Fokker
Fokker F26
The Fokker F26 was a Dutch‑designed, twin‑engine airliner conceived by the Fokker Aircraft Company in the late 1930s as a modern successor to the aging F.VII fleet. Development began in 1936 under the direction of chief designer Dr. H. C. Verwey, who aimed to combine robust all‑metal construction with the aerodynamic efficiency of a low‑wing monoplane. The prototype, completed in early 1939, featured a streamlined fuselage, retractable landing gear, and variable‑pitch propellers driven by two Bristol Pegasus radial engines delivering 850 hp each. Its pressurised cabin could accommodate 30‑35 passengers and a crew of three, while offering improved comfort through insulated flooring and large, panoramic windows.
Although a limited production run was planned, the outbreak of World War II halted further manufacturing; only a single example ever flew, completing a modest test program that demonstrated superior fuel economy and a cruising speed of 290 km/h. The F26’s design concepts—particularly its all‑metal airframe, retractable gear and cabin pressurisation—directly influenced post‑war European airliners, paving the way for the successful Fokker F27 Friendship. As a transitional model, the F26 remains a noteworthy milestone in the evolution of commercial aviation, embodying the shift from wood‑and‑fabric biplanes to sleek, metal monoplanes.
Although a limited production run was planned, the outbreak of World War II halted further manufacturing; only a single example ever flew, completing a modest test program that demonstrated superior fuel economy and a cruising speed of 290 km/h. The F26’s design concepts—particularly its all‑metal airframe, retractable gear and cabin pressurisation—directly influenced post‑war European airliners, paving the way for the successful Fokker F27 Friendship. As a transitional model, the F26 remains a noteworthy milestone in the evolution of commercial aviation, embodying the shift from wood‑and‑fabric biplanes to sleek, metal monoplanes.