Fokker F.VII Trimotor (American model 6)

Most Trimotors shipped to America were largely built in the Netherlands. They are included here because they were marketed as 'Fokker USA' and were given an American model number 6. The first three-engine 'improved F.VII' was converted specifically for America. It was purchased by Atlantic Aircraft Corporation along with an F.VII Liberty. Orders quickly followed after the Trimotor's participation in the Ford Reliability Tour in September 1925. Wilkins ordered an aircraft for his polar expedition, the fuselage frame of which was hastily shipped and completed in America. It became the first Trimotor with the large (later B) wing. However, the A and B versions were not distinguished in America. The Continental Motors factory also purchased a Trimotor. And in early 1926, three Trimotors were ordered, which opened an air route from Philadelphia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the United States' founding. Discussions about a military version had already begun. However, due to modifications, this version was given a separate model number 7.

Two of these early Trimotors became very famous. The prototype was purchased by Byrd, who flew it over the Arctic Circle. And the Trimotor with the large wing for Wilkins was later sold and became famous as the "Southern Cross," first by flying across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. And later, by completing the round-the-world flight via Europe to America.

The three Trimotors from Philadelphia soon found new owners. Four more Trimotors then came to America, one of which went to Western Canada Airways. Another originally went to Loewenstein, and a third was destined for Pan American Airways. The fourth had been ordered by Byrd for his South Pole flight and was delivered with Junkers floats. Due to Byrd's disagreement with Fokker, the aircraft was sold to Mrs. Guest, who designated it for the first transatlantic flight with a woman on board. As Friendship, it was the only F.VIIW/3m, and Amalia Earhart achieved her fame. This was the third American Trimotor to make a remarkable flight. Despite the limited number of aircraft of this type that flew to America, Fokker received considerable publicity for this.

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The prototype of the F.VII Trimotor shortly after arriving in America. Anthony Fokker stands next to the aircraft.
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2

F.VIIA-3m, with MSN 4900, was shipped from Holland to participate in the Ford Reliability Tour. The aircraft was given entry number 20. As always, Anthony Fokker was not shy about placing his name on his aircraft.
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The text in the photo speaks for itself, on the right are the signatures of Fokker and the passengers during the Ford Reliability tour.
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List of participants in the Ford Reliability Tour. Fokker's name is prominently displayed at the top left, along with the assigned race number, 20. Below Fokker's name, in small letters, is the designation that the aircraft is equipped with "Wright motors."
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3

Richard Byrd inspects his F.VII Trimotor at the Fokker factory.
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3a

The 'Jo Ford' after the overhaul and conversion of the prototype for Byrd at Teterboro Field.
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4

MSN 4900 in Richard Byrd's Polar Flight livery. Josephine Ford is an ode to Henry Ford's granddaughter. Anthony Fokker had contractually stipulated that his name would also be displayed in large letters on the aircraft during the Polar Flight.
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5

Byrd's F.VII Trimotor on Spitsbergen, now equipped with skis. The supplied version was inadequate, and Bernt Balchen helped to make good skis.
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Richard Byrd's F.VIIA-3m at the Henry Ford Museum, just outside Detroit in the USA.
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07

The three-engine F.VII Trimotor for Wilkins during completion at the American factory. A large fuel tank is located centrally in the fuselage.
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8

The first customer for the F.VIIB-3m, with MSN 4954, was Hubert Wilkins. The plan was to fly this aircraft from Alaska over the North Pole in 1926, but an accident with the aircraft prevented this from happening.
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9

The Trimotor photographed before its christening as 'Detroiter' in Fairbanks on March 11, 1926.
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The Detroiter had never flown before arriving in Alaska. His first flight there ended in a crash.
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In 1927, the Detroiter was fitted with wooden propellers and new engine plating for the second expedition.
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Wilkins brought Detroiter back to America after his failed expedition in 1927 and tried to sell it.
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After the aircraft was purchased by Australian Kingsford Smith, a new rudder was installed at Douglas. It already carried the civil registration 1985.
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After some experimentation, Boeing installed the final version of the rudder. The aircraft was named Southern Cross, after the constellation in the southern hemisphere.
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MSN 4954, here as Southern Cross with registration 1985, ready for the long-haul flight.
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The Southern Cross en route from the USA to Australia.
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On the flight from America to Australia, the Southern Cross made its first stop in Hawaii. This photo was taken just after landing.
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After arriving in Australia the aircraft was briefly registered as G-AUSU.
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19

In July 1930, the Southern Cross completed its flight around the world. Here's its arrival at Roosevelt Field, LI, NY, on June 26, 1930.
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20

The cockpit of the Southern Cross.
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The Southern Cross made, among other things, the first mail flight from Australia to New Zealand. Here's an impression of the engine repair over the open sea in May 1935.
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22

De Southern Cross in het Kingsford Smith Memorial.
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23

The Atlantic Aircraft Corporation factory building, circa March 1926. F.VII Trimotor, MSN 4955, has already been fitted with a wing. The fuselage frame next to it belongs to MSN 4956, later the PRT Vare. Note the cabin door of this aircraft, which is the only one that ends in a point at the top. In the foreground are fuselages for Model 7.
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24

The F.VII Trimotor, msn 4955, for CMC, before registrations were introduced. The aircraft crashed in July 1927 and was rebuilt with the wing of the Trimotor 'Chicago'.
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MSN 4955 then went to WAE where it was given registration C3908, based on the American MSN 602
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26

High-profile visitors attend the opening of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service. Anthony Fokker, left, with President Coolidge next to him in front of the "Vare."
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The Vare with msn 4956 ready for delivery with the factory at Teterboro Field in the background.
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One of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit aircraft resold to operate as "Voice of the Sky" for advertising flights. It is MSN 603, registration 3080, and is the former PRT "Vare."
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The Philadelphia Rapid Transit "Kendrick" at one of the new terminals for the overhead line. This aircraft was MSN 4980 and later received the American MSN 609.
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After the Kendrick was sold, it was registered as C1661 and entered service with Reynolds Aviation and later with the Plane Speaker Corp., where the photo is of.
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The third PRT aircraft was the 'Wilbur', which had msn 4981; here at the temporary terminal at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
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After the closure of the PRT air route, the Wilbur also entered service with Reynolds Airways and was then given the new MSN 610, later registered as 3085.
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33

Pan American Airways purchased several Trimotors. Here is the F.VII Trimotor, MSN 612, registration NC3314, for the Miami-Havana route.
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34

A proud pilot with a car and a plane of the latest type. The plane is the "General New" from PAA.
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The first F.VII Trimotor for Pan American Airways (msn 612). It was named "General New" after the director of the U.S. Post Office. The cabin windows shown are incorrect.
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36

MSN 612 eventually ended up in the Netherlands for an ocean flight that didn't take place. The German owner, Adrian, had the registration PH-APA reserved for this purpose.
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After several years in storage and overhaul at Aviolanda, the aircraft was destined for Spain, but that didn't happen due to the owner's death. Van Tol eventually became the owner, and the aircraft was used for advertising flights with neon lights under the wing as PH-TOL.
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38

The F.VII Trimotor, MSN 614, for Loewenstein, who sold the aircraft to New York Airways after a month. It is an F.VIIB, but that distinction based on wing type wasn't applied in America.
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39

The MSN 614 in October 1928 but now in service with Pan American Airways as NC5192 in a tropical location.
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40

The later "Friendship" was being prepared for delivery at Teterboro Field. Diagonally behind it are a pair of Universals for Canada.
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40a

Work on the N-X4204 is underway at the swampy Teterboro factory field.
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41

The F.VIIB-3m-W Friendship with msn 5028 is launched after conversion to a floatplane.
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42

The Friendship in the air during a test flight. The tail skid has not yet been removed.
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43

Aviator Amelia Earhart in the door of the Friendship. To her dismay, her role was limited to passenger status.
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44

The landing of the 'Friendship' in Wales after the ocean flight. The crew thought they had landed in Ireland.
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The Friendship returned to the American Fokker factory in April 1929, prepared for a record flight from South America to Europe that never took place.
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The only F.VII Trimotor sold to Canada was the Dutch MSN 5104. The American MSN is unknown.
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Canadian F.VII Trimotor G-CASC on skis.
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Fokker F.VII Trimotor (American model 6)

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