Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B
   
Fact Sheet
Aircraft Make & Model: Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B
MTOW: 43,500 lb.
Range: 450 statute miles
Speed: 295 mph
Seats: 43 passengers
Length: 83 ft.
Wingspan: 95 ft., 2 in.
Height: 27 ft., 6 in.
Engines: 2 Rolls Royce DART RDH7, MK532-7
HP or Thrust: 3,980 lbs.
No. flown by DL: 5
Routes flown: New York City and the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine
First delivery: July 13, 1966 to Northeast Airlines
First schedule service: September 7, 1966 with Northeast
August 1, 1972 with Delta
Reason acquired: Northeast merged with Delta
Last retirement: 1974
Reason disposed: Fleet standardization and route consolidation after Northeast merger

Technical Advances

High-wing turboprop designed for speed, comfort and economy, in serving smaller airports. Developed from the successful Dutch Fokker F.27 Friendship and built under license by Fairchild at Hagertown, Maryland.

fh-227b_northeast_serviceNortheast Service

Northeast put its first (of seven) FH-227B into service from Boston on September 7, 1966. The FH-227 replaced the airlines' DC-3 and DC-6B planes.

Short Delta Service

Northeast's FH-277B fleet came to Delta after the airlines merged on August 1, 1972. The FH-227B was the only turboprop passenger type ever used by Delta, but Delta also operated the turboprop all-cargo Lockheed L-100. The FH-227B fleet was sold to Air New England in December 1974.

Interior

The interior of the FH-227B was styled for Northeast Airlines by industrial design firm Raymond Loewy/William Snaith. The drapes and seats of patterned tapestries and tweeds were in warm, golden colors of terracotta, orange and oatmeal, "suggesting the richness of a New England harvest." Carpet was rust colored. The front bulkhead was in a simulated light wood paneling. Some interior trim was an off-white color, and the lavatory was finished in a rich yellow.

fh-227b_passenger_experiencePassenger Experience

The FH-227B was fully pressurized and air conditioned. Its high wings allowed room for unusually large windows with unobstructed views for passengers.

Other passenger conveniences:

  • Cabin door had an integral 6-step ramp.
  • Carry-on luggage racks
  • Bags in the hold unloaded quickly through a large ground-level door.
  • Auxiliary power unit provided air conditioning on the ground without outside power carts.

One of Northeast's early FH-277B passengers, a business commuter from Worcester, Massachusetts, said: "This is a very nice plane. I like the idea of being able to just walk aboard without having to climb up a ramp–and you can see out."

Audio & Pics

  • The Whistle Pig: FH-227B ads, photos, safety cards, sound files – visit web site »