Project Turkishwings

In 2012 Turkey and the Netherlands are celebrating 400 years of diplomatic relations between them. SICA and Turkije Instituut are commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate the 'Turkey-the Netherlands 2012' program . The Turkey-the Netherlands 2012 program however does not include the aviation relations between the two countries. With project "Turkishwings', we hope that we can make a contribution to the program of Turkey-Netherlands 2012.

The relations of Turkey and the Netherlands in the aviation sector started in 1915 with the arrival of the Fokker E.I "Eindecker" for the Ottoman Air Force, followed by nine Fokker E.III in 1916, eight Fokker D.I in November 1917 and seven Fokker D-VII in October 1918. In 19.., the Turkish Air Force ordered one Koolhoven FK49A surveillance aircraft. The aircraft (TC-HRT) got a broader, longer nose, enlarged tail unit and two  Hirt inverted-V engines.

The first commercial Fokker aircraft was a Fokker F27-100 Friendship for Turkish Airlines. The airline ordered five Fokker F27-100 Friendship and five Fairchild F-27 type turboprops to retire its aging fleet of Douglas DC-3/C-47 type aircraft. In 1973 they were replaced with Fokker F28 Fellowship jetliners, of which seven were ordered. However, only five were delivered. A sixth aircraft (ex AeroPeru toestel) were leased for a period of two months.

The main goal of this project is to buy and maintain ex Turkish Airlines aircraft. The first two aircraft to be purchased are a Fokker F27 Friendship (TC-TEK/PH-FCX) and a Fokker F28 Fellowship (TC-JAZ/C-FCRU). These aircraft will be used for special 'heritage' and demo flights (if the status of the aircraft allows this) and static displays.

More information about this project will be published soon...