Fokker F-27 Friendship
South Australian Aviation Museum September 2025
Fokker F-27-109 Friendship — VH-CAT
Fokker F-27 Friendship VH-CAT first flew at Amsterdam in September 1959. Handed over to the Department of Civil Aviation it continued in Government service until 31 March 1978. In July 1978 it transferred to the CSIRO Division of Cloud Physics in Tamworth and named Cyrano. CSIRO used the F27 for various atmospheric research projects. In November 1993 the aircraft moved to Australian Flight Test Services relocating to Parafield Airfield north of Adelaide. VH-CAT continued in a research and flight testing role until 2001. Following an ownership change, it fell into disuse. SAAM acquired the aircraft in February 2008.
On 13 December 2008 the aircraft moved from Parafield Airport to the Museum. Two Rolls Royce Dart engines and propellers along with various cockpit instruments completed the aircraft’s restoration. In 2013 the CSIRO kindly donated various items of equipment and external probes to partly restore the aircraft back to its flight testing days.
HARS – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Nov 2021
