Fokker F.IV
The Fokker T-2 (factory designation Fokker F.IV ) was a single-engine transport aircraft from the Dutch manufacturer Nederlandsche Vliegtuigenfabriek from the early 1920s. The two in Veere and prefabricated in Dayton (Ohio ) mounted machine came into the possession of the U.S. armed forces. One of them was later converted to ambulance aircraft Fokker A-2.
With the T-2 scored the first non-stop flight between the East and the West Coast of the United States.
History
At the invitation of the U.S. military traveled Anthony Fokker in 1920 in the United States and presented there including the design of a single-engine high-deck that could accommodate up to 12 people. The two then ordered aircraft were completed in 1921 to designs by the chief designer Reinhold Platz and shipped in parts to the USA. The final assembly was carried out in 1922 on the McCook military airfield in Dayton (Ohio ), where they were subsequently found to be T-2 into service by the United States Army Air Service.
One of the two aircraft was subsequently converted into a long-range experimental aircraft. With 36 hours and 14 minutes of flight time, a new world record was set in continuous flight on 16 and 17 April 1923. On 2 and 3 May 1923, the first non-stop flight between the East and West coasts of the United States succeeded. For the distance from New York City to San Diego, the pilots needed 26 hours and 50 minutes. A few months later, the aircraft was converted into a museum. Today it is located in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.
In addition Fokker offered a variant for passenger traffic. There were at this time in the U.S. not interested in larger commercial aircraft, there were no orders.
Construction
The draft F.IV leaned heavily on its predecessor F.III. The box-shaped fuselage consisted of a welded tubular steel frame with fabric covering and lined with plywood. Induction took place over two located on the left side doors. The pilot sat in an open cockpit, which was located at the side of the engine. The wooden wings were cantilevered. As a drive with 300 kW a native of reserve holdings of U.S. Army V12 Liberty engine was performance.
The civilian version could be ordered in different equipment. A variant had a removable cargo compartment, so that the capacity was either 8 passengers plus cargo or 12 passengers. The wooden wings were replaced upon request for those with metal skin. In place of the Liberty engine, the installation of a Napier Lion or a Rolls -Royce Eagle was possible. The two side doors allowed the division of the interior into two separate compartments. None of these variants has been realized.