Original Fokker D.VII for sale!

Maxim08 · 13 November 2006, 11:49 AM

Jim,
I think that you are a bit ahead of the curve here.
There is no scheduled auction for the a/c. While this article is distressing to any Canadian involved in aviation or to anyone concerned about the potential loss of a truly unique exhibit, the discussion regarding Knowlton's Fokker has been going on for several years.
About 5 years ago I glibly commented on buying the engine from them and the curator of the collection recommended that I put a proposal to the board! She was yanking my chain a bit, but it did lead to an interesting talk about the museum's dilemma. Sort of like some retired people without a pension but having a house. Property rich but struggling on a day to day basis.
I for one believe that, if KNowlton moves to relinquish the D VII, there will be a 'made in Canada' solution.
Regards,
John

JohnReid · 13 November 2006, 12:08 PM

Thanks Edward.

JohnReid · 13 November 2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim08

Jim,
I think that you are a bit ahead of the curve here.
There is no scheduled auction for the a/c. While this article is distressing to any Canadian involved in aviation or to anyone concerned about the potential loss of a truly unique exhibit, the discussion regarding Knowlton's Fokker has been going on for several years.
About 5 years ago I glibly commented on buying the engine from them and the curator of the collection recommended that I put a proposal to the board! She was yanking my chain a bit, but it did lead to an interesting talk about the museum's dilemma. Sort of like some retired people without a pension but having a house. Property rich but struggling on a day to day basis.
I for one believe that, if KNowlton moves to relinquish the D VII, there will be a 'made in Canada' solution.
Regards,
John

I only hope that you are right Maxim!

baclightning · 13 November 2006, 12:26 PM

The newspaper article that I linked to earlier says that:

a) There are no concrete plans to sell the aircraft, just heated discussion about whether to sell it.

b) If the decision is made to sell it, it will go to the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa.

JohnReid · 13 November 2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baclightning

The newspaper article that I linked to earlier says that:

a) There are no concrete plans to sell the aircraft, just heated discussion about whether to sell it.

b) If the decision is made to sell it, it will go to the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa.

I am sorry but no where in the article is that stated as fact.Negotiations over the aircraft are on hold and the last I heard the CAM can't find the money.

Maxim08 · 13 November 2006, 02:38 PM

Looking at my previous post I note that the bottom of it is full of advertising crap. Not sure how it got there and I want everyone to know that I'm not promoting any of the items shown.
If anyone can tell me how to remove it I would be appreciative.
Regards,
John

Oh good. This one has the same junk. HELP!!!

What? Now it's gone.

Jim Bruton · 13 November 2006, 02:51 PM

John and Everyone Else,

My apologies about the auction reference- I must have mis-read the reference in another area of the forum. Don't need rumor generators, I am sure. This hot topic will produce a few!

Jim

JohnReid · 13 November 2006, 02:57 PM

Michael Scheetz · 13 November 2006, 03:05 PM

Maxim08

I complained to the forum administrator, Scott. His reply was that he is between a "rock and a hard place" with the advertisers.

Wish more would raise a voice and get this cleaned up.

Regarding the D.VII what an exciting and sad discovery! An endangered species. Seems that we did not know it existed, and now we need to save it.

Observing,

Fee2b

13 November 2006, 04:58 PM

Hi John,

This is ridiculous. My parents in law live about 20 minutes away from Knowlton, so needless to say that I make regular visits to see the DVII. The museum's claim that selling the Fokker would free up exhibition space makes no sence at all. Anyone who has been the the Brome County Historical Society knows that there is plenty of un-used space that could be used for displays without moving the Fokker. And do they need the million plus that the sale would bring to display the items that they have in storage? When you see that overall quality of the other displays in the museum, I would say that a few thousand dollars at most would more than do. What they may also not realize, is that I am sure that a good portion of the visitors come to see the DVII and that if they sold it they would probably see a sensible drop in their visitors number.

Edward, I could not agree more with you, this plane has to be preserved in it's current condition if only for it's historical value. When you have the original losenge camo fabric (at least on most of the airframe) there will never be an argument on you should have used this repro fabric during the restoration because it's more 'original' than that repro fabric. In my opinion, a restoration will never make this plane better than it currently is.

John, there is reason to be hopefull. We have, in this contry, laws that prohibit the export of items of historical and cultural value without first obtaining goverment approbation. And if I really can't see the CAM come up with the money it would take to buy this plane, I also have a hard time to imagine a goverment allowing for the plane to be sold abroad. And, there is also the War Museum which might be an option, although I would certainly prefer to see it stay where it is now, albeit in better preservation conditions.

F.X.D.