Welcome aboard


The great success that Fokker achieved with its F27 model encouraged the Dutch manufacturer to go one step further. In this way, in Apr1962 the new project was announced: The F28 Fellowship.
On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the prototype´s first flight, -May 9, 1967-, we glad to invite you to the launch of this new Blog fokkerfellowship28.blogspot.com, dedicated absolutely to the Fellowship.
We invite all those who are passionate about this small Dutch colossus to share their experiences, photographs, or information in this space. The site is under development, and we hope all readers will like it.
Welcome aboard

Gonzalo Carballo, Esteban Lerín & Carlos Abella
Showing posts with label Profile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Profile. Show all posts

Never delivered #17

 


Fokker not only conducted demonstration flights and tours of its F-28 around the world, but also demonstrated its products to potential buyers at its facilities.

Thus, on October 13, 1971, PH-ZAV (cn. 11032) made a demonstration flight from Schiphol for the Israeli company Arkia Airlines.

Never delivered #16

 


    Fokker signed an agreement with Fairchild Hiller to market the F-28 Fellowship in the Americas. Ten were sold to the American company, of which only two were sold.
    It likely ran promotional campaigns to attract potential buyers, including Aloha Airlines. Models of F-28s bearing this company's image exist.
    In 1959, Aloha purchased the Fairchild F-27, and it was expected to acquire the Fellowship as a replacement or complement. However, the company had already purchased the BAC One Eleven 400 in 1966.


 

Never delivered #15

 


Among Fokker's efforts to sell the Fokker F-28 in North America was Bonanza Airlines. Models were made depicting the Fokker F-28 in that company's colors, some of which are circulating online. Bonanza Airlines never purchased F-28s. In 1965, it ordered three DC-9 Series 10s.

The endless Colombian

    
Affectionately nicknamed "The Coffee Maker" in Colombia, one surviving F-28 is FAC1041 (cn. 11162) belonging to the Colombian Air Force, which is currently still flying. 
    This is an F-28 Mk.3000 that first flew on July 3, 1980, bearing the test registration PH-EXY. It had originally been ordered by Sun Pacific Airlines. The American company decided not to acquire it, so on August 16, 1981, it was registered in the name of Fokker. In the early 1980s, an attempt was made to market it in negotiations with the Bolivian government for Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, but this also fell through.



   During January 1985, it was converted to the Mk.3000C version, with the addition of a cargo door. On January 3, 1985, it was re-registered as PH-EZL.
    It was soon acquired by the Colombian government for SATENA Airlines. The aircraft was delivered on February 7, 1985, with registration FAC1141 and christened "El Llanero".
    On September 22, 1998, it was damaged when it overshot the runway during a landing in Villavicencio. This accident caused the nose landing gear to detach. The aircraft was dismantled and transported on a Heavylift Short Belfast aircraft to Woensdrecht, the Netherlands, for repairs. Upon its return to Colombia, it was observed in service on February 2, 1999, displaying SATENA's new colors.
On April 11, 2002, it was dismissed from the airline with a cannon salute and transferred to the Colombian Air Force.
    As such, on April 1, 2003, it was observed in Bogotá with its new registration FAC1041. On March 24, 2006, it was temporarily transferred to SATENA.
    Its longevity is partly due to its excellent maintenance. This aircraft arrived at Woensdrecht on February 22, 2013, for major inspection and the installation of a center fuel tank. It also received a new paint scheme. Following the completion of the work, it completed a test flight on October 10, 2013, and returned to Colombia on October 19, 2013.
    
On December 1, 2021, it returned to Woensdrecht for a general check. On August 1, 2022, it was seen being towed. On August 3 and 10, 2022, it performed test flights and then returned to Colombia.
Below is a breakdown of FAC1041's flights obtained using the Flightradar 24 app, along with information from images posted online.



Never delivered #14

 


In February–March 1969, the Fokker F-28 Mk. 1000 PH-MOL (cn. 11003) made a promotional tour of Oceania. Among the countries visited was New Zealand, and the aircraft was observed in Hokitika on February 27, 1969, and March 1, 1969.

In early March 1969, it made a six-day visit to Wellington, where National Airways (NAC), a civilian division of the Ministry of Transport, evaluated the F-28 and, while not expressing immediate interest, considered the aircraft for possible acquisition in early 1970.

On March 4, 1969, PH-MOL (cn. 11003) was sighted at Christchurch Airport. The aircraft also visited Napier Airport.

Sources: 3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com, press photos, Hokitika Guardian