Air-Britain Archive 4-1992

The Fokker F.26 Phantom was considered as a study project and was never built. Fokker and KLM wanted to investigate the economic feasibility and the technical problems of a jet airliner. It was an all-metal, low-wing 17 passenger transport with a pressurised cabin. Proposed power units were RR Nenes, the most powerful available at the time, located under the forward fuselage for ease of maintenance. Underwing flaps were intended but no details of the tricycle undercarriage were revealed, indeed it would have required very long legs because of the engine location. Crew was three, 2 pilots and a rear-facing radio operator. Passenger seating was in 6 rows of two on the right side and one on the left, with one seat for a steward/ess. The aft cabin contained a toilet and freight compartment. Length was 50'6", wingspan 59'9", loaded weight 25,360 lb and range 620 mis at 500 mph.
  Despite the large number of war-surplus transports available there were positive airline reactions to the jet airliner concept and Fokker produced further design proposals. High development costs led to discussions with other manufacturers, including De Havilland, but by 10.49 the Netherlands Institute for Aircraft Development announced a jet/turboprop comparative study which in due course resulted in the F.27 Friendship.