Fairchild F-27

The Fairchild F-27 and the Fairchild Hiller FH-227 were the versions of the Dutch Fokker F27 Friendship, a twin-engined turboprop airliner, that Fairchild Hiller built under licence in the United States. The F-27 resembled the Fokker original but had basic seating for 40, heavier external skinning, a lengthened nose for weather radar, extra fuel capacity and a rear passenger airstair door. The first aircraft of either maker to enter United States service was a Fairchild-built F-27 with West Coast Airlines in September 1958. Fairchild later built the FH-227, an independently developed stretched version flown by Delta, Mohawk, Northeast, Ozark, Piedmont and Wien Air Alaska. Developments of the F-27 included the F-27A with more powerful engines and the F-27B Combi passenger and freight version.