The international stock market crisis of 1929 and the resulting recession had an adverse affect on aircraft manufacture which continued for several years. Although in most cases orders already placed could be completed, new orders became scarce. This situation forced Fokker to look for a new 'niche' in the market.

The outcome of this in 1932 was the design of the F.XVII a small, fast single-engined aircraft suitable for mail, freight and passenger transport. The Technical Department put three variants on paper. The largest of these, the F.XVIIb for nine passengers, had streamlined covers around the main landing wheels.

This new aerodynamic feature was intended to reduce the air resistance of the undercarriage. In the conception of the F.XVII, Fokker followed the international design trends of the day. In the United States in 1932, similar aircraft under development were the Clark/General Aviation GA-43 and the Airplane Development Corporation V.1. Other examples of the trend such as the Lockheed Altair and Orion, had already flown.

In all cases the aircraft were heavy, fast, well streamlined and mostly of all-metal construction. The pilot was seated either in front of or behind the passenger cabin, but in any case higher than the passengers.

The cockpit was separate from the cabin and always enclosed. The designs were low or middle wing and included such features as an adjustablepitch propeller and a tail wheel.

Among airlines attracted to the Fokker design were the Swedish AB Aerotransport, the French CIDNA, and Swissair, although the latter eventually chose the Lockheed Orion, However, no orders matured for the F.XVII despite its very futuristic looks, and the aircraft was never built.