Atlantic Aircraft F-10A
Atlantic Aircraft · United States · first flew 1925 · light aircraft
The Atlantic Aircraft F-10A was the American-assembled version of the Fokker F.VII/3m trimotor, built under licence by Atlantic Aircraft Corporation in the late 1920s for US airline and military use.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fokker F.VII/3m trimotor in American-built form
- High corrugated-skin wing with three exposed radials
- Fixed tailwheel undercarriage
A large high-wing trimotor with the characteristic Fokker thick cantilever wing and corrugated metal covering; closely resembles the Ford Trimotor but with a smoother fuselage cross-section.
Specifications
- The Atlantic Aircraft F-10A has a length of 14.73 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.71 m (71 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + up to 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Atlantic Aircraft Corporation imported and assembled Fokker designs in the United States under licence from the Dutch manufacturer. The F-10A, using Wright Whirlwind or Pratt & Whitney Wasp radials, served with early American airlines including Western Air Express and Pan American. A fatal crash in 1931 involving Knute Rockne triggered scrutiny of the wooden wing structure and hastened its retirement.
Variants
The F-10 used J5 Whirlwind engines; the F-10A switched to more powerful Pratt & Whitney Wasps, improving payload and range.
Where you'll see it
Used by Western Air Express, Pan American, and the US Army Air Corps in small numbers; retired from US airline service by the early 1930s following structural concerns.
Related aircraft
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