The Fokker Super Universal (Model 8)

This further development of the Universal became the greatest success of the American Fokker factory.

It was a long-running production type. A total of 80 were built in the United States (msn 801-880). The aircraft was also built under license in Canada and Japan.

When General Motors and Fokker parted ways, Anthony Fokker also received the license rights. It remains unclear whether any payments were ever made thereafter.

When production in Japan was illegally transferred to Manchukuo, Fokker was not informed.

The more powerful Wasp engine made it possible to build a somewhat larger aircraft with a cantilever wing and better performance.

It flew for airlines and airmail services, as well as for a number of businesses. In addition to the United States, the aircraft was used in considerable numbers in Canada, where it flew mainly on floats or skis in undeveloped areas.

Several Super Universals were also delivered to Japan. These were equipped with Bristol Jupiter engines.

The final deliveries were shipped to Japan as kits and assembled there.

There were very few military versions. The US Navy evaluated one as the XJA-1 but did not buy it. The US Air Corps tested a production aircraft as a photo-reconnaissance and transport plane, but did not buy it either.

A late-production American aircraft went to the Argentine Navy. Only aircraft built in Japan and Manchukuo were also built for military use.

The first aircraft (msn 800) was still designated the Universal Special. It was effectively an intermediate model between the Universal and the Super.

Msn 801 first flew in March 1928 and received registration X4453. It made demonstration flights as far as Mexico.

Byrd eventually bought the aircraft for his South Pole expedition instead of the Universal he had ordered. Soon afterward, substantial orders came in from Canada. American customers also placed orders, though none were particularly large.

Japan had placed orders for F.VIIb’s in the Netherlands. The purchasing delegation then visited Fokker in the United States and placed an initial order for six Super Universals. This was the start of an order that eventually grew to 21 aircraft. Japan Air Transport was thus the largest operator of Super Universals built in the United States.

Super Universals also found their way to other countries. After being phased out in the United States, some went to Central American countries. Some aircraft in the United States also had long service lives. The last was lost in a fire in 1961.

The best-known was msn 826, which appeared in the film ‘Casablanca’. It was painted as D-AGFD for the arrival of a German military delegation.

Built under license in Canada

In 1929, 15 Super Universals were built by Canadian Vickers. The last was equipped with a Bristol Jupiter engine. They were all sold by 1934. All remained in Canada.

Built under license in Japan

Several American Super Universals were completed by Nakajima. License production was then established. Initially, these aircraft were also fitted with Bristol Jupiter engines, which were themselves built under license.

Later, the Nakajima Kotobuki engine developed from it was also used.

Nakajima and its subsidiaries built at least 46 Super Universals. Since around 40 military variants are also mentioned, the actual number was likely considerably higher.

Over time, the aircraft differed somewhat from the original model, especially the military variants.

Nakajima-built aircraft were supplied to Japan Air Transport, among others. Manchu Air Transport Company also operated them. During the war in Manchukuo, the Super Universal was widely used for paramilitary duties.

From 1937, Super Universals were also flown in numbers in the occupied regions of China.

These may also have come from production in Manchukuo.

Built in Manchukuo

The Aviation Arsenal was established in Mukden in 1932 to maintain the aircraft operated by Manchu Air Transport Company. It soon began manufacturing aircraft as well.

One day, the complete Super Universal blueprints arrived there. The first Super Universals built there were delivered starting in October 1933. They were designated Manko. These aircraft matched Nakajima's production of that period.

In the early years, production was mainly for Manchu Air Transport Company. But after an independent air force was (re-)established in 1937, aircraft were also supplied to it.

The scale of Manko production is also unknown. The first aircraft was M-118, and by 1943 the production sequence had reached M-198.

This suggests that 80 aircraft were built. At the end of World War II, 14 of them were flown to Mongolia. As with much from that period, nothing more is known about them.

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