Fokker C.VII

The Fokker C.VII was a Dutch two‑seat, high‑wing monoplane developed by the Fokker company in the mid‑1920s as a continuation of the successful C.V series. Its design work began in 1926 and the prototype flew in early 1927, combining a mixed wood‑and‑metal structure with a fabric‑covered wing, fixed split‑axle landing gear and a powerful inline engine—initially a 450 hp Lorraine‑Dietrich, later options included the 600 hp Hispano‑Suiza 12Y. The aircraft accommodated a pilot and observer, providing a forward‑firing machine gun and a flexible rear gun, while its under‑wing racks could carry up to 300 kg of bombs. Production totaled about 200 airframes, supplied to the Dutch East Indies, Sweden, Turkey, Spain and several South American nations. In Spanish service the C.VII saw combat during the civil war, demonstrating its reliability and adaptability for reconnaissance, light bombing and liaison duties. Its robust construction and straightforward handling made it a popular trainer for new pilots, bridging the gap between wooden biplanes and the all‑metal monoplanes that would dominate the 1930s. The C.VII therefore represents a key transitional step in interwar aviation, cementing Fokker’s reputation for versatile, export‑oriented aircraft.