Photograph:
Fokker F-28-4000 Fellowship VH-EWD² (c/n 11208) landing at Norfolk Island (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
The Netherlands
Description:
Power Plant:
Two 9,900 lbst Rolls Royce RH183-2 Spey Mk 555-15H turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 25.07 m (82 ft 3 in)
- Length: 29.61 m (97 ft 1¾ in)
- Height: 8.47 m (27 ft 9½ in)
- Wing area: 79 m² (850 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 10,058 m (33,000 ft): 808 km/h (592 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 787 km/h (489 mph)
- Long-range cruising speed at 9,144 m (30,000 ft):
- 656 km/h (407 mph)
- Range in long-range cruise: 1,852 km (1,151 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 9,740 litres (2,143 Imp gals)
- Take-off field length at 32,200 kg (71,000 lb): 1,590 m (5,215 ft)
- Landing field length at 26,080 kg (57,500 lb): 965 m (3,170 ft)
- Empty weight: 26,080 kg (57,500 lb)
- Loaded weight: 32,200 kg (71,000 lb)
History:
With the success of the F-28-1000 series, Fokker moved to develop further variants to meet airline needs. The Company then produced the Mk 3000 (short fuselage) and Mk 4000 (long fuselage) with the same increased wingspan and improved engines, but without the leading-edge slats. The Mk 3000 could carry 65 passengers for 2,777 km (1,725 miles). Further variants included the F-28-5000 and F-28-6000. Final development led to the Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 series which have also been popular in Australia.
In the 1970s East West Airlines indicated an interest in obtaining F-28 Fellowships but, as with Airlines of New South Wales, the depression in the rural economy meant the postponement of plans until 30 May 1980 when East West Airlines ordered two F-28-4000 aircraft, VH-EWA5 (c/n 11195 – ‘Don Shand’) and VH-EWB³ (c/n 11205 – ‘George Harrison’), for its services, a third being ordered early in 1982, VH-EWC² (c/n 11207 – ‘Basil Brown’). Further examples were received, a series 4000 VH-EWD² (c/n 11208) and series 3000s VH-EWF (c/n 11143) and VH-EWG (c/n 11151).
The F-28 was also operated by Air Niugini of Boroko, PNG, aircraft including P2-ANE (c/n 11033), P2-ANF (c/n 11038), P2-ANU (c/n 11041) and P2-ANW (c/n 11056).
In late 1981 Airlines of Western Australia announced it was ordering two Mk 4000s to replace its Mk 1000s, these becoming VH-FKI (c/n 11183 – ‘RMA Kleinig’) and VH-FKJ (c/n 11186 – ‘RMA Goldfields’). A few Mk 1000s then moved to Airlines of New South Wales and were used on western New South Wales routes. The Mk 4000 was a long-range model with increased fuel capacity. Powered by 9,900 lbst Rolls Royce Spey 183-555 engines with an improved ‘hushkit’ for quieter operation, the maximum stage length was up to 3,781 km (2,350 miles) and the maximum take-off weight was increased to 33,113 kg (73,000 lb).
Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter operated one, an F-28-4000 VH-LAR (c/n 11212 – ex PH-EXZ), from Adelaide. The company won a contract for five years to use an F-28-4000 to service the Santos Delhi gas and oil developments in South Australia and Brisbane, QLD, this machine later becoming VH-FKO in 1990. At one stage it was operated on charter to Qantas for services from Adelaide to Moomba, Jackson and Brisbane.
No F-28s have survived in Australia, but a couple survived for a period in New Guinea. After retirement most of the Australian F-28s were exported and others were broken up for spares, eg VH-FKD at Tullamarine, VIC.
In the late 1980s East West Airlines needed to further expand its fleet and two F-28-3000s were leased from Cimber Air in 1987, becoming VH-EWF³ (c/n 11143 – ex OY-BRM, PH-EXZ) and VH-EWG² (c/n 11151 – ex OY-BRN, PH-EXU). East West Airlines eventually had a fleet of 72-seat F-28-4000s, two 65-seat F-28-3000s and seven F-27-500s . The acquisition of East West Airlines by Ansett Airlines eventually meant that most of the F-28 Fellowships in Australia operated with the Ansett group.