Fokker

Fokker. Founded by the pioneering aviator Anthony Fokker in Germany in 1912, the company became one of the most significant aircraft manufacturers of the 20th century. It rose to prominence during the First World War by producing iconic fighter aircraft for the Imperial German Army Air Service, before re-establishing itself in the Netherlands to become a major force in civil aviation. The company's legacy spans revolutionary military designs, pioneering commercial airliners, and a series of corporate transformations that ended with its bankruptcy in the 1990s.

History

The company's origins trace to Anthony Fokker's first workshop in Berlin, where he built his initial aircraft, the Spin. With the outbreak of the First World War, production shifted to Schwerin, supplying the Imperial German Army Air Service with fighters like the Eindecker, which initiated the "Fokker Scourge." After the Treaty of Versailles forbade aircraft manufacturing in Germany, Fokker moved operations to the Netherlands, establishing a new factory near Amsterdam. The interwar period saw success with aircraft like the F.VII trimotor, used by pioneers such as Charles Kingsford Smith and Richard E. Byrd. During the Second World War, the company operated under German occupation, and post-war, it regained stature by manufacturing trainers for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and developing the successful F27 Friendship turboprop. The later decades involved partnerships with American firms like General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas, but financial struggles culminated in bankruptcy in 1996, with its assets divided among Stork B.V., the German Aerospace Center, and Airbus.

Aircraft

The company's product line evolved from wood-and-fabric biplanes to advanced jet airliners. Its early fame was cemented by First World War fighters, notably the Dr.I triplane flown by Manfred von Richthofen and the D.VII, which was so formidable it was specifically demanded for surrender in the Armistice of 11 November 1918. The interwar era was defined by rugged transport aircraft, with the F.VII and F.XVIII serving airlines globally, including KLM and Pan Am. Post-war, the F27 Friendship became the world's most successful turboprop airliner, while the F28 Fellowship jet found a niche in regional markets. Its final projects were the advanced Fokker 50 turboprop and the Fokker 100 jet, developed in collaboration with McDonnell Douglas, before production ceased.

Innovations and technology

The company was renowned for its practical and often revolutionary engineering solutions. A key early innovation was the development of a synchronized machine gun interrupter gear, allowing safe firing through the propeller arc, which provided a major tactical advantage. Designer Reinhold Platz pioneered the use of thick, cantilevered wings without external bracing, first seen on the D.VIII, which improved structural integrity and performance. In the civil realm, the F.VII helped prove the viability of multi-engine reliability for long-distance travel. Later, the F27 incorporated a high-wing design and large freight door that became an industry standard for regional aircraft, while the Fokker 100 featured advanced fly-by-wire systems and efficient Rolls-Royce Tay engines.

Corporate affairs and legacy

Following its bankruptcy, the company's operations were fragmented. The Fokker 100 support division became Fokker Services, later acquired by Dutch Space and then GKN Aerospace. The Fokker 50 and Fokker 60 programs were sold to Stork B.V., which continued manufacturing components. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) maintained the ATRA research aircraft. The Fokker brand name has been revived multiple times, including for the aerospace supplier Fokker Technologies, which was purchased by GKN in 2015. The historical significance of its aircraft is preserved in museums worldwide, such as the Aviodrome in Lelystad and the Smithsonian.

Notable accidents and incidents

Aircraft from the company have been involved in several significant aviation accidents. A Fokker F.VIIb/3m named the "Southern Cross" was famously involved in a non-fatal emergency landing in the Australian outback during a 1929 flight. A Fokker F27 operating as Indian Airlines Flight 257 crashed in 1991 near Imphal, resulting in the loss of all on board. The Fokker 100 experienced notable accidents, including the crash of TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 in São Paulo in 1996, and the controlled flight into terrain of Crossair Flight 3597 near Zürich in 2000. These events contributed to ongoing discussions about aircraft systems and pilot training in regional jet operations.

Category:Aerospace companies of the Netherlands Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers Category:Companies established in 1912