Pacific Fokkers?

buzz1941 · 10 May 2005, 03:14 PM

Here's a picture taken at Luke Field in about 1919 or 1920, when it was located on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor. Note the aircraft behind the smiling ukulele player -- it seems to be a Fokker D.VII with the cowling off, and still sporting lozenge camouflage. It's the only picture I've seen of a D.VII in the islands, and it's not carried on the pursuit squadron rolls of the period (not uncommon for war booty airframes)

Comment?

Taz · 10 May 2005, 03:35 PM

Burl- The Air Service Airplane Distribution Report from 17 July 1920 shows 116 Fokker D.VIIs total, but none at Luke Field. It also shows 5 in transit, so possibly one of those made it to Hawaii. They sure had enough to go around. Aircraft at Luke on that date included various JN-4/6 trainers, 82 DH-4s and 5 P-6s.

EricGoedkoop · 10 May 2005, 03:45 PM

Well, that one gets my vote for Last Place You'd Expect To Find A WWI Aeroplane.

Thanks, Buzz - that made my night!

drIace · 10 May 2005, 04:14 PM

Another example of :...never say never...

buzz1941 · 10 May 2005, 08:32 PM

Here's a fuzzy picture of an SE.5 from the same photo album of the soldier stationed at Luke Field. I'm guessing it's an Army SE.5E. But there's nothing in the background to suggest it's taken in Hawaii, alas. Probably elsewhere.

StephenLawson · 12 May 2005, 09:04 PM

The 6th Aero Sqdn was stationed at Hawii in 1918- (22 ?) There are some photos of them and their DH 4 types at the Lafayette Foundation.

14 May 2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Well, that one gets my vote for Last Place You'd Expect To Find A WWI Aeroplane.

Your telling me!... "A Fokker D-VII in Hawaii?... It may just as well be on the moon!" Incredible photograph, buzz!" Viele Dank.

"Prost!"

Taz · 14 May 2005, 07:09 PM

Well, we know one thing. Nobody flew it over to the islands.

Terry Phillips
Taz

14 May 2005, 09:51 PM

About 20 years short of drop tanks, and 30 years short of tankers, eh Taz! "Hope they enjoyed the boat ride to Hawaii."

"Prost!"