three excellent views of the rare Fokker T. VIII in Luftwaffe service, here coded 'D1' of the Seeaufklärungsgruppe 126
The Fokker T.VIII-W was a twin-float twin-engined torpedo bomber and reconnaissance sea plane designed in 1937 for the Dutch Naval Air Service (Marine Luchtvaardienst, or MLD) which saw service in small numbers in both the Luftwaffe and the RAF during 1940. By the time of the German invasion of the Low Countries in May 1940 eleven had been delivered to the MLD and others were in various stages of construction on the Fokker production line.
These aircraft were eventually completed - despite a shortage of suitable propellers -although the Fokker works were largely given over to repair work on Ju 52s and DFS 230 glider construction. The T.VIII were known as T8W in the limited Luftwaffe service. The Finns had placed an order for two machines. In November 1940 it was reported that WNr. 5636 was damaged in a storm., dismantled and temporarily parked. WNr. 5637 underwent engine modifications.
The Luftwaffe ended up with twenty-five T.VIIIs, which they used on anti-shipping and reconnaissance patrols and for air-sea rescue over the North Sea and Mediterranean.
17.06.41 RM 6/191 - repainting of captured aircraft. According to decision of the F.L. Fü.Stab, aircraft of the type Fokker T.8-W are to be finished on the lower surfaces in yellow only.
On 28 June 1941 1./KüFlSt 706 had four Fokker T.8 floatplanes on strength.
05.08.41 1/KüFlSt 706 rejected Fokker T.8-W for frontline use. The aircraft were then 'offered' to Seeaufklärungsgruppe 126. All Fokker T.8s in supply and at 1./706, 8 in total, were assigned to 1./126 in Athens-Skaramanga.
A number of serviceable T.VIIIs escaped to France on the German invasion before eventually crossing the Channel where they equipped No.320 (Dutch) Squadron of Coastal Command.