Photograph:
Koolhoven Fk.41 VH-ULX (c/n 4103) in Sydney, NSW in 1929 (Frank Walters collection – AHSA NSW)
Country of origin:
The Netherlands
Description:
Light sport and touring monoplane
Power Plant:
One 97 kw (130 hp) de Havilland Gipsy Major I four-cylinder in-line air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.90 m (35 ft 9 in)
- Length: 7.90 m (25 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 17.70 m² (191 sq ft)
- Max speed: 202 km/h (125 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
- Stalling speed: 75 km/h (46 mph)
- Service ceiling: 5,200 m (17,060 ft)
- Rate of climb: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Range: 800 km (497 miles)
- Empty weight: 536 kg (1,182 lb)
- Loaded weight: 836 kg (1,843 lb)
History:
In 1920 Frits Koolhoven returned to The Netherlands from the United Kingdom, became designer for the Nationale Vliegtuig Industrie formed in The Hague, and commenced designing a series of light aircraft. One series of designs related to a two-seat trainer (FK.32), a three-engine transport (FK.33), and a three-seat reconnaissance floatplane (FK.34). Shortly after this he formed his own company and designed a three-seat light cabin touring monoplane (FK.41) aimed at the sport and touring market.
The prototype (H-NAER) made its first flight in July 1928 and subsequently it was built in two models, the Mk I with a 78 kw (105 hp) Cirrus Hermes engine, and the Mk II with a 97 kw (130 hp) de Havilland Gipsy I. Later both models, with some modifications, were licence-built in the United Kingdom as the Desoutter I and II.
One example was imported to Australia VH-ULX (c/n 4103 – ex G-AALI) by Mr F M Terry of Sydney, being registered on 17 September 1929 and it was fitted with a 71 kw (95 hp) Cirrus III engine. It thereafter had a number of owners, including A W Gregory Aircraft Company of Sydney; Mr A J Ritchie who traded as Air Cars Ltd of Croydon, NSW in January 1930; Mr C E Murrell of Sydney on 17 December 1934; Mr W T Fountain of Mudgee, NSW in 1936; and Mr W P Milligan of Sydney on 11 December 1936.
On 24 December 1936 it overturned whilst landing on a beach at Brunswick Heads, NSW. It was repaired and spent most of its later life in western NSW and western Queensland. Stories abound of the aircraft making trips around the country, landing on beaches, in paddocks, showgrounds etc; and spare fabric and aeroplane dope were always carried so that running repairs could be made should a cow tear a wing with its horns etc. It was written off after a crash at Condoblin, NSW on 10 November 1937.