he Vintage Aero Flying Museum Fokker D-VII was built by Dr. James J. Parks from original blueprints. Dr. Parks built this aircraft in his garage with Andy Parks as a youngster helping out. Assembled and completed at a local Colorado airport, it has been in the family and flown off and on for over 40 years. In 2009 we had the Ranger engine rebuilt to new specifications, added a new oil cooler and many other minor improvements.

This aircraft was viewed as one of the best fighter aircraft of WWI. It bears the colors and markings of Oberleutnant Ernst Udet, a famous WWI aviator. With 62 victories, he was the second highest German ace, revered by both friend and foe. In the 1930's he was a barnstormer.

We're proud to see this Fokker replica D-VII join other museum aircraft on our historic flight to Dayton, Ohio in 2009. More information on this trip can be seen here on our Dayton webpage and Dayton trip blog.

The D.VII entered squadron service with Jasta 10 in early May 1918. The type quickly proved to have many important advantages over the Albatros and Pfalz scouts. Unlike the Albatros scouts, the D.VII could dive without any fear of structural failure. The D.VII was also noted for its ability to climb at high angles of attack, its remarkably docile stall, and its reluctance to spin. These handling characteristics contrasted with contemporary scouts such as the Camel and SPAD, which stalled sharply and spun vigorously. [Brief history courtesy of Wikipedia].

Our Fokker D-VII is one of our flagship replicas which the public is always thrilled to see fly. Our staff of experienced maintenance technicians (all volunteers!) frequently attend to the engine and flight control surfaces to insure we're able to fly this Fokker D-VII as often as weather permits. Please stop by our museum to see this and many of our other vintage aircraft both on display and in flight!

We want to thank Ryan Lunde of Champion Air Photos for many of the wonderful pictures you see on our website. Ryan's photos appear in the below slideshow.