Fokker F.IX

The Fokker F.IX was a three‑engine high‑wing monoplane developed by the Dutch aircraft builder Fokker in the early 1920s. Conceived as a long‑range airliner to replace the company’s earlier F.VII, the prototype first flew in 1921 and entered service with KLM the following year. Powered by three 440 hp Bristol Jupiter radial engines, the F.IX could carry up to twelve passengers and a crew of two, offering a cruising speed of about 170 km/h (105 mph) and a range exceeding 1,200 km, which was notable for commercial operations of the era. Its all‑metal fuselage and wooden wing structure combined Fokker’s traditional construction techniques with emerging aerodynamic refinements, such as a cantilever wing and blunt‑nose design that reduced drag. The aircraft proved reliable on the challenging Amsterdam‑Batavia route, establishing the first regular intercontinental passenger service and demonstrating the viability of multi‑engine transport planes. Although production was limited to only a handful of examples, the F.IX’s operational success influenced later Fokker models like the F.10 and helped cement the Netherlands’ reputation as a pioneer in early airline aviation. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for reliability and as a stepping stone toward the more advanced, all‑metal airliners that defined the 1930s.

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