The Fokker Friendship

My first flight...

Robin Capper

Robin Capper

— 1 min read
Share
The Fokker Friendship
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Fokker Friendship F27 passing (a bit close) Mt Ruapehu. I could not find NAC Livery for it, but this has similar colours as NAC varied between red & red/orange

I don't remember exactly, but guess 1973'ish, that a National Airways Corporation (NAC) Fokker Friendship was the first aircraft 6 or 7-year-old me flew on.

I'm pretty sure it was from Auckland to Palmerston North, as remember seeing Mt Ruapehu from the air, and Dad used to fix printing machines there.

✈️
National Airways Corporation (NAC) was the national domestic airline of New Zealand until 1978 when it amalgamated—reluctantly—with New Zealand's international airline, Air New Zealand (itself formerly Tasmin Empire Airways Limited TEAL). They operated 24 Fokker Friendship from 1960 until 1990.

What I do remember, mostly from the outside observation deck of the old terminal (the soon to be replaced 'Temporary' 1960's Domestic Terminal), is the scream of the Rolls Royce Dart turboprop engine/propellor combo captured in this short video history. It mentions NAC, which is how this post happened!

F27 History

Fokker Friendship
ZK-BXG in original National Airways Corporation scheme, Dunedin, 1960s. (photographer unknown via Dave’s Old Slides on Flickr) ZK-BXG in National Airways Corporation/Air New Zealand Hyb…
Ferrymead Aeronautical Society

The Õtautahi Christchurch Ferrymead Aeronautical Society are restoring F27-100 ZK-BXG (constructor’s number 10189) built in 1960, and entered service with NAC in 1961. Their page has some historic photos of it in various NAC, NAC/Air NZ transitional, and Air NZ Livery.

Read more