Fokker Trimotor & Standard Airlines

Design and development:

In 1925, while living in the US, Anthony Fokker heard of the inaugural Ford Reliability Tour, which was proposed as a competition for transport aircraft. Fokker had the company's head designer, Reinhold Platz, convert a single-engined F.VII A airliner (a 1924 Walter Rethel design) to a trimotor configuration powered by 200 hp Wright Whirlwind radial engines. The resulting aircraft was designated the Fokker F.VII A/3M. Following shipment to the US, it won the Ford Reliability Tour in late 1925. The Trimotor's structure comprised a fabric-covered steel tubing fuselage, and a plywood-skinned wooden wing. The Fokker F.VII B/3M had a slightly increased wing area over the A/3M, with power increased to 220 hp per engine, while the F.10 was slightly enlarged, carrying 12 passengers in an enclosed cabin. The aircraft became popularly known as the Fokker Trimotor.

Operational history:

The 8- to 12-passenger Fokker was the aircraft of choice for many early airlines, both in Europe and the Americas. Along with the similar Ford Trimotor, itself having an all-metal design based on the World War I aircraft designs of German engineer Hugo Junkers, it dominated the American market in the late 1920s. However, the popularity of the Fokker quickly came to an end after the 1931 death of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne in the crash of TWA Flight 599, a Fokker F.10. The subsequent investigation, which revealed problems with the Fokker's plywood-laminate construction, resulted in the temporary banning of the aircraft from commercial flights, more stringent requirements for its maintenance, and the rise of all-metal aircraft such as the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2.  (source wikipedia)

Jack Frye - High Flyer

Jack Frye as we know was a top flyer in the country that could easily fit in the company of Rickenbacker, Lindbergh, Fokker and in more modern times, Yeager & Doolittle. In the airline industry, Jack was the leader, the trail blazer, the one man that singlehandidly transformed aviation into a commercial passenger travel enterprise as non ever seen on the globe since. One of the ways he 'led the way' was his deep desire and skill to go where no other went before.

This clipping donated by Mr. Frye's daughter, Nevajac Frye, is just one example of Jack Frye in action climbing into his Northrop GAMMA for some high elevation testing that paved the way to 'overweather flying before any other.' Jack loved the pioneering challenges set before him because he invisioned the need, and he was completely freed from any restaints while in the cockpit.

As related to the constant danger of high-flying, Jack Frye has been quoted as stating - 'The Danger is on the Ground.' Hauntingly true as Jack's life was tragically taken by a drunk driver while driving home from work! He was 55.

An important item of note. Though this image isn't clear, one can see that Jack is well dressed underneath his flying gear. You can pick out his dress shoes, pinstriped pants and his overall office attire appearance. Jack flew his Northrop Gamma all over the country on business hops. He would leave from any number of locations at speed up to 250mph, and land to have a meeting with associates or Senators in D.C., then off again to his next destination. They called him 'The Flying President' in which he was surely glad to oblige. More later on Frye and his Gamma travels.

 

 

Below an LA Times news clipping about Jack Frye and Paul Richter setting a 4 mile high record in 1929! A remarkable feat given the technology of the day.

Tony Fokker admires Jack Frye

 

This image provided by Jack Frye's daughter, Nevajac Frye, is a gesture of admiration from Tony Fokker, owner of Fokker Aircraft Company of America, founded 1927. The plane designation in the photo is NC9724.

 

Mr. Fokkers gesture reads:

 

To Jack Frye,

 

Once my first agent (1926), then my best customer, now my most admired friend in transport aviation field. My best wishes for further increase.

 

Tony Fokker

May 1938

 

Anthony FOKKER 1890-1939