Fokker F27

The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. With 786 units built (including 206 in the USA by Fairchild) it is the most successful turboprop airliner of all time.

Design of the aircraft started in the 1950s as a DC-3 replacement. A number of different configurations were considered before the final decision on a high wing twin Rolls Royce Dart engines with a pressurised cabin for 28 passengers. The first prototype, PH-NIV first flew on 24 November 1955. The second prototype and initial production machines were 3ft longer, a correction to the first aircraft being a little tail heavy and also allowing more passengers and the more powerful Dart Mk 528 engine.

In 1956 Fokker signed a deal with Fairchild for the latter to construct the aircraft in the USA. The first US built aircraft flew on 12 April 1958. The first production model the -100 seated 44 passengers, with initial deliveries to Aer Lingus in September 1958. Dart mk532 was the next engine being used leading to the -200.

The most ubiquitous model the -500 had a 4ft 11in longer fuselage, a return to the Dart528 and accommodation for 52 passengers. It first flew in November 1967.

In 1985 two Fokker F27 Troopships were leased by the US Army parachute team, the Golden Knights. Subsequently two aircraft were purchased and designated C-31A Troopship. The aircraft were used both to transport the team to airshows and also as their jumping platform.

Other versions include: