Canadian Warplanes 2: Fokker Universal and Fokker Super Universal

Fokker Universal and Fokker Super Universal

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390545)

Fokker 'Universal' aircraft of Western Canada Airways] Winter operations at Gold Pines, Ontario, c1930.

One Fokker Universal built by Canadian Vickers at Montreal, Reg. No. G-CYXA was assessed by the RCAF. The Aircraft was found to be overweight, and was never taken on strength. G-CYXA later went to the civil register as CF-AFL. Registered to Western Canada Airways of Winnipeg on 9 August 1929. Damaged beyond repair in December 1933, when it sank through the ice at Sydney Lake, Manitoba.

The Fokker Universal was the first aircraft built in the United States that was based on the designs of Dutch-born Anthony Fokker, who had designed aircraft for the Germans during the First World War. About half of the 44 Universals that were built between 1926 and 1931 in the United States were used in Canada. Among the famous pilots who flew the Fokker Universal were Punch Dickins and Walter Gilbert.

Anthony Fokker established the Atlantic Aircraft Corporation at the Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey. One of his first ventures for the new company was building other aircraft under license. In 1926, he formulated plans to create an original aircraft designed for utility and air transport. The design was spearheaded by Robert Noorduyn and based on conventional Fokker designs. The mixed-material construction featured a welded steel tube frame for the fuselage and tail surfaces that were covered in fabric as well as a large wing constructed of wood with a wingspan of 14.55 m, mounted above the fuselage. Although the overall design was quite "clean," all cables, horns and attachments were mounted externally, adding considerably to the drag.

When the Fokker Universal (known within Fokker as the Model 4) was first developed in 1925, it had a 149 kW (200 hp) Wright J-4 or a 164 kW (220 hp) J-5 engine. The later Standard Universal version was powered by a 246 kW (330 hp) Wright J-6-9 engine. Two gasoline tanks were mounted in the wings near the forward edge. As typical of the era, the pilot sat in an open cockpit forward of the wing’s leading edge. The enclosed cabin below and to the rear of the pilot held four to six passengers or could be fitted for cargo hauling. Cargo capacity was estimated to be approximately 427 kg (940 lb); fuel capacity was 280 l (78 US gal) or 213 kg (468 lb). (Wikipedia)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390502)

Fokker 'Super Universal' aircraft G-CASQ of Western Canada Airways, Winter operations on Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories, c1930.

 (Bzuk Photo)

Fokker Universal floatplane, G-CAJD in service, ca 1930s.  Fokker Standard Universal G-CAJD is also known as "The Ghost of Charron Lake".  It was lost in a snow storm on 10 Dec 1931.  After a 30-year search for the rare bush plane, it was discovered in 2005. A Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada search team, using sophisticated side scan sonar technology, located the aircraft literally on the lake bottom.  In July 2006, the Ghost's engine was returned to Winnipeg, along with several artifacts.  In October, the underwater archaeology team returned to the recovery site and towed the tail section to shallower waters.  A further expedition was undertaken in 2007 to recover more of the Fokker for future display at the museum.  Larger and smaller components are presently in storage at the museum.  A decision as to restoration or conservation of the recovered material is pending.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3223631)

Fokker Universal Reg. No. G-CAHF, aboard S.S. Larch during the Hudson Strait Expedition, 31 August 1928.

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390509)

Fokker Universal floatplane, G-CAIZ, Central Manitoba Mines, Long Lake, Manitoba, August 1929.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390536)

Fokker Universal being refuelled by Roy Brown, Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, 1928.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Fokker Super Universal, RCAF.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390454)

Fokker Super Universal floatplane, G-CASL of Western Canada Airways Co., Rottenstone Lake, Saskatchewan, 1929.  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390454)

Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5275229)

Fokker Super Universal floatplane, G-CASK of Western Canada Airways Co., near Wrigley on the Mackenzie River, W.L. Brintnell and W.S. Toll - mechanic, 1929.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580823)

Fokker Super Universal floatplane, 7 March 1933.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390542)

Fokker Universal floatplane, G-CAIX, at Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1927.  Pilot Fred J. Stevenson and Engineer Bob Hodgins.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390453)

Fokker 'Super Universal' aircraft CF-AAM, Saskatchewan, 1929.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

Fokker Super Universal, C/N 827,  CF-AAM.  Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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