The Fokker D.XXIII was an unusual twin-engine, twin-boom aircraft,
mounting both engines in the fuselage in pusher and puller
configuration (in some ways resembling the much later Cessna 336 more
than the Dornier Do 335). One of the benefits of such a configuration
is that, unlike a more conventional twin-engine plane, loss of one
engine does not significantly affect handling (when a twin-engine plane
loses an engine, it tends to pull in the direction of the lost engine).
Additionally, such a configuration is somewhat easier for a pilot used
to single-engine planes to adjust to. On the other hand, the pusher
propellor made a bail-out by the pilot a potentially lethal event.
Research was started on an ejection seat but came to nothing.
The plane first flew in May 1939. Due to several problems, mostly
involving difficulty cooling the rear
engine, the plane flew for only 4 hours before the Germans invaded a
year later and nothing more was seen of the D.XXIII.
The D.XXIII burns 35.6 gallons of fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Medium Fighter chassis +3, Light Fighter Wings
+2, three retractable wheels +0.
Powertrain: 2x395-kW aerial HP gas engines with 2x395-kW props
and
75-gallon self-sealing tank [Body and Wings]
Occupancy: 1 CS. Cargo: 8.5 Body, 0.5 Wings
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| All | 2/3 |
2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Pilot | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/+30 | 0/0 | 0/+30 |
Weaponry
2xAircraft LMG/7.92mm FN-Browning [Wings:F] (500 each)
*
2xLong Aircraft HMG/13.2mm FN-Browning [Wings:F] (300 each) **
* link fires both
** link fires both
Additional link fires all four MGs together.
Equipment
Body: Medium range radio transmitter and receiver, navigation
instruments, autopilot..
Statistics
| Size: 33'x38'x12' | Payload : 0.43 tons | Lwt: 3.25 tons |
| Volume: 224 | Maint.: 44 hours | Price: $21.100 |
HT: 12.
HP: 240 [body], 140 [each wing], 24 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 326 | aAccel: 7 | aDecel: 30 |
aMR: 7.75 | aSR: 2 |
Design Notes
Design aSpeed is 315 mph; the historical speed, as well as actual wing
area (199 sf), has been used. Chassis and wing weight, (as well as cost
and HP) were doubled to better match historicl weight. Design weight
still had to be increased by 10%. The empty space in the design should
mostly be ignored.
Pilots with Pilot (Single-Engine Prop) should only be at -2 to fly
the D.XXIII, rather than the normal -4.
Variants
Had the D.XXIII entered production, it probably would have added more
powerful engines and a provision for underwing bombs. One possible
upgrade is a pair of 452-kW supercharged HP engines (consuming 45.2
gph), providing a top speed of 348 mph,. A single 220-lb bomb could be
carried under each wing (-8 mph with both loaded). Cost rises to
$34,300.