World War One Aircraft »

Another Fokker Eindecker At Omaka

The third of four full scale Fokker Eindecker aircraft in New Zealand has recently been seen on the display line at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim, New Zealand. This remarkably accurate World War One reproduction aircraft was built in Germany by Achim Engels, and for a number of years was part of the collection at The Australian Vintage Aircraft Society in Caboolture (Queensland). Recently the aircraft has taken up residence at Omaka, and it is expected to fly once more at some point in 2024.


Click to view video

This Fokker Eindecker is finished in a beige colour scheme which is in contrast to the grey scheme of the airworthy Eindecker of The Vintage Aviator collection (photo below). The general consensus is that most Eindeckers were finished in either the beige (simple doped linen) or grey schemes, though other colours were used, including a red/brown tint for one aircraft operated by Turkey. 
Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

Click To View: The Fokker E.III Eindecker of The Vintage Aviator Collection has a remarkably short take-off run -- likely a consequence of the relative power of the 100hp rotary engine and the lightweight welded steel fuselage.

The aircraft is still owned by Mr Engels, but was previously on long term loan to The Australian Vintage Aircraft Society (TAVAS) until 2030. However, now that TAVAS has ceased operating, the aircraft has been relocated to New Zealand for a few years before it will be returned to Germany. Two other Engels Fokker replicas, a D.VII and a D.VIII, are part of the same deal and are also currently based at Omaka Aerodrome under the stewardship of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.


The Eindecker was the first combat aircraft in service that had a forward facing machine gun firing bullets between the propellor blades, courtesy of the newly developed interrupter gear (so that bullets would not strike the prop blades).   Copyright © Historical Aviation Film Unit


While these two later Fokker aircraft have not been on display at Omaka since their arrival, the Eindecker has had a number of static engine runs, and in February 2024 was seen on public display during the Omaka Wings and Wheels event (as seen in the photos here). The Wings and Wheels event was blessed with great weather, and many local aviation enthusiasts were delighted to see the ever growing number of airworthy World War One aircraft on the field, including a rotary engine powered Sopwith Pup, and the recently restored Bristol Fighter F.2b replica.


An closeup view shows the number of wires that radiate from the central pylon on the fuselage, out to different portions of the wing, allowing the pilot to 'warp' the shape of the wing for directional control.   Copyright © Historical Aviation Film Unit


Currently this E.III is not airworthy, but it is expected it will fly again at some stage in 2024 after its engine, a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine replica built by Tony Wytenburg's Classic Aero Machining Services, has been overhauled and serviced.


This is now the second full size Eindecker at Omaka, with the first being the static (non-airworthy) example built by The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL) when the Knights Of The Sky exhibition was first opened in 2006. This aircraft is still on display at Omaka, and we recommend that if you're even vaguely interested in First World War aircraft, you should make a visit to the museum to see the impressive collection of full size WW1 aircraft on display.


The first full size Fokker Eindecker in New Zealand is the one that has been on display in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre since 2006.   Copyright © Historical Aviation Film Unit


In addition to an impressive collection of WW1 memorabilia, the OAHC's collection also includes a number of original WW1 aircraft such as the Thomas Morse biplane, a de Havilland DH.4, a Caproni Ca.22 and a Curtis MF Seagull flying boat, among others.



As well as building his own aircraft, Mr Engels was also commissioned by The Vintage Aviator Ltd to build several complete Fokker airframes, and their collection now includes two Fokker D.VIII's and a Fokker Eindecker also built by him. TVAL also has a a second Engels Eindecker which is well on the way to being completed, and it's expected that aircraft will also make its first flights some time in 2024.


The Vintage Aviator's first airworthy Eindecker, in its grey colour scheme, at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, New Zealand.   Copyright © Historical Aviation Film Unit



Share This Story :

Other Stories and Videos:

There's More Exclusive Content On Historical Machines TV

HMTV is our advert-free streaming video channel which features an awesome array of video and long form documentary material which is not available elsewhere. Sign up for a free trial and enjoy the significant and varied range of material we have on offer...

HMTV Free Trial  

Please consider subscribing to HMTV, or buy us a drink to support our historical (story and film) preservation endeavours.

Comment Form is loading comments...