Jack Fellows (American, B. 1941) "1918 Fokker D VII" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the Fokker DVII from the 100 Year of Powered Flight Collection. The Fokker D VII is regarded by many authorities as the best fighter plane to see widespread service in World War I. It embodied not only a fine performance, but also construction techniques (welded steel tube fuselage, thick semi-cantilever wings) that would be adopted by many manufacturers in the 1920s. It was said of the Fokker D VII that it made bad pilots into good pilots and good pilots into aces. It was relatively easy to fly, moderately fast and quite maneuverable. It had the ability to "hang on its prop" and fire at opponents, a technique still highly valued today. The Armistice agreement of World War I specifically required that all first line D VII aircraft be turned over to the Allies. Subsequently, several were brought to the United States to be used as fighter training aircraft. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B17112)