The Fokker F27 began life in the 1950s as a replacement for the venerable Douglas DC-3. Its high-wing design and powerful Rolls-Royce Dart engines made it well suited to short, unpaved runways, while the low-slung fuselage enabled easy access for passenger boarding the 32-seat pressurised cabin. It made its maiden flight in November 1955 and the following year the Dutch aircraft manufacturer signed an agreement with US-based Fairchild to build F27s under licence. Aer Lingus was the launch customer for the type, taking delivery of its first example in 1958. It quickly gained popularity with various carriers worldwide and by the time production ended in 1987 a total of 793 had been built, and although most F27s have been withdrawn, a handful still remain in service today.
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