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The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.

History

Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful DC-3 airliner. The manufacturer evaluated a number of different configurations before finally deciding on a high wing twin Rolls-Royce Dart engined layout with a pressurised cabin for 28 passengers.

The first prototype, registered PH-NIV, first flew on 24 November 1955. The second prototype and initial production machines were 3 ft (0.9 m) longer, addressing the first aircraft's slightly tail-heavy handling and also providing space for more passengers. These aircraft also used the more powerful Dart Mk 528 engine.

In 1956 Fokker signed a licensing deal with the US aircraft manufacturer Fairchild for the latter to construct the aircraft in the USA. The first U.S.-built aircraft flew on 12 April 1958.

As at the end of the Fokker F27s production, 786 units had been built (including 206 in the USA by Fairchild), which makes it the most successful turboprop airliner of all time.

In the early 1980s, Fokker developed a successor to the Friendship, the Fokker F50, with upgraded engines and systems.

Variants

The first production model of the Fokker F27, the F27-100, which seated 44 passengers, was initially deliveried to Aer Lingus in September 1958.

Other versions of the Fokker F27 include:

  • F27-100 - was the first production model;
  • F27-200 - uses the Dart Mk 532 engine;
  • F27-300 Combiplane - Civil passenger/cargo aircraft;
  • F27-300M Troopship - Military transport version for Royal Netherlands Air Force;
  • F27-400 - "Combi" passenger/cargo aircraft, with two Rolls-Royce Dart 7 turboprop engines and large cargo door;
  • F27-400M - Military version;
  • F27-500 - The most ubiquitous Fokker F27 model the -500, had a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) longer fuselage, a return back to the Dart Mk 528 engine, and accommodation for up to 52 passengers. It first flew in November 1967;
  • F27-500M - Military version;
  • F27-500F - A version of the -500 for Australia with smaller front and rear doors;
  • F27-600 - Cargo version of -200;
  • F27-700 - A F27-100 with a large cargo door;
  • F27 Maritime - Unarmed maritime reconnaissance version;
  • F27 Maritime Enforcer - Armed maritime reconnaissance version; and
  • FH227 - Fairchild-Hiller stretched version.

Specifications

  • Length: 77 ft 2 in (23.5 m)
  • Span: 95 ft 2 in (29.0 m)
  • Wing area: 753 ft² (70.0 m²)
  • Max takeoff weight: 42,000 lb (19,050 kg)
  • Max Cruising speed: 300 mph (483 km/h)
  • Range: 912 miles (1,468 km)
  • Service ceiling: 32,600 ft (9900 m)
  • Engines: 2x Rolls-Royce Dart Mk528 turboprops

Operators

Fokker F27 operators - past and present

The F-27 is one of the most widely used airliners in the world, though the Douglas DC-3 holds the record.

Many aircraft have passed from passenger service into cargo or express-package freighter roles.

Pakistan International Airlines has been operating Fokker F27 aircraft in the difficult terrain of Northern Areas of Pakistan. It currently has six Fokker F27 aircraft in its fleet which are planned to be retired by the end of 2006.

Airlines

Military Operators Past and Present

Government Agencies
  • Department of Civil Aviation - Australia
  • The Dutch Royal Flight
  • Icelandic Coast Guard
  • Iranian Government
  • France Institute Geographique
  • Securité Civil - France
Organisations and Corporations

Accidents

  • On February, 2003, a military Fokker F-27 crashed in northwestern Pakistan killing Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, his wife and 15 others.

Full list of accidents

See also

External links

Dutch airliners 1950-1959 | Fokker

Fokker F-27 | فوکر اف۲۷ فرندشیپ | Fokker F27 | フォッカー F27 | Fokker F-27 | Fokker F.27 | Fokker F-27

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Fokker F27".

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