Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. This is a great piece of Early U.S. Aviation history! The Fokker F.IV was an airliner designed in the Netherlands in the early 1920s, with only two ever made, both for the United States Army Air Service (designated T-2). One of these two, serial A.S. 64233, was used for a number of long-distance flights over the next few years, culminating in the first nonstop transcontinental flight across the United States. The other T-2, A.S 64234, was turned into an air ambulance, and redesignated the A-2.

The transcontinental idea originated with Lt Oakley G. Kelly, one of the T-2's test pilots. The Army agreed to let Kelly have the aircraft specially modified to carry more fuel, and to install a connecting doorway between the cabin and cockpit so that he and fellow test-pilot Lieutenant John A. Macready could take turns flying and resting. An extra set of controls was also installed to facilitate the handover from one pilot to the other. As modified, the T-2 would take off with 2,350 L (620 US gal) of fuel on board, making it 1,110 kg (2,450 lb) over its prescribed maximum takeoff weight.

In late 1922, Kelly and Macready made two attempts at the transcontinental flight. The first was made on 5 October 1922, departing San Diego, California for New York City. After 35 hours 18 minutes in the air, they were forced to abandon the attempt and land due to fog. This would have been a world duration record, but without a barograph on board, it could not be officially recognized by the FAI. Kelly and Macready tried again on 3 November, but this time engine trouble forced an emergency landing near Indianapolis after 25 hours 30 minutes.

The following year, they made a long-duration flight over a closed circuit over Dayton, Ohio, remaining aloft for 36 hours, 14 minutes 8 seconds between 16 and 17 April. This established a new world duration record, but also a new distance record, weight record, and eight various airspeed records. On 2 May, they set out from New York to attempt the transcontinental flight again, this time traveling in the opposite direction. 26 hours 50 minutes later, they landed in San Diego, having covered 4,034 km (2,521 mi). Their aircraft is preserved in the National Air and Space Museum.

What we have here is a 2" x 2" piece of original fabric from the historic Fokker T-2 A.S. 64233 that made that flight, and the only T-2 still in existence. These were apparently being sold to help further the restoration efforts on the historic plane, as the fabric will only last so long, and eventually needs replacement. It is mounted inside a frame, under a picture of the aircraft, and is captioned as follows:

The Fokker T-2 made the first nonstop U.S. transcontinental flight on May 2 and 3, 1923. It covered the 2470 miles from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, to Rockwell Field, San Diego, California, in 26 hours, 50 minutes, and 38 seconds. The Fokker T-2 is now a part of the Collection of the National Air and Space Museum.

All of this is very nicely mounted and glazed in a wooden frame.. It measures about 20 5/8" x 16 5/8" x 3/4", and is in wonderful display condition. A great piece of early aviation history memorabilia!