Universal (Total: 7, Canadian: 7, Group 0)

Fokker Universal

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (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

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 World War I. 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

Wikipedia Wikipedia Fokker Universal

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Universal serial G-CYXA

s/n GCYXA

c/n CV131

Canadian Vickers

G-CYXA

Known Units:

Aircraft found to be overweight, never taken on strength. Later to 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.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1929-April-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1929-August-09 Sold as Surplus Sold. 2019-08-20
   1929-August-09 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 199

Universal serial Quebec

s/n Quebec

c/n 414

Fokker

Quebec

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Operated from Nottingham Island, Base B. Named "Quebec". Returned to south via ship in 1928, stored at the CAB facility at the old USN air base at North Sydney, NS. Registration application on 27 August 1930 by J.R. McCowan, not taken up. To Explorers Air Transport of Sydney, NS on 28 June 1932. To B. Phillips of Edmonton, Alberta on 4 December 1933. Re-engined with Wright J-5 while with this owner. To United Air Transport of Edmonton on 4 June 1937. To Fleet Aircraft of Fort Erie, Ontario on 22 June 1938. To Peace River Airways of Peace River, Alberta on 6 July 1938. Certificate lapsed on 6 December 1939, dismantled.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1930 Sold as Surplus sold, see comments 2019-08-20

Universal serial Alberta

s/n Alberta

c/n 412

Fokker

Alberta

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Operated from Wakeham Bay, Base C. Named "Alberta". Returned to south via ship in 1928, stored at the CAB facility at the old USN air base at North Sydney, NS. Application for certification made on 27 August 1930 by J.R. McCowan of North Sydney, NS. Not taken up, probably because of extensive corrosion. Probably scrapped shortly after.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1930 Scrapped Probably scrapped 2019-08-20

Universal serial Ontario

s/n Ontario

c/n 408

Fokker

Ontario

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Used at Base C, Wakeham Bay. Named "Ontario". Returned to south via ship in 1928, stored at the CAB facility at the old USN air base at North Sydney, NS. Sold in 1930, first to R. McCowan et al. To W.H. Rice of Sydney, NS on 31 December 1930, operated by Maritimes and Newfoundland Airways around Gulf of St. Lawerance Operated from French Island of St. Pierre for 5 days in August 1931. To Explorers Air Transport of Sydney on 28 June 1932. To B. Phillips of Edmonton, Alberta on 29 November 1933. Re-engined with Wright J-5 while with this owner. To United Air Transport of Edmonton on 11 December 1934. To G.C.F. Dalziel and F. Corser of Edmonton on 24 July 1937, operated in the Nahanni River region. To Peace River Airways of Peace River, Alberta on 25 July 1938. Registration later lapsed. Temporary ferry permit issued in July 1940.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1930-October-17 Sold as Surplus Sold, registered to R. McCowan et al of Sydney, NS 2019-08-20

Universal serial Manitoba

s/n Manitoba

c/n 410

Fokker

Manitoba

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Named "Manitoba", used at Port Burwell, Base A.
last update: 2025-November-19

Universal serial Saskatchewan

s/n Saskatchewan

c/n 409

Fokker

Saskatchewan

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Arrived at Base B, Nottingham Island, August 1927, crated. Named "Saskatchewan". Returned to south via ship in 1928, stored at the CAB facility at the old USN air base at North Sydney, NS. Application for certification made on 27 August 1930 by J.R. McCowan of North Sydney, NS. Not taken up, probably because of extensive corrosion. Probably scrapped shortly after.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1930 Scrapped Probably scrapped. 2019-08-20

Universal serial BritishColumbia

s/n BritishColumbia

c/n 411

Fokker

BritishColumbia

Known Units:

Purchased for the Hudson Strait expedition 1927 to 1928, jointly funded by RCAF and several other agencies. Used at Port Burwell, Base A. Named "British Columbia". Crashed after takeoff from Eric Cove on attempted ferry flight to the south, 29 August 1928. Float fitting failed due to corrosion, wing and floats extensively damaged. Returned to south via ship in 1928, stored at the CAB facility at the old USN air base at North Sydney, NS. Application for certification made on 27 August 1930 by J.R. McCowan of North Sydney, NS. Not taken up, probably because of extensive corrosion. Probably scrapped shortly after.
last update: 2025-November-19
   1930 Scrapped Probably scrapped 2019-08-20