fokkerd7

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 is Maj. Edgar G. Tobin trying to shoo back the photographer, most likely in Fargo, North Dakota on April 23, 1919. This is the only location where the Victory Loan Flying Circus, Mid-West Flight flew under extreme cold and wind conditions during their month long tour. It was 30 degrees that morning in Fargo, with a 35 mph ground wind and a 50 mph wind in the air. There were two Fokker D.VIIs exhibited, as you see one here. "The upper wing of one Fokker was damaged when a high wind carried it and about twenty men off the ground, striking the fuselage and damaging the rudder." They started the air show that afternoon with seven planes, an SE-5, a Spad and five Jennys, but due to high winds and intense cold, canceled the rest of the show after the first hour. Tobin may be trying to prevent the photographer from photographing the damaged Fokker.

Wright Field P108 Fokker D VII 7776/18

René Vannier if you know the models, add tags instead, so other can find!