Fieseler Fi 2
Encyclopedia
The Fieseler Fi 2, better known as the F2 Tiger (the name which adorned the plane itself), was a German
aerobatic biplane
which was flown to victory in the 1934 World Aerobatics Competition (WAC) by the German aerobatics star, Gerhard Fieseler
. Fieseler was a World War I
German fighter ace
with almost 20 kills to his credit. The 1934 World Aerobatics Competition held in Paris
was the first of its kind, and, despite the deaths of two pilots and a few crashes, the competition continued and Fieseler won, although he went over the time limit due to a loose harness
. However, he was still awarded the win, beating his nearest competitor, Michel Detroyat of France
(who flew an M.S.225
), by 23 points (645.2 to 622.9). Fieseler retired from the sport with his victory.
The F2 Tiger itself would form the basis for later planes, including the Fieseler F5
. It was built by Fieseler's own aircraft company, Fieseler Flugzeugbau
(later, Gerhard Fieseler Werke
). The Fi 2 served as both an important forerunner of later German aircraft (which would go on to fight for the Third Reich in WWII
, and as a famous piece of inter-war aircraft design, as well as being the winning aircraft of the first WAC.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
aerobatic biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
which was flown to victory in the 1934 World Aerobatics Competition (WAC) by the German aerobatics star, Gerhard Fieseler
Gerhard Fieseler
Gerhard Fieseler was a German World War I flying ace, aerobatics champion, and aircraft designer and manufacturer....
. Fieseler was a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
German fighter ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
with almost 20 kills to his credit. The 1934 World Aerobatics Competition held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
was the first of its kind, and, despite the deaths of two pilots and a few crashes, the competition continued and Fieseler won, although he went over the time limit due to a loose harness
Seat belt
A seat belt or seatbelt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop...
. However, he was still awarded the win, beating his nearest competitor, Michel Detroyat of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(who flew an M.S.225
Morane-Saulnier M.S.225
-See also:-References:*Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York:Smithmark, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.-External links:* * *...
), by 23 points (645.2 to 622.9). Fieseler retired from the sport with his victory.
The F2 Tiger itself would form the basis for later planes, including the Fieseler F5
Fieseler Fi 5
-See also:-References:* . Flight, 2 November 1933, p. 1100....
. It was built by Fieseler's own aircraft company, Fieseler Flugzeugbau
Fieseler
The Gerhard Fieseler Werke was a German aircraft manufacturer of the 1930s and 40s. The company is remembered mostly for its military aircraft built for the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.-History:...
(later, Gerhard Fieseler Werke
Fieseler
The Gerhard Fieseler Werke was a German aircraft manufacturer of the 1930s and 40s. The company is remembered mostly for its military aircraft built for the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.-History:...
). The Fi 2 served as both an important forerunner of later German aircraft (which would go on to fight for the Third Reich in WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and as a famous piece of inter-war aircraft design, as well as being the winning aircraft of the first WAC.
See also
- List of aircraft of the WW2 Luftwaffe
- Aerobatics