip address of
other player
Port to use for
communication
In X-Plane, it is even harder to spot other aircraft than in
reality. If all players use the Dr.I, you can switch on
optional recognition lights. These lights are not historic,
but help to recognize each other in X-Plane. The Dr.I
offers either a red or a green light, so you can easily set
up teams. Lights are switched on in the options menu, as
described on page 13 of this manual.
Click to cycle
recognition light
(off, red, green)
18
Basic Fighter Tactics
Nowadays, aerial combat tactics can almost be
considered a science, based on a century of
experiences. One famous book on the topic is “Fighter
Combat. Tactics and Maneuvering” by Robert L. Shaw.1
It is a great read if you are interested in in-depth
information on the topic. In the Dr.I's time, however,
many of today's experiences still had to be gained.
The Dicta Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke (1891–1916)
In World War I, German pilots were trained using some
basic guidelines2 developed by the first German flying
“ace”, Oswald Boelcke:
1
2
Photo: Wikipedia
1) Try to secure advantages before attacking. If
possible, keep the sun behind you.
2) Always carry through an attack when you have
started it.
3) Fire only at close range and only when your
opponent is properly in your sights.
4) Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never
let yourself be deceived by ruses.
5) In any form of attack it is essential to assail your
opponent from behind.
6) If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade
his onslaught, but fly to meet it.
7) When over the enemy's lines never forget your own
line of retreat.
8) Attack on principle in groups of four or six. When
the fight breaks up into a series of single combats,
take care that several comrades do not go for one
opponent.
Shaw, Robert L.: Fighter Combat. Tactics and Maneuvering. Annapolis 1987.
Ibid., pp. 274–275.
19
Common Maneuvers
When you read books on fighter combat or browse the
Internet, you will notice a lot of different maneuvers
performed in air combat. However, when the real Fokker
Dr.I was actively used, only a few maneuvers were
known; many others were developed in World War II.
Immelmann Turn
Historic Illustration of the Immelmann Turn
Picture: Wikipedia
The Immelmann turn was named after Max Immelmann
(1890–1916). It was used after a dive attack to reposition the attacker's aircraft above the opponent again
for a new dive attack. The attacker climbs past the
opponent, losing a lot of speed. Shortly before stalling
he yaws the aircraft around using his rudder, thereby
facing down towards the opponent. The WW I
Immelmann turn is nowadays known as wingover and
not to be confused with today's aerobatics Immelmann
maneuver.
Chandelle
Historic Illustration of the Chandelle
Picture: FlyRetired
In a Chandelle ('candle'), flown by French fighter pilots
in WW I, a turn is combined with a climb. Back then the
intended heading changes were based on the combat
situation. Maximum speed was built up before initiating
the roll and pitching up the aircraft's nose. Nowadays
the Chandelle is a precision flying maneuver defined
with a 180° heading change.
20
Barrel Roll
A classic barrel roll was used to slow down one's own
aircraft without losing altitude. As an attacker who is
flying behind the opponent this can help to prevent an
overshoot. As defender, the barrel roll may force an
attacker behind to overshoot.
Historic Illustration of the Barrel Roll
Split-S
While in the Immelmann altitude is gained by sacrificing
speed, the Split-S exchanges altitude for speed. The
Split-S is therefore used for leaving combat situations
when higher speeds become more important. The nose
of the aircraft is pointed down for a half-loop, after
which the aircraft is levelled. Nowadays the aircraft is
rolled by 180° before initiating the Split-S, because then
the G effects are much weaker.
Pictures (2): FlyRetired
Historic Illustration of the Split-S
21
Credits
Aircraft Design and Programming:
Stephane Buon (modelling, texturing, liveries, programming)
Lionel Zamouth (programming)
Cameron Garner – X-Aerodynamics (flight model)
User Manual
Mario Donick (Text, Design, Historical background)
Walker Guthrie – vFlyteAir (Proofreading)
Beta testers:
Jean-Baptiste, Claude, Tony, Bernard, Jean-François
This manual is for flight simulation only.
Do not use for real flight!
Manual version 1.0