Fokker F.27 Friendship (English version)

F.27

Fokker F.27 Friendship

Immediately after WW2, a large number of DC-3 aircraft became available on the commercial market. These aircraft provided, among other things, KLM with the opportunity to restart their post-war scheduled services. Fokker also went back to work to find a successor to the DC-3 with more passenger comfort, larger flight range and with economical and reliable engines.

In response to the DC-3, Fokker aircraft under the direction of Head Constructor Kees van Meerten, designed the F.27 Friendship, which would make its first flight on 24 November 1955, which lasted 34 minutes.

This high-decker aircraft, equipped with a pressurized cabin, had a large number of fuselage and wing parts that were manufactured with a glued sandwich construction. For that time a daring and revolutionary construction method.

The F.27 was powered by two reliable Rolls Royce Dart-6 gas turbine engines and fitted with four-bladed propellers. The Dart-6 was later replaced by the more powerful Dart-7 from Rolls Royce. The first prototype provided 28 passengers in the pressurized cabin which was later increased to 32 passengers by enlarging the fuselage by 1 meter.

The F.27 was intended for short and medium distance flying. A total of 787 Friendships were built, 581 at Fokker and 206 under license at the American Fairchild. Fairchild also made their own extended versions The F.27 has flown on almost all continents with hundreds of operators. Of the major countries, only Russia has never flown the F.27.

Fokker made a large number of special versions for their customers:

F27-100 - original type, with 44 seats
F27-200 - with Rolls Royce Dart 7 Mk 528 engines
F27-300M - "Troopship" (for the Royal Netherlands Air Force)
F27-400 - "combi" with Dart 7 Mk 528/532 engines and a cargo door
F27-400M - "Troopship"
F27-500 - extended version, with 52 seats
F27-500F - extended F27-500 with small cargo door, which was designed for Australia
F27-600 - combi version of the F27-200
F27-700 - cargo version of the F27-100 with large cargo door

F27 Maritime - maritime patrol aircraft

Due to the long service life, some individual F.27s have flown with 6 to 10 operators. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Airline (NLM), Schreiner Airways, Limburg Airlines, XP Express, the Phillips flight service and the Royal Family have flown the F.27. The Royal Netherlands Air Force has flown no less than 12 F.27s in a number of military variants. Later, two more MPA, Maritime Patrol Aircraft were added. In the 32 years that the F.27 has been produced, the aircraft has been modernized several times, especially the cockpit and cabin layout. Dozens of versions have been built, new or modified such as: VIP, military (parachutists), cargo, combination passenger / cargo, MPA Maritime Patrol Aircraft, calibration and photo cartography versions. A number of F.27s have been converted into water bombers for extinguishing forest fires. One F.27 has been converted to a flying eye clinic for performing eye operations on location. Partly due to the fact that a pneumatic system was used instead of a hydraulic one, the F.27 was quick, easy and economical to maintain. A number of Friendships are still operational in 2020, including in Iran, Indonesia, Argentina and the Spanish Navy. Many Friendships ended up in museums, Two of them in the Aviodrome in Lelystad, namely the third prototype and the first production aircraft.

When compiling all Fokker F.27 information, the editors used the CD-ROM "Fokker F27 Friendship Story" compiled by Jan Homma and Hans Groen. The CD-ROM is still available and recommended for interested parties!!! hansklaasgroen2@hotmail.com

Click on the photo to enlarge the photo

01

The wind tunnel model of the F.27 at the NLL, the National Aviation Laboratory.
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02

An enginering and installation mock-up of the F.27 at The Fokker Aircraft location at Schiphol Airport
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03

The prototype under construction in Hall A at Fokker’s Schiphol location.
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04

The prototype is now equipped with a color scheme.
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05

cn 10101
The PH-NIV is testing the engines here, on November 7th, 1955.
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06

The PH-NIV during the first flight on November 24th, 1955.
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07

Return after the successful first flight of the PH-NIV.
From left to right: Ir. in 't Veld, ground engineer Ab Steenbergen, designer Kees van Meerten, board member Hein During, test pilot Hugo Burgerhout, and flight engineer Cees Dik.
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08

The first paratroopers being dropped from the PH-NIV.
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09

After 849 flying hours, the PH-NIV went in parts to the TU in Delft.
Part of the fuselage can be viewed at the Aviodrome T2 hangar in Lelystad, The Netherlands
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10

Cn 10102.
The second prototype: the PH NVF.
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11

cn 10102
D-BAKI with former German WDL Aviation.
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12

cn 10102
After 32 years, the D-BAKI is back in the Netherlands with the F.27 Friendship Association. The D-BAKI shown here at the Fokker platform at Schiphol Airport.
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13

cn 10102
In June 1996, the PH NVF regains its old color scheme and registration back. Fokker was bankrupt at that time, but the trustee still gave permission to provide the PH-NVF with its original colours in the aircraft paint shop.
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14

June 1996, the PH-NVF on the Fokker platform, in front of hall 13.
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15

The cockpit of the PH-NVF.
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16

Cn 10105,
The first produced F.27 has flown at Air New Zealand as ZK-NAH.
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17

Cn 10105
The PH-FHF of the Fokker Heritage Trust Foundation at the Aviodrome platform in the colours of NLM.
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18

cn 10107
The PH-SAP flew for some time in 1966 for Schreiner Airways.
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19

cn 10115
With registration 59-0259 delivered as a VIP aircraft to the President of the Philippines in 1959.
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20

cn 10120
The G-SPUD here at Schiphol Airport was delivered to Air Anglia in 1979,
Air Anglia became later Air UK.
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21

cn 10122
Australia became a major market of the F.27. Here the VH-TFG of TAA.
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22

cn 10127
This aircraft flew for the French ARAT, Avion de Recherche Atmosphérique et de Télédétection with registration F-WYAO.
It was a calibration / laboratory aircraft for examining the atmosphere and making various measurements.
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23

cn 10132
The VH-CAT was the Australian variant of the ARAT F.27.
This F.27 took atmospheric measurements.
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24

cn 10138 The F.27 EB-91 in service of the Bolivian Airforce.
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25

cn 10140
This aircraft flew from 1960 as PH-IOK for the Iranian oil company.
In 1973 it received the Iranian registration EP-IOK.
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26

cn 10142
Flew from 1960 to 1972 as PH-PBF in a VIP version for the Dutch government.
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27

cn 10149
The C-2 is a military version of the F.27 Friendship, here in the colours of the Royal Netherlands Airforce ( Klu). The C-2 has flown with the KLu for 36 years.
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28

cn 10152
C-1 has been in active service for 36 years.
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29

cn 10154
The Troopship version of F.27 Friendship at the Royal Dutch Airforce with registration C-4 painted here in camouflage colors
Paratroopers could jump from the aircraft through the two extra-large doors on either side of the aircraft.
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30

cn 10155
Paratroopers jumping from the KLu C-5.
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31

Interior of a KLu Troopship F.27.
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32

cn 10159
The NLM leased their first F.27 from the KLu. This ran from 1966 until 1972. The PH-KFA is the ex KLu C-9.
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33

cn 10178
The JA8602 of the Japanese All Nippon Airways was delivered in 1961.
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34

cn 10183
The PH-FCX was bought back by Fokker in 1975 from the Turkish company THY.

The PH-FCX was converted at Fokker into a prototype of an MPA, Military Reconnaissance Aircraft, some of which later were sold.
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35

The PH-FCX was donated to the Aviodome at Schiphol airport after use as an MPA prototype.
The PH-FCX in front of the Aviodome with a different color scheme.
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36

cn 10183
Anno 2020, the PH-FCX is located in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands, as a bed and breakfast.
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37
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38

cn 10198
In 1962, Phillips included the PH-LIP in her own corporate air fleet.
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39

cn 10200.
From 1972 until 1981, the NLM flew with the PH-KFC, which had previously flown for Balair Switzerland.
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40

cn 10201
In the short time of its existence, Limburg Airlines flew the PH-OGA for 10 months.
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41

cn 10212
The 5H-MRH flew with Air Tanzania from 1978 until 1983.
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42

Cn 10253.
The AP-BDQ of Pakistan International Airlines.
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43

Cn 10253.
The PT-LDJ first flew at Rio-Sul in Brazil before going to PIA.
Brazilian airlines were major operators of various Fokker types, not just the F.27.
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44

Cn 10257.
The Austrian Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda had his own airline for a number of years: Lauda Air. Here shown the OE- HLA.
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45

Cn 10260.
Crashed F-27s were picked up at various locations to be repaired if possible, at the Fokker site Ypenburg. That was done with a Short Belfast of the freight company Heavy Lift. Unloaded in 1982, the TF-FLS of Finnair at Ypenburg.
Short Belfast
46

Cn 10262.
The Pakistan Navy flew this MRA version of the F.27 with registration AR-MLF.
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47

Cn 10270.
Indonesia was a major user of the F.27.
Sempati flew this PK-JFM.
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48

Cn 10275.
The Libyan airline Libian Arab Airlines from North Africa, flew with a fleet of more than 10 Friendships, the 5A-DBE being one of them.
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49

Cn 10300.
After use with the Finnish Karair, this aircraft served as an FF-2 for 22 years in the Finnish Air Force.
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50

Cn 10322.
Dozens of Friendships have been used on the Australian continent.
Here the VH-FNT of Ansett.
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51

Cn 10349.
With a large front left cargo door, the F.27 was ideal for parcel carrier Fedex. After a career of 23 years with a number of companies, Fedex added another 20 years with the G-FEAE.
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52

Cn 10349.
The same Fedex, but now American registered as N742FE.
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53

Cn 10355.
This 42-year-old aircraft has been flying with the Peruvian Coast Guard as AB-582 for 26 years and is still active at the time of writing, April 2020.
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54

Cn 10365.
The New Zealand ZK-NAN of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has been converted into a spray plane to protect crops from pests.
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55

cn 10378
The French Post Office had 12 Friendships in service with which mail was distributed at night throughout France.
Here cn 10378 with registration F-BPUF.

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56

Cn 10403.
The Argentine Air Force regularly ordered Friendships to expand their fleet.
This is the TC-71 Troopship
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57

Cn 10432,
This French registered F-ZBFF was converted into an waterbomber aircraft for fighting forest fires.
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58

Cn 10444.
Not only Fairchild licensed production friendships flew in the States, but also from the Fokker Schiphol production.
Northwest Orient/Airlink flew the N271FA.
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59

Cn 10449.
This American registered N19XE came to the Netherlands in 2012 for a special purpose. At KLM, the aircraft was painted in the livery of the first prototype and received the registration PH-NIV.
After that it was given a place in the pond of the Fokker Logistics Park as a tribute to the Fokker factory that had once stood there.
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60

cn 10449
The PH-NIV in the pond of the Fokker Logistics Park.
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61

Cn 10479.
In Iran 2020, the still present (ex) Air Force F.27s are being used for commercial flights.
This is the 5-8804, used as an air-cartography aircraft by the Iranian Air Force.
Under the fuselage, between the landing gear, the sliding shutter doors are still visible, through which photographing was done.
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62

Cn 10484.
A picture from early 1970. The camouflaged 5-206 of the Iranian Air Force ready for dropping paratroopers.
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63

Cn 10505.
The G520 was a VIP version of the Ghana Air Force.
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64

The VIP interior of the G520.
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65

Cn 10529,
As can be seen, the 7T-WAM of the Algerian Air Force, has the hatches under the hull open for the purpose of cartography.
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66

Cn 10545.
The TF-SYN owned by the Icelandic Coast Guard.
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67

Cn 10560,
The VH-FCF of the Australian Ansett
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68

Cn 10575.
The TC-79 of the Argentine Air Force. The photo is from 2016 and this 48-year-old F.27 is getting set for its final flight.
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69

Cn 10581.
One of the three SAR/MPA aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, the 802-10.
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70

Cn 10603.
After flying with leased and used F.27s, NLM Cityhopper bought three new F.27s in 1979. Here the PH-KFI.
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71

Cn 10605
PH-KFK for NLM Cityhopper.
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72

Cn 10606.
After 25 years of flying with the Friendship, NLM Cityhopper said goodbye to the F.27, here the PH-KFL.
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73

Cn 10612.
One of the two MPA versions of the KLu that were deployed in the Netherlands Antilles. Here the M-1.
Under both wings there is an extra fuel tank so that long distances could be covered..
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73.1
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74

Cn 10615.
This XT-AID registered in Burkina Faso is equipped with an eye clinic / operating room in the cabin.
The Air Hospital flies into West Africa to perform eye surgeries on the local population.
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75

Cn 10631.
An F.27 for Oman Aviation with factory registration PH-EXM.
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76

Cn 10620,
The 2110 in use by the Thai Navy.
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77

Cn 10670 en cn 10655
Two demonstration F-27s from Fokker, suitable for Maritime or coastal patrol tasks.
In front of the PH-FSY with cn 10670, behind the PH-FSR with cn 10655.
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78

Cn 10692.
The last built F.27 was delivered to the American Air Wisconsin on June 28, 1986.
With registration N513AW.
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79

The new cockpit layout of the F.27 in 1975.
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80

Cn 1O, Fairchild license.
The first F.27 produced under license at Fairchild in the USA with registration N1027 flew on April 14th, 1958.
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81

Cn 3 license Fairchild.
On a number of points the Fairchilds differed from the Fokkers.
The passenger door in the rear of the fuselage was equipped with a staircase, as seen here on the N2701 of West Coast.
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82

Cn 42 license Fairchild.
The Argentinian CATA LV-RLB was equipped with an APU,
An APU, in full Auxiliary Power Unit, is a small gas turbine that, among other things, supplies the aircraft with power on the ground, without the engines having to run.
The APU was built into the engine nacelle, which can be seen from the small rear exhaust.
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83

Cn 60, Fairchild license.
Southeast's N4302F.
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84

Cn 89, Fairchild license.
The C-FVQE of the Canadian Westex.
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85

Cn 112, Fairchild license.
With registration N1823G of Horizon Air.
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86

Cn 507, Fairchild license.
After the merging of Fairchild with Hiller, the F.27s were officially designated FH-227, meanwhile the F.27 had also been extended.
This is Delta's FH-227.
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87

Cn 518, Fairchild license.
Mohawk FH-227 with registration N7807M.
All FH-227s had an APU, plus other propellers.
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88

Cn 542, license Fairchild
Autec FH-227 with registration N4716Z.
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89

Cn 553, Fairchild license.
FH-227 from Ozark with registration N4231.
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90

The cockpit of the Fairchilds also differed in detail from the Fokkers.
Here, among other things, another model of steering wheel in this FH-227.
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