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By
Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_F-27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.
Design and development
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 engine layout with a pressurised cabin for 28 passengers.
The first prototype, registered PH-NIV, first flew on November 24, 1955. The second prototype and initial production machines were 0.9 m (3 ft) longer, addressing the first aircraft's slightly tail-heavy handling and also providing space for four more passengers, bringing the total to 32. These aircraft also used the more powerful Dart Mk 528 engine.
Production
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Aer Lingus were the first airline to operate the F.27 Friendship |
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Braathens SAFE F-27 Friendship in August 1964 |
The first production model, the F27-100, was delivered to Aer Lingus in November 1958. Other early Friendship customers included Braathens SAFE, Luxair, Ansett, Trans Australia Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
In 1956, Fokker signed a licensing deal with the US aircraft manufacturer Fairchild for the latter to construct the F27 in the USA. The first U.S.-built aircraft flew on April 12, 1958. Fairchild also independently developed a stretched version, called the FH-227. Most sales by Fairchild were made in the North American market.
At the end of the Fokker F27s production in 1987, 793 units had been built (including 207 in the USA by Fairchild), which makes it the most successful western European civil turboprop airliner.
Many aircraft have been modified from passenger service to cargo or express-package freighter roles and remain in service in 2009.
In the early 1980s, Fokker developed a successor to the Friendship, the Fokker 50. Although based on the F27-500 airframe, the Fokker 50 is virtually a new aircraft with Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and modern systems. Its general performance and passenger comfort were improved over the F27.
Variants
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F27-300M Troopship |
- F27-100 - was the first production model; 44 passengers.
- 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 for US Army with designation C-31A Troopship.
- 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 - Quick change cargo/passenger version of -200 with large cargo door.
- F27-700 - A F27-100 with a large cargo door.
- F27 Maritime - Unarmed maritime reconnaissance version.
- F27 Maritime Enforcer - Armed maritime reconnaissance version.
- FH-227 - Fairchild Hiller stretched version.
Operators
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Map of F27 operators |
Notable accidents
Full list of accidents
- On March 16, 2009, an Indonesian Air Force F27 crashed in Bandung, Indonesia killing all 24 occupants on board. The cause of the incident was said to be heavy rain. The plane reportedly crashed into a hangar during its landing procedure and killed all on board. The casualties include: 6 crews, an instructor and 17 special forces trainee personnel
Specifications (F27-500)
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F27 Rolls Royce Dart |
Data from
General characteristics
- Crew: Two or three
- Capacity: 52-56 passengers
- Length: 25.06 m (82 ft 2½ in)
- Wingspan: 29.00 m (95 ft 1¾ in)
- Height: 8.72 m (28 ft 7¼ in)
- Wing area: 70.07 m² (754 ft²)
- Empty weight: 11,204 kg (24,650 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 19,773 kg (43,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprop engines, 1,678 kW (2,250 eshp) each
Performance
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
External links
Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Published in July 2009.
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