The first Hawker Siddeley HS 748 (G-APZV) made its first flight on this day in 1960.
Originally designed by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd it was built by Hawker Siddeley Aviation (which took over A.V. Roe Ltd. later in 1960), British Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics (89 airframes built, with the first flight of an Indian built aircraft in 191) and is well known as the HS748 as the majority were built under control of Hawker Siddeley Aviation. The aircraft became a replacement for some Douglas DC-3 aircraft, especially in some remote areas of the world. It was designed with operations from short and soft runways in mind and for that reason was fitted with large Fowler flaps and reliable Rolls Royce Dart engines which drove (reverse thrust capable) propellors. Construction of the HS 748 continued at BAe Woodford (Cheshire, UK) until the 1st of December 1988 when the last built aircraft made its first flight. The aircraft saw use with a large variety of operators, ranging from civil to (para)military users. A total of 10 variants were produced: 748 Series 1 – (24 built) The original Avro 748 twin-engined short / medium-range airliner, powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart Mk 514 turboprop engines.
748 Series 2 – (111 built) The Series 2 entered production in 1961 with a higher take-off weight and Rolls Royce Dart Mk 531 engines.
748 Series 2A – (157 Built) Introduced in 1967, with a further increase in take-off weight and Rolls Royce Dart Mk 532 or 534 engines. The most popular variant.
748 Series 2B – (28 built) The main production model after Hawker-Siddeley was absorbed by British Aerospace, Featured a 4-foot increase in wingspan, increased gross weight, Rolls Royce Dart Mk 536 engines, a modernized cabin, and systems improvements.
Super 748 – (8 built) The same as the 2B but fitted with engine hush kits.
Hawker Siddeley HS780 Andover – (37 built) A modified version of the 748 design for the Royal Air Force.
Coastguarder – A maritime patrol version.
748 Andover Military passenger transport versions of the 748.[3]
HAL 748 – (89 built) Licence production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Bangalore India. Indian aircraft
HAL 748 Series 2M Production for the Indian Air Force (the last 20 built) was Series 2M aircraft with a large freight door.
Some aircraft specifications for the Hush kit equipped Super 748
Crew: 2 plus 1 passenger attendant (if required)
Capacity: 40–58 passengers / 11,323 lb (5,136 kg) payload
Length: 67 ft 0 in (20.42 m)
Wingspan: 102 ft 5.5 in (31.229 m)
Height: 24 ft 10 in (7.57 m)
Empty weight: 27,126 lb (12,304 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 46,500 lb (21,092 kg)
Fuel capacity: 1,440 imp gal (1,730 US gal; 6,500 l) in two wing integral tanks
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce RDa.7 Dart Mk 536-2 turboprop engines, 2,280 shp (1,700 kW) each equivalent
Propellers: 4-bladed Dowty Rotol constant-speed fully-feathering propellers, 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) diameter
Cruise speed: 244 kn (281 mph, 452 km/h)
Range: 926 nmi (1,066 mi, 1,715 km) (with max payload)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
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