View source for Fokker S.14 Machtrainer

{{Short description|1955 military training aircraft}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = S.14 Machtrainer
|image = File:FokkerS14.jpg
|caption = Machtrainer L-17
|type = Jet trainer
|manufacturer = [[Fokker]]
|national_origin= [[Netherlands]]
|designer =
|first_flight = 19 May 1951
|introduction = 1955
|retired = 1967
|status =
|primary_user = [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 21
|unit cost =
|variants =
}}
The '''Fokker S.14 Machtrainer''' is a two-seater military training [[jet aircraft]] designed and manufactured by the [[the Netherlands|Dutch]] aircraft manufacturer [[Fokker]] for the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] (RNLAF). It has the distinction of being one of the first dedicated [[jet trainer|jet-powered training]] aircraft to be produced in the world.<ref name="LetLetLet Fokker S.14">[http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/06/15/fokker-s-14-machtrainer/ "Fokker S.14."] ''letletlet-warplanes.com'', Retrieved: 15 September 2019.</ref>
Development started in the late 1940s at the behest of [[United Kingdom|British]] [[turbojet|engine]] manufacturer [[Rolls-Royce Ltd|Rolls-Royce]], who were seeking out a manufacturer to produce a new trainer aircraft powered by their [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Derwent]] [[turbojet]] engine. Fokker decided to design such an aircraft, designating it the S.14 Machtrainer. On 19 May 1951, the first [[prototype]] performed the type's [[maiden flight]]. Having secured an order from the RNLAF for 20 aircraft, the Machtrainer entered service with the service during 1955. It would be operated by the service until the last examples were retired in 1967.
Fokker initially had high sales hopes for the Machtrainer on the global trainer market, which included its [[licensed production|manufacture under license]] overseas. [[United States|American]] aircraft manufacturer [[Fairchild Aircraft|Fairchild]] was interested in producing the Machtrainer for the [[United States Air Force]], but failed to secure any orders itself. [[Brazil]] also negotiated for the local manufacture of 50 [[Rolls-Royce Nene]]-powered Machtrainers, but political changes derailed this effort as well. Various countries studied its adoption, however, the Machtrainer would ultimately not be adopted by any organisation other than the RNLAF.
==Development==
===Origins===
[[File:Fokker S.14 Machtrainer.jpg|thumb|right|Machtrainer L-11 on static display in a museum, June 2007]]
Following the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]], the nations of [[Europe]] began to recover and rebuild their national industries, Dutch aircraft manufacturer [[Fokker]] was no exception. While initial activities revolved around the refurbishment and building of foreign-designed aircraft, such as the [[Hawker Sea Fury]] and [[Gloster Meteor]], figures within the Dutch government and Fokker itself were keen to resume its own indigenous design activities as well. In particular, there was considerable interest in Fokker developing aircraft that would harness the newly available field of [[jet propulsion]].<ref name="LetLetLet Fokker S.14"/>
Likely having recognised that the increasing prevalence of jet-powered fighters would soon lead to existing [[reciprocating engine|piston-engined]] advanced trainers not possessing comparable performance,<ref name="Flight 49 p688">''Flight'' 24 November 1949, p. 688.</ref> during the late 1940s, Fokker commenced work on designing their own jet-engined advanced trainer, designated ''S.14 Machtrainer''. In 1949, aviation periodical [[Flight International]] observed the company's specification to have been "unique... a turbojet-powered advanced trainer, offering side-by-side seating of pupil and instructor, simplicity in maintenance and construction and an adequate all-round performance".<ref name="Flight 49 p687">''Flight'' 24 November 1949, p. 687.</ref>
According to aviation author Roland W. Harker, the notion of producing a Dutch jet trainer had originated from a speculative approach by [[United Kingdom|British]] [[turbojet|engine]] manufacturer [[Rolls-Royce Ltd|Rolls-Royce]] to Fokker with drawings for a [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Derwent]]-powered jet trainer. Allegedly, Rolls-Royce had feared losing out on engine sales upon the large and lucrative market for jet trainers, particularly to the [[de Havilland Goblin|Goblin]]-powered [[de Havilland Vampire]]; the company had previously been rebuffed after attempting to raise interest with British manufacturer [[Miles Aircraft]] in producing a Derwent-powered competitor, and thus decided to approach Fokker.<ref>Harker 1976, p. 96.</ref>
===Into flight===
On 19 May 1951, the first prototype, [[aircraft registration|registered]] ''PH-NDY'', conducted its [[maiden flight]]; it was powered by a single Derwent V engine. However, it received considerable damage later that day as a result of the [[landing gear|undercarriage]] having failed to extend during its second flight. The prototype was fully repaired and was subsequently displayed at the [[Paris Air Show]] later that year.<ref name="AE p53-4">Uijthoven 2003, pp. 53–54.</ref><ref name="Donald world p439">Donald 1997, p. 439.</ref> While the prototype and the production aircraft that followed it were largely similar, portions of the airframe were strengthened to cope with greater [[G-force]]s.<ref name="Flight 54 p71">Smith ''Flight'' 15 January 1954, p. 71.</ref>
The Royal Netherlands Air Force placed an order for 20 S.14s equipped with the more powerful [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Rolls-Royce Derwent 8]] engine.<ref name="LetLetLet Fokker S.14"/>{{#tag:ref|The Derwent 8, like the Derwent V, was based on a scaled-down [[Rolls-Royce Nene]] and not on earlier [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Derwent]]s. It was a centrifugal flow design with nine combustion chambers and a single-stage turbine, with air flow rate of 62.84&nbsp;lb/s (28.50&nbsp;kg/s) delivering a peak thrust of {{convert|1,630|kp|kN+lbf|order=flip|abbr=on}} at 14,700&nbsp;rpm.<ref name="luftfahrtmuseum.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmi/itf/rrderw8.htm |title=The Virtual Aviation Museum - Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 |access-date=25 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908035428/http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmi/itf/rrderw8.htm |archive-date=8 September 2008 }}</ref>|group=nb}} At one point, Fokker held great hopes for the Machtrainer's export prospects; the company held negotiations with [[Brazil]] on the topic of manufacturing 50 [[Rolls-Royce Nene]]-powered Machtrainers [[licensed production|under licence]].<ref name="AE p56">Uijthoven 2003, p. 56.</ref> In addition, the [[United States|American]] aircraft manufacturer [[Fairchild Aircraft|Fairchild]], which later also built the [[Fokker F-27|Fokker Friendship]] under license, sought to secure an order for the Machtrainer from the [[United States Air Force]].<ref name="AE p56-7"/> The first demonstrator sent to the USA was lost on October 20, 1955, when during a demonstration flight in Maryland, USA; the aircraft went into spin and crashed, killing the test pilot. Another S.14 was sent to the US and did demonstration flights in 1955 and 1956.<ref name=":2"/> The loss claimed the life of the test pilot [[:nl:Gerben Sonderman]], who had also flown the first flights of S-14 in 1951.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fokker S.14 Mach-Trainer - jet trainer |url=http://www.aviastar.org/air/holland/fokker_s-14.php |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.aviastar.org}}</ref> Sonderman was a famous Dutch pilot and resistance fighter from WW2, and also tested other Fokker produces such as the [[Fokker S-11]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=How Fokker built one of the most delightful post-war trainers |url=https://www.key.aero/article/how-fokker-built-one-most-delightful-post-war-trainers |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.key.aero |language=en}}</ref>
The S-14 was evaluated by many pilots, including Chuck Yeager and WW2 Aces, and there was considerible interest; it was widely praised as being easy and forgiving to fly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2010-02-03 |title=Fokker S-14 Machtrainer – Let Let Let – Warplanes |url=http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/06/15/fokker-s-14-machtrainer/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
To support the company's sales efforts, the first prototype was reengined with the Nene III powerplant, which was capable of producing up to {{convert|5100|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} thrust; it first flew in this configuration on 25 October 1953.<ref name="Flight 54 p68">Smith ''Flight'' 15 January 1954, p. 68.</ref> Flight testing found that the increased power of the Nene III enabled the Machtrainer to attain a higher maximum speed of {{convert|516|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Flight 54 p72"/> However, the Brazilian initiative ultimately came to naught, interest having evaporated following a change of government in Brazil. Fairchild also chose to abandon its production plans for the type. Although several other countries also tested the aircraft, orders did not materialize.<ref name="AE p56-7">Uijthoven 2003, pp. 56–57.</ref> Compared to other dedicated jet trainer designs of the same period such as the [[Fouga Magister]], the Machtrainer possessed higher operational costs.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}
The original prototype K-1 was further modified with more powerful Nene III engine, and test flown in 1953. In the 1960s it was further tested by the  Dutch National Aeronautical and Space Laboratory (''Lucht en Ruuimtevaart Laboratorium'') .<ref name=":0" />
==Design==
[[File:Fokker S.14 Machtrainer 2.jpg|thumb|right|Close-up view of a preserved Machtrainer. Note the nose air inlet for feeding air to the engine]]
The S.14 Machtrainer was a low-winged [[monoplane]]. Featuring all-metal construction, aside from the engine compartment, it was almost exclusively composed of lightweight [[alloy]]s.<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/> To accommodate a sizable cockpit, it possessed a fairly wide [[fuselage]]. The design and size of the wing reportedly allowed for the aircraft to land at much lower speeds than contemporary jet aircraft. A total of three [[pneumatics|pneumatically]]-actuated door-type [[air brake (aeronautics)|air brake]]s were fitted to the rear fuselage.<ref name="AE p52-3">Uijthoven 2003, pp. 52–53.</ref><ref name="Flight 49 p687"/> It was also provisioned with a retractable [[tricycle undercarriage]], which was also pneumatically operated; the main wheels were fitted with [[Dowty Group|Dowty]]-built [[shock absorber]]s. The main assemblies of the undercarriage retracted inwards into the wing's centre section, while the nosewheel retracted forwards into a recess under the nose.<ref name="Flight 49 p687-8">''Flight'' 24 November 1949, pp. 687–688.</ref>
In order to better facilitate its use as a trainer, the crew of two were seated in a side-by-side arrangement within a relatively spacious cockpit. There was actually enough room for a third crew member, although this capability would necessitate the deletion of the [[radio]] or [[radar]] equipment that could otherwise be installed in this location.<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/> Primary controls, such as the [[throttle]] and air brakes, were duplicated; many of the controls were positioned on a central pedestal. Both aircrew were provided with [[Martin-Baker]]-built Mk.2FK<ref name="IPMS">{{Cite web|url=https://ipms.nl/artikelen/nedmil-luchtvaart/vliegtuigen-f/vliegtuigen-f-fokker-s14|title=IPMS Nederland - Fokker S.14 Mach trainer|website=ipms.nl}}</ref> [[ejection seat]]s.<ref name="Flight 54 p69">Smith ''Flight'' 15 January 1954, p. 69.</ref> The slide hood of the [[canopy (aircraft)|canopy]] was jettisonable and operated electrically. The majority of the aircraft's electrical systems were installed directly beneath the cockpit and were accessible via multiple inspection panels; consumables such as [[Electric battery|batteries]] and [[oxygen]] canisters were also housed nearby.<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/>
The S.14 was powered by a single [[Rolls-Royce Derwent]] engine, accommodated in the centre of the fuselage, directly above the low-mounted wing and surrounded by [[steel]] walls, and separated from the cockpit by a [[fireproof]] [[bulkhead (partition)|bulkhead]].<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/> Air was supplied to the engine via two ducts that diverged sharply from a central circular inlet present in the nose of the aircraft. A lengthy jetpipe, carried upon [[trunnion]]s, was also used; it could be released and readily moved for maintenance inspections.<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/> Fuel tanks were housed within the central and outer sections of the wing; electrical booster pumps transferred fuel between the engine and the inner tanks, while air pressure alone was sufficient to move fuel from the outer tanks. The wing's centre sections were individually bolted onto the lower fuselage; the wing itself was [[Tapering (mathematics)|taper]]ed, covered in [[alclad]], and featured [[Flap (aeronautics)#Split flap|split-flap]]s along the centre of its [[trailing edge]].<ref name="Flight 49 p687"/>
The trainer was unarmed, but a gunpod with two 20&nbsp;mm canons was designed, the gunpod which fitted under the airplane was testflown as a mockup. In addition, it was also possible to put some hardpoints on the wings for attaching for example a bomb, but this was never done. The gunpod was featured as an option in the advertising literature<ref name=":1" />
==Operational history==
[[File:Fokker S.14 PH-XIV AMS 28.06.67 edited-3.jpg|thumb|The prototype Fokker S.14 wearing the markings of the Nationaal Luchtvaartlaboratorium (NLL) at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, in 1967, soon after its retirement|left]]
During October 1955, the Machtrainer entered service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force; deliveries of the type continued until November 1956. Only 19 of the 20 aircraft ordered by the RNLAF entered service, one being destroyed in a fatal crash in the [[United States]] while being used by Fokker as a demonstrator prior to delivery. The S.14 fleet was in use for over a decade, during which a second aircraft was lost in a fatal crash in 1964.<ref name="LetLetLet Fokker S.14"/><ref name="AE p54-6">Uijthoven 2003, pp. 54–56.</ref> The S.14 crashed near Heenvliet, Zeeland with the loss of two crew on May 28, 1964.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Forgotten Jets (& Props) - A Warbirds Resource Group Site |url=http://forgottenjets.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/S-14.html |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=forgottenjets.warbirdsresourcegroup.org}}</ref>
Of the original production run, two aircraft were lost in accidents; the remainder were scrapped in the years following their withdrawal during the late 1960s. Three still exist today including the original prototype (K-1, PH-XIV), which was operated by the [[Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre|Nationaal Luchtvaartlaboratorium]] (NLL), located at [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]], until retirement in March 1966.<ref>Dekker, 1987, p. 137.</ref> It was then displayed at the Aviodome museum at Schiphol before moving to the new [[Aviodrome]] museum at [[Lelystad Airport]] by 2003.
The production aircraft L-11 is preserved at the Dutch [[Nationaal Militair Museum|National Military Museum]] at the former [[Soesterberg Air Base]]. L-17 is undergoing renovation. There was a fourth, L-18, which was positioned besides one of the entrances at Fokker facility at [[Ypenburg Airport|Ypenburg]], but this aircraft was scrapped during 1994 at the same time as the site was being closed down.<ref name="LetLetLet Fokker S.14"/><ref name="AE p57">Uijthoven 2003, p. 57.</ref>
== Survivors ==
* The original K-1 prototype, later modified with a Nene three is at Aviodrome at Lelystad <ref name=":2" />
* L-11 is preserved at Royal Netherlands Air Force museum at Soesterberg<ref name=":2" />
* [[File:Fokker S-14 Aviodrome Lelystad.jpg|thumb|The S14 at the Aviodrom in Leylstad]]L-17 is preserved at KLu Historical Flight at Gilze-Rijen<ref name=":2" />
==Operators==
;{{NLD}}
* [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]
Netherlands air and space laboratory (NLR)
*K-1 Prototype 1960–1967
==Variants==
;S.14 Machtrainer: The main production variant powered by the [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Rolls-Royce Derwent 8]] turbojet; 21 built.
;S.14 Machtrainer II: The variant intended for export powered by the [[Rolls-Royce Nene|Rolls-Royce Nene III]] turbojet; 1 built.:
==Specifications==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''Twenty-One Worldbeaters''<ref name="AE p56"/>
|prime units?= met
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|crew= 2
|length m= 13.3
|length note=
|span m= 12
|span note=
|height m= 4.7
|height note=
|wing area sqm= 31.8
|wing area note=<ref name="Donald world p439"/>
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg= 3765
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg= 5350
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[Rolls-Royce Derwent|Rolls-Royce Derwent 8]]
|eng1 type= centrifugal flow [[turbojet]] engine
|eng1 kn= 15.35
|eng1 note=
<!--
Performance
-->
|max speed kmh= 730
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh= 589
|cruise speed note=<ref name="Flight 54 p72">Smith ''Flight'' 15 January 1954, p. 72.</ref>
|stall speed kmh= 142
|stall speed note=<ref name="Flight 54 p72"/>
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km= 950
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m= 11500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms= 16.3
|climb rate note=<ref name="Flight 54 p72"/>
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
|guns= 2× {{convert|20|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} [[autocannon]]s in a detachable [[gun pod]] mounted underneath the fuselage <ref name="IPMS"/>
|bombs= 4× {{convert|11.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}} training bombs
|avionics=
}}
==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Cessna T-37 Tweet]]
* [[Fiat G.80]]
* [[Fouga CM.170 Magister]]
* [[Fuji T-1]]
* [[Lockheed T-33]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=nb}}
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Dekker, Herman. ''The Complete Civil Aircraft Registers of the Netherlands since 1920''. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. 1987. {{ISBN|0-85130-139-8}}.
* Donald, David. ''The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft''. Leicester, UK: Blitz Editions, 1997. {{ISBN|1-85605-375-X}}.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%201921.html "Holland's Jet Trainer."] ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 24 November 1949, pp.&nbsp;687–688.
* Harker, Ronald W. "Rolls-Royce From the Wings 1925-1971." Oxford Illustrated Press, 1976. {{ISBN|0-902280 38 4}}.
* Hooftman, Hugo. "Van Brik tot Starfighter, Part 2." ''de schietstoel'', the Netherlands: La Rivière & Voorhoev, 1962.
* Marchand, Arno. "‘De Plank." ''De Vliegende Hollander,'' January 2007, pp.&nbsp;10–11.
* Schoenmaker, Wim. "De Fokker S-14 Machtrainer." ''Maandblad Luchtvaart No. 6,'' June 1988, pp.&nbsp;182–187.
* Sipkes, Lt. Col. C. et al. "Ervaringen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht met de Fokker-vliegtuigen S-11 en S-14." ''Report Koninklijke Luchtmacht,'' 20 November 1958.
* Smith, Maurice A. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200146.html "Fokker S.14 in the Air."] ''Flight'', 15 January 1954, pp.&nbsp;68–72.
* Uijthoven, René L. "Twenty-One Worldbeaters:Fokker's S.14 Machtrainer". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 103, January/February 2003, pp.&nbsp;52–57. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
{{Refend}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Fokker S.14 Machtrainer}}
* [http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/06/15/fokker-s-14-machtrainer/ LetLetLet Fokker S.14 article published June 2008]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012233256/http://www.scramble.nl/wiki/index.php?title=Fokker_S-14 Data at scramble.nl Wiki]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080609053832/http://www.mech.kuleuven.be/tme/museum/engines/jet/ Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 picture]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080908035428/http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmi/itf/rrderw8.htm Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 specifications]
* [http://aircraftwalkaround.hobbyvista.com/machtrainer2/machtrainer2.htm Gallery of a photo walk around of museum S14]
* [http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=Fokker%20S.14%20Machtrainer Gallery of preserved S.14 at aviation museums]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080705183411/http://www.aviation-top-pics.com/Aviodome%20move%20page%204.htm Aviodome S.14 prototype images]
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Fokker%20S-14%20Machtrainer&distinct_entry=true Gallery of various S.14 outside]
{{Fokker aircraft}}
[[Category:1950s Dutch military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Fokker aircraft|S14 Machtrainer]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1951]]