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Fokker D.VII

This Ellington Field photo of this Fokker D.VII was used by Victory Loan Flying Circus, Mid-West Flight Advance Agent, 1st Lieut. Donovan R. Phillips, when he visited the cities one week in advance. For example, it appeared on page 1 of the Milwaukee Evening Sentinel on April 18, 1919, so that they would have a photo layout to go along with a brief description of the air show that same afternoon in Milwaukee. Perhaps even by intent, the way it was photographed, you can't see the identifying serial number to identify this ship. According to the 1919 inventory, Ellington Field had five Mercedes motors on hand. These were 36865, 43537, 45018, 45149, and 45328. These would be the motors that came with their five Fokkers. We know that Fokker D.VII 8517 had 43537, and Fokker D.VII 8589 had 45328. So, the other three Fokkers had the other three motors, but which, we know not. They also had five Fokkers "repairing": 8503, 8517, 8525, 8538, and 8589.

This Fokker D.VII is shown after the end of the war during the occupation period. This aircraft has been "defanged" and the top of the cockpit area where the guns were mounted covered over and a large windscreen added. It wears the insignia of the 9th Aero Squadron which was a US bomber squadron that flew Breguet 14B2 aircraft during the war. There is another photo of this aircraft from the front right quarter with someone in the cockpit ready to take off.

Fokker D.VII built by Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke GmbH [Fok. D.VII (O.A.W.) 8507/18].