Freeware Reviews

From that creator of fine freeware, Kazunori Ito, comes this rendition of the Fokker G.1 Mercury. If you ask me, the flight sim community is really lucky to have folks like Kazunori Ito out there pumping these aircraft out like they do! If you don't know his name by now, and you've been downloading freeware aircraft, then you must not be reading any of the text files! This guy has got so many models out there that I'm wondering if he makes real aircraft for a living! His model of the Fokker G.1 is once again a fine freeware find! As many of his aircraft that I have, I still am surprised at the amount of detail that gets applied to these models! Something else I want to add here is that his generosity with his creations is to be commended, as are all of you out there who FREELY contribute to this great hobby of ours! You just won't find words like, "limited distribution" in his readme files. I've checked! So thanks for all your efforts and generosity, Kazunori and all you other freeware developers out there!

At the 1936 Paris Air Show, the Fokker G.1 caused quite the stir. Even though there was not a flying exhibition at the show in those days, as it sat in the static display in the Grand Palais, the eyes were on it, for it was a revolutionary concept in aircraft design at the time, being a twin-boomed and twin-engine heavy fighter. Lockheed adopted this design for the P38, which is not surprising, as it is almost identical. I'm sure this plane would attract attention, even today!

After the show, the G.1 was ready for its maiden flight. It was transported to the show, and then off to Eindhoven / Welschap airfield. It must have taken them some time to get it there, for the maiden flight took place on March 16, 1937. At the time of its first flight, the power behind the machine was two 750 hp (559 kW) Hispano-Suiza 80-82 counter rotating engines. Problems with these variations led to the installation

of two Pratt and Whitney SB4-G Twin Wasp Juniors. This change over was performed during the necessary reconstruction of the aircraft after it had brake failure and rammed into a hanger at Schiphol in July of 1937.

Demonstrations of the Fokker G.1 were well received by the Netherlands Army Air Corps and resulted in the order of 36 of the aircraft, with the stipulation that they be powered by the Bristol Mercury VIII engines. This was done in order to facilitate the spares situation, as the engines were also on order for their T.V Bomber (no, not an aircraft that goes after bad television programming!) and the D. XXI fighter. The decision to outfit the aircraft with different engines once again caused a delay, and the aircraft were finally delivered to the Netherlands in July of 1939.

Other countries were interested in the G.1 also, with orders being placed by Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Republican Spain, while a license to produce agreement was in the works with Hungary and Denmark. The Dutch embargo on weapons exports stopped the shipment to Spain, and the Finnish order was under way when war broke out, thus ending the big sale there and any hopes of a summer home retreat for the salesman! That guy must have wanted that second home real bad, for a contract was finally drawn up with Finland to permit the export of the aircraft.

When Germany attacked the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, 23 G.1's were in service and were successful in downing numerous Junkers Ju 52's, but by the fifth day of hostilities when Dutch resistance ended, only a single aircraft remained airworthy. The Germans occupied the factory and used the G.1 as a fighter trainer. Test flights were always under close supervision, but in May of 1941, two Dutch pilots were able to elude a German flown escort G.1, and made it safely to England, where it was studied.

A total of 62 G.1's were built, with none surviving the war.

The detail of the model is fantastic! Detail can be seen in the engines, exterior surfaces, control surfaces, paint, and shine. The cockpit is basic, instruments readable, and although I didn't see a button for it, the GPS can be accessed with a push of the Shift+2 keys. flight dynamics are those of a fast, slightly larger than normal fighter aircraft. Barrel rolls are quite easy to do! This model was made with FSDS v2, from Abacus. I'll be doing a review on this great utility soon! My work is a far cry from what these guys are doing, but watch your six! I'm learning fast!

This Freeware aircraft gets a fiver for sure! We're talking great looks, aerodynamics, and a fun aircraft to fly. Thanks again Kazunori Ito, for such great freeware aircraft to fly and enjoy. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, we appreciate it!!!