Anthony Fokker (born Anton Herman Gerard Fokker) was a Dutch airplane designer and businessman. Born in the Dutch East Indies, he moved to Europe and attended school in Germany. In 1910, he built his first aircraft and became a pilot. In 1912, he founded his first aircraft company in Germany. When World War I started, the German government nationalized his company and Fokker designed many military craft, including the famed Fokker triplane used by Manfred von Richthofen. He also developed a way to synchronize the propeller with machine guns.
In 1917, Fokker delivered his triplane to Baron von Richtofen, who was harassing the Lafayette Escadrille. Later in the year, Indiana Jones, working for French intelligence, contacted Fokker in Germany in an attempt to buy his loyalty and aviation expertise for France. Jones' attempt to steal Fokker from the Germans failed, though when Jones' presence was discovered in the German aircraft installation, Jones destroyed the place in his escape.
Behind the Scenes
After WWI, Fokker moved back to the Netherlands and started a new aircraft company. Eventually he moved to New York City, where he opened another aircraft company and became an American citizen. Fokker died in 1939. His nickname was "The Flying Dutchman".
Craig Kelly portrayed Fokker in Young Indiana Jones and the Attack of the Hawkmen.
