Fokker Eindecker Compendium 1 & Compendium 2
By Jim Schubert
Author: Josef Scott
Publisher: Albatros Productions, Ltd., UK, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-90698-22-2 & 978-1-90698-23-9
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 60 each
With the publication in June 2012 of these compendia we now have the equivalent of four Windsock DataFiles on the Fokker Eindecker. The first, DataFile No. 15, on the E.III, of 32 pages was published in 1989; the second, No. 91, on the E.I and E.II of 36 pages was published in 2002; these earlier volumes were written by P. M. Grosz. Do these two new volumes add anything of substance to the contents of those earlier DataFiles? Well, yes: they have more and better photos for your reference. They also offer more color and they are better printed on better paper stock than their predecessors. They are available from the Publisher at ₤23.00 each ($37.00) plus postage.
Fokker Eindecker Compendium 1 covers, in excellent detail, the Fokker monoplanes leading up to the M.5K/L; the "K" indicating a short (Kurz) wing and the "L" indicating a long (Lang) wing. When a machine gun was added the designation became M.5K/MG also known as the E.I; this variation had a seven-cylinder, 80 hp Oberursel rotary engine. Compendium 1 also covers in good detail the types, from the A.I, which led up to the E.I.
The E.I with a longer wing and a nine-cylinder, 100 hp, Oberursel, rotary engine became the M.5L/MG or E.II with which Compendium 2 starts it then takes us up through the E.III to the two, sometimes three, gunned E.IV. I know of only five model kits, at this writing, of the Eindecker; they are all of the E.II/E.III. The E.III was the most produced with a total of about 300 being built for all customers. The kits are: Revell and Eduard's kits in 1/72; the ancient Aurora 1/48 kit and the 1994 and 2009 Eduard 1/48 issues. The list of references in my review of the two Eduard 1/48 Fokker Eindecker kits is quite good, to which must now be added these two compendia.
Surprisingly, considering how iconic of WWI aviation the Eindecker is, Wingnut Wings have not yet produced a kit in 1/32; I suspect it's coming.
Albatros Productions have given us two beautiful new references to replace their earlier DataFiles No, 15 and 91 covering the same material. Both DataFiles are now out of print but remain available in the used-book market.
The one big thing that, I think, is missing in all four of these Windsock volumes is a clear tabulation of the sequence and equivalents of the various M, A and E designations for these monoplanes from the earliest unarmed two-seater scouts to the two/three gunned single seaters.
These are two great, but dear, reference volumes.
My thanks to Albatros Productions for providing the review copies. Visit their website for ordering details.