Avro 748
Avro / Hawker Siddeley · United Kingdom · first flew 1960 · airliner
The Avro 748 (later HS 748) is a low-wing twin-Dart regional airliner seating 40-52 passengers, designed as a rugged DC-3 replacement able to operate from rough strips in developing-world conditions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Circular fuselage cross-section with large square windows and a distinctive nose with two tiny cockpit windows |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low tapered wing with two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops — unusual low-wing layout for a rugged DC-3 replacement
- Circular fuselage cross-section with large square windows and a distinctive nose with two tiny cockpit windows
- Ventral rear airstairs beneath the conventional tail for independent ground operation
Low wing and two Dart turboprops distinguish it from the high-wing Herald and Fokker F27. The wide circular fuselage with its distinctive round porthole-style cockpit windows and ventral rear stairs are the primary recognition cues; it looks broader and more deliberately tough than a Fokker F27.
Specifications
- The Avro 748 has a length of 20.42 m (67 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 30.02 m (98 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 452 km/h (281 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Avro flew the prototype on 24 June 1960 and the type entered BEA service in 1962. Hawker Siddeley took over the programme as the HS 748, eventually building over 380 aircraft including licensed production by Hindustan Aeronautics in India. Its strong floor, ventral stairs and low-wing stance made it popular with military and parachuting operators.
Variants
The Series 1 gave way to the Series 2 and 2A with uprated Dart 532 engines; the Series 2B brought further improvements. The military Andover transport variant had a redesigned rear-loading ramp and kneeling undercarriage. The Coastguarder maritime patrol conversion served several operators.
Where you'll see it
British Airways used the 748 on Scottish island and Highlands routes, and Loganair operated the type on Orkney and Shetland services for many years. Dan-Air, British Midland and Jersey European all flew 748s on UK domestic and European routes.
Related aircraft
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