PH-AFK Fokker F.IX
(c/n 5241)
By 1929
Holland had changed its nationality markings from H-xxx to
PH-xxx. Only two Fokker
F.IXs were built by the parent
company, although several more were constructed under licence
by Avia in
Czechoslovakia, some for their national airline CSA, but also, when
modified, as a
bomber. The F.IX was the largest of the Fokker tri-motors,
but unfortunately it was born in the
Depression years and the economic
conditions of the times resulted in a 20 seater being deemed
too large for the airlines at that
time. On 4 August 1931 (the day I was born) PH-AFK suffered
an engine failure as it was taking
off from Waalhaven Airport. On its emergency landing back at
the airport it struck a tall airfield
lighting structure and was damaged beyond repair.