Fokker D-7, 1919

An article on the 1919 Air Service Transcontinental Reliability ad Endurance Test (New York to San Francisco) has an interesting passage on D-7 aircraft, five of which had been entered. Only one completed the journey (flown by Lt.Col. Harold Hartney) but the type impressed all with its ease of servicing and ruggedness arising from tubular steel construction. The following, however, is lesser known about the D-7:

"One unforeseen advantage that the Fokker demonstrated during the race was the ability of its engine, designed to run on low-grade wartime German fuel, to keep running on any farmer's tractor gas that could be obtained in an emergency. This feat could not be duplicated by the delicately tuned and highly temperamental Allied powerplants."