Classic Turboprops: The Fokker F27 Friendship

In March 1960, Philippine Airlines expanded its fleet of turboprop aircraft by welcoming the Fokker F27 Friendship, following the earlier acquisition of the Vickers Viscount. Until their retirement in November 1972, PAL operated around 18 F27s. While many aviation enthusiasts are familiar with the Fokker 50, not as much is known about its predecessor, the F27 Friendship. It’s time to delve into the fascinating history of this exceptional turboprop, which played a significant role in the fleets of numerous airlines, including Philippine Airlines.

The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner developed and manufactured by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer, Fokker. As the most numerous post-war aircraft manufactured in the Netherlands, the F27 has also become one of the most successful European airliners of its time.

In the early 1950s, Fokker aimed to produce a capable successor to the piston engine-powered airliners that had become commonplace on the market, such as the Douglas DC-3. A key innovation of the F27 was the adoption of the Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engine, which produced substantially less vibration and noise, providing improved conditions for passengers. Another significant comfort feature was cabin pressurization. Innovative manufacturing techniques, such as the use of metal-to-metal bonding, were also employed in the aircraft’s construction.

On November 24, 1955, the F27 made its maiden flight, marking a new chapter in aviation history. Just three years later, on November 19, 1958, the aircraft type was introduced to revenue service. It quickly gained recognition as a commercial success.

A Look at the Development of the F27

In the aftermath of the Second World War, twin-engine all-metal monoplanes, such as the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner, dominated commuter aviation. By the early 1950s, various aircraft manufacturers, including Fokker, began considering the post-war requirements of the civil aviation market and started working on projects to meet these demands.

Fokker sought opinions from existing DC-3 operators to understand the performance improvements and refinements they expected from a new commuter aircraft model. Based on this feedback, the design team chose to incorporate various new technologies into the tentative design.

Fokker evaluated several potential configurations for the airliner before finally settling upon a high-wing aircraft powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines and featuring a pressurized cabin that could accommodate 28 passengers. The high-mounted wing provided a higher lift coefficient, easier ground loading due to a lower floor level, and unfettered external views for passengers without any weight increase.

In 1953, the proposed airliner received the name “Friendship.” A total of four prototypes were produced, with two of them being flyable aircraft used for the test flight program. The second prototype and initial production machines were slightly longer than the first prototype to address a revealed tendency for tail-heavy handling and provide additional space for four more passengers, raising the maximum passenger capacity to 32.

Development and Operators

In November 1958, the first production aircraft, an F27-100 model, was delivered to Irish airline Aer Lingus, performing its first revenue flight the following month. Early customers of the Friendship included European airlines Braathens SAFE and Luxair, as well as New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Trans Australia Airlines, Ansett, East-West Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

At first, sales for the Fokker F27 Friendship were slow, which led Fokker to seek financial support from banks and the Dutch government to maintain production while looking for more customers. However, in 1960, demand for the F27 increased rapidly as multiple airlines placed sizable orders for the type. The F27’s growing reputation played a significant role in this surge of interest, as operators found the aircraft to be far more efficient, comfortable, and reliable than its piston-engine wartime counterparts like the DC-3.

By the end of the production run for the Fokker F27 in 1987, a total of 592 units had been completed by Fokker. An additional 207 F-27s and FH-227s were produced in the US by Fairchild, making it the most produced western European civil turboprop airliner of its time.

As the years went by, many Fokker F27 aircraft were modified from their original passenger service configurations to perform cargo or express-package freighter duties. One of the last major cargo users of the F27 in the United States was FedEx Express, which used the aircraft as a cargo “feeder.” These planes were eventually retired and replaced by a mixture of ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. The last of these Fokker F27 aircraft were donated to the Hickory Aviation Museum.

Variants and Specifications

The Fokker F27 Friendship experienced several variants throughout its production life. Here is a list of the key variants and their specifications:

F27-100 (F27 Mk 100)

• Capacity: 28-40 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.507-7 or Mk.511-7 turboprops, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each

F27-200 (F27 Mk 200)

• Capacity: 40-52 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each

F27-300 (F27 Mk 300)

• Capacity: 40-52 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each
• Features: A combi passenger/cargo version

F27-400 (F27 Mk 400)

• Capacity: 40-52 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each
• Features: Quick-change passenger/cargo version

F27-500 (F27 Mk 500)

• Capacity: 52-56 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.536-7R turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each
• Features: Longer fuselage, increased seating capacity

F27-600 (F27 Mk 600)

• Capacity: 40-52 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each
• Features: Similar to the F27-200 but equipped for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations

F27-700 (F27 Mk 700)

• Capacity: 28-40 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.507-7 or Mk.511-7 turboprops, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each
• Features: Similar to the F27-100 but equipped for STOL operations

FH-227

• Capacity: 56 passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.532-7 turboprops, 1,678 kW (2,250 hp) each
• Features: A stretched version developed and built by Fairchild in the United States

General Specifications:

• Crew: 2 or 3
• Capacity: 28-56 passengers (depending on the variant)
• Length: 25.06 m (82 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 29 m (95 ft 2 in)
• Height: 8.71 m (28 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 70 m2 (750 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 11,204 kg (24,701 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 19,773 kg (43,592 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines (power output varies depending on the variant)
• Cruise speed: 460 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn)
• Range: 2,600 km (1,600 mi, 1,400 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 7.37 m/s (1,451 ft/min)

Keep in mind that these specifications may slightly differ depending on the specific Fokker F27 variant. Some airlines might have customized their aircraft configurations.

The Fokker F27 Friendship stands as a testament to the innovation and progress in the aviation industry during its time. Its exceptional performance, reliability, and efficiency made it a popular choice for airlines around the world, including Philippine Airlines. As we look back on the remarkable history of this turboprop aircraft, it’s important to remember the vital role it played in shaping the modern aviation landscape. The Fokker F27 Friendship will always hold a special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts, and its legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of aircraft designs.