Fokker Super Universal NC4453

SHORT, COLD LIFE FOR VIRGINIA

This aircraft was a Fokker Super Universal, S/N U-801 (ATC # unassigned), manufactured in February 1928 by the Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, Teterboro Airport, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.  It left the factory with a Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine, S/N 248.  It weighed 4,000 pounds.

The NASM record does not list a first sale for NC4453.  However it probably went to the east coast somewhere, because the homebase was cited as New York, NY in the Register.

NC4453 landed once at Tucson on July 8, 1928 flown by Jack Frye.  He carried three passengers identified as G.E. Haynes, E. Hitchman and George E. Conklin.  They were southbound from Phoenix to Nogales, AZ.  Frye noted in the Remarks column of the Register, “HOT”.

This airplane had a cantilever wing.  It was a “one-only” aircraft that did not conform to ATC #52.  It was sent to the Antarctic with the Byrd expedition (date not specified, but it was 1928).  It was named the "Virginia", and flown by Bernt Balchen (see Balchen with another Fokker, NX4204, the "Josephine Ford"). All totaled, three of Byrd's arctic exploration aircraft landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield and are cited in the Register. They are NX4204, the "Josephine Ford", NC8006, the "Stars & Stripes" and NC4453, the "Virginia".

NC4453 was destroyed in a storm ca. early March, 1928. You can see images here of what the airplane looked like in service with Byrd, and the remains of it as it rests today in Antarctica. Another image taken after the storm is here.

By April 17, 1929 it was reported as “totally damaged.”

UPLOADED: 07/07/06 REVISED: 07/17/06