F27

The F27, short for Fokker 27 Friendship, is a Dutch-built regional airliner designed and manufactured by Fokker. It first flew in 1955 and entered commercial service in 1958, becoming one of the most successful European regional aircraft of its era. The F27 was produced in several passenger variants and to a lesser extent in freight configurations, with hundreds of examples operating worldwide for civil, military, and government operators. Its combination of reliability, versatility, and rugged performance made it a staple on short- to medium-haul routes, including operations from shorter or less-developed airfields.

Design and development work focused on a high-wing, twin-turboprop configuration that could operate from relatively short runways and rough airstrips. The aircraft typically employed two turboprop engines, with early versions using engines such as the Rolls-Royce Dart. The fuselage accommodated roughly 40 to 60 passengers, depending on the variant and layout. Variants were developed to extend range or payload, including stretched versions and a cargo configuration, and there were several military or government-operated variants produced for specific national requirements.

Operational history and legacy: The F27 saw widespread use across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, becoming a common sight on regional routes for decades. It established Fokker as a major producer of regional aircraft and influenced subsequent designs, including later turboprop families. While production wound down in the late 1980s, many F27s remained in service with airlines and military operators for years, valued for their simplicity, robustness, and ability to operate from smaller fields. The F27’s success helped shape the trajectory of regional air transport in the second half of the 20th century.