THE 'LUCHTVAARTAFDELING VAN HET KONINKLIJK NEDERLANDS-INDISCH LEGER' (LA-KNIL)

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The D.VII's for the LA-KNIL differed from the LVA/MLD aircraft, in that they were fitted with a Siddeley Puma engine. This was desired by the LA-KNIL, because it was the same engine as used in the De Havilland DH-9's they had.

During the testflight of the first Puma powered D.VII on Februay 25, 1921, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot, Adolf Parge. During take-off, the pilot made a very steep climb, and started a turn to the left, when the engine stopped. The D.VII then stalled, and dived into the ground from a height of approximately 80 meters. The second Puma D.VII was flown succesfully on April 27, 1921 bij Lt. Versteegh.

An unregistered D.VII for the LA-KNIL

The D.VII's were put into service in 1922, registered as 'F-301' to 'F-306'. The D.VII in the Dutch East Indies was not a succes. There were a lot of troubles with the engines and the synchronization mechanism. The last one was withdrawn in 1928.


The five LA-KNIL D.VII's over Bandung. The pilots are:
F-305: Capt. Leendertz, F-302: Sgt. Major Huisjes, F-304: Lt. De Ruiter van Steveninck, F-301 Lt. De Kruif van Dorsen, F-303: Lt. Waltman (info via Piet Huisjes)