A-17 (Douglas Model 8)

The complete history of the Northrop attack planes and its export derivatives

The Northrop Corporation offered the single engined Gamma 2F attack plane to the US Army Air Corps in October 1934. After modification work this type evolved into the highly innovative A-17 attack aircraft of which 110 aircraft were ordered. Northrop integrated all modern aircraft technologies of the day, such as all metal monococque construction, two pitch propeller, flaps and dive brakes in...

The CW-21 was designed during the late 1930s. It combined light weight construction with a powerful engine, which resulted in an excellent rate of climb and manoeuvrability, allowing the fighter to quickly reach the height of attacking enemy aircraft, and attack them. The prototype was sent to China as a demonstration copy and an order for three aircraft, plus a further 32 as kits, followed. These would be assembled locally. Only the three production machines arrived in the chaos of war and w...

Designed in 1933, the elegant looking Fokker C.X was outdated from the start. The type was intended as strategic reconnaissance plane, but was not suited for this task. More modern, twin engined types had claimed this specialised role. Instead, the biplane served well as short range scout and light bomber. The C.X is a little known member of the Dutch Fokker stable. Just like the D.XXI this biplane served in the airforces of two little neutral countries on the eve of world war two. Both fough...

When Hungary got involved in the second world war, the WM-21 Sólyom (Falcon) was the only Hungarian designed and manufactured plane in service with the Hungarian Royal Airforce. It was in widespread service as reconnaissance plane starting from 1938 onwards. In June of 1941, the machines failed to make in impression, mainly because of accidents and technical issues. The planes were diverted to the training role and were still used as such by May 1945.

The Sólyom story starts in 1927, with t...

The sturdy Fokker C.XIw was designed and built for service in the Royal Netherlands Navy. Development started in early 1934. The biplane scout was the first Dutch aircraft which could be catapult launched. At that time, a new flagship for the Netherlands East Indies Squadron was under construction and would receive a Heinkel K 8 catapult. Fifteen aircraft were ordered and served as long-range reconnaissance for the fleet from 1936 to 1942.

It was mainly operated in the Netherlands Indies and...