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.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA