Paul you could be right I had thought the A (if A) could be for Aircraftsman but could not see the C “next” the 2 would make sence

It could also be just A2 C J Smith however it gives me another option to look for thanks Paul

Thanks guys that probably explains it

All

Thanks

I would like to add that the reference to “Wichita Fokker” clinches it for the Reed aircraft. I had not realised the significance, Reed was interviewed about the incident in the May 1931 issue of Aero Digest. He claimed he was flying a Fokker and the picture above was posted. The interviewer obviously knew his aircraft as he said “I almost forget what a Fokker D VII looks like, but this one seems to have lost its German accent. I guess it’s one of those Wichita Fokkers you often
encounter in the movies. ” – the answer was there all the time, had I known what a “Wichita Fokker” was (I do now!)

So Travel Air 2000 it is then, and yes Southern Air99 I am still looking for the ID for the lower wreckage – but based on the accident report which I now know to be at least 50% accurate it is probably a Lincoln Page

Kind Regards

Paul