F27

[Zebedee Says Boing]

Please could someone explain the difference between Fairchild, Fokker and Dornier.

Happy Landings...


ZSB

[Flypuppy]

Fokker is Dutch
Fairchild is American
Dornier is German

The first major civil aircraft designed and built by Fokker after WW II was the F27. During 1950, Fokker determined what operators would like for a DC-3 replacement, and they developed the P.275 concept, with a shoulder-height wing, powered by a pair of turboprops. By 1953, this had developed into the F27 with Rolls-Royce Dart engines, seating 32 passengers in a pressurized cabin and capable of operating from small airfields. The Dutch government was so confident that Fokker had a winner that they funded the production of two flying and two test aircraft. The prototype flew on November 24, 1955, and the project soon began to yield orders. Fairchild Aircraft
also saw the planes potential, and secured a license-production agreement for airlines in the United States. The Fairchild machines had a longer nose for weather radar, extra fuel tankage, American instrumentation, and seating for up to 40. This version received its FAA Type Approval on July 16, 1958. The F27/F-27 went on to become the best selling turboprop aircraft, with over 700 built. The intial type was followed by the F27 Mk 200/F-27A, with uprated engines, and then the Mk300/F-27B with freighter features. The first major change was made in the F27 Mk 500, which had a fuselage stretch of almost 5 feet, while Fairchild developed the FH-227, which instead stretched the fuselage by 6 feet. F-27's were very popular with the smaller regional and local airlines. They were very reliable, and many passengers enjoyed the fine views from the large windows unimpeded by the wing. Many F-27's are still in service today, and manufacture of this popular plane was extended by the development of the Fokker 50, with new engines and avionics. However, the closure of the Fokker company seems to have finally ended the story of this fine aircraft, although those examples flying today provide evidence of this aircraft's longevity.


[This message has been edited by Flypuppy (edited 30 May 2001).]

[Zebedee Says Boing]

Thanks FlyPuppy. I've got a BAC Express interview tomorrow, that info should help.

Happy Landings,