Service history of the Fokker F 27 with the RNLAF
The Fokker F27-100/300M Friendships/Troopships
were the workhorses of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLU, Koninklijke
Luchtmacht) for decades until
they were taken out of service in 1996. During this period they severed
in a variety of task. In the Caribbean two Fokker F27-200 Maritime were
active until 2000
Delivery to the Royal
Netherlands Air Force
Design of Fokker F27 was started as a response for a required
replacement of the Douglas DC-3. Fokker adopted a high-wing, twin
Rolls-Royce Dart powered design with pressurised cabin for 28
passengers. The first of two Fokker F27 prototypes made its first flight
on 24 November 1955 and the second on 29 January 1957. Deliveries by
Fokker began in November 1958 and were continuous through almost 30
years.
Twelve aircraft were purchased by the Koninklijke Luchtmacht, the first
three being Fokker F27-100 friendships, the remainder were 37seater
Fokker F27-300M troopships. They were delivered between July 1960 and
April 1961.
The Fokker F27-300M Troopship a military transport variant was developed
for the Royal Netherlands Air Force with an extra-large cargo door and
other modifications to make it suitable for transporting cargo.
Two maritime patrol Fokker F27-200MAR were ordered to replace the P-2
Neptune serving in the Caribbean as a cost-effective surveillance
aircraft for coastal patrol, fishery protection, search and rescue and
similar offshore duties with delivery starting in 1981.
Operational history
Three Fokker 27-100 were delivered as passenger aircraft (C-1 to C-3)
off which C-1 was configured as a VIP aircraft. This VIP aircraft was
used as a spare for the Royal family.
In the first years of service the Fokker 27 did not only perform the
transport role but was used in a verity off roles Fokker F27’s C-5, C-6
and C-7 were converted to navigation trainers, replacing the Beech
TC-45J aircraft used in this role.
Fokker F27 C-8 was used in the training of F-104 Starfighter pilot,
fitted with a nose section of the F-104G it was soon called “Flipper”.
The nose cone contained a NASSAR radar system and operated by a console
in the passenger cabin and was used to introduce Starfighter pilots to
radar navigation. All aircraft where converted back to their original
state at one point.
Fokker F-27 C-9 and C-11 were at some point leased to NLM, registered
PH-KFA and PH-KFB in May 1966. They were returned in May 1972.
During their service life some of the aircraft where modified to serve
during peace keeping operations in Cambodia, the Balkan but also
deployments during the Gulf war.
These modification where mostly related to self defence against
missiles. And a white paint scheme for UN recognisability.
The first Fokker F27-200MPA aircraft, M-1, arrived at Hato on 13
November 1981. The Fokker F27-200MPA operated for most of their
operational life from here. In 1984 one aircraft the M-2 is deployed to
the Persian Gulf to assist in mine control. One of the greatest problems
faced by the squadron is corrosion; it became so bad that a team from
Fokker was send over to help with the repairs.
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