Short SC.7 Skyvan
Short Brothers · United Kingdom · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The Short SC.7 Skyvan is a twin-turboprop light STOL utility transport famous for its completely square cross-section fuselage, earning it the nickname 'flying shoebox'. Its rear loading ramp, high wing, and excellent short-field performance made it popular for parachuting, cargo, and rough-strip operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Extremely boxy square-section fuselage (flying shoebox) |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Extremely boxy square-section fuselage (flying shoebox)
- Twin-boom tail with high-set horizontal stabiliser
- Rear clamshell doors for direct vehicle and cargo loading
Unmistakable: the perfectly square fuselage cross-section, twin-boom tail, high straight wing with turboprop engines, and rear clamshell doors combine to create a completely unique silhouette unlike any other production aircraft.
Specifications
- The Short SC.7 Skyvan has a length of 12.21 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.79 m (65 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 327 km/h (203 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1963 initially with Continental piston engines, the Skyvan was quickly re-engined with turboprops and entered service in 1966. It found a niche in developing countries, island operators, and military forces requiring STOL performance.
Variants
Variants include the Skyvan 3 (Garrett TPE331 turboprops), Skyvan 3A (Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A), and the Skyvan 3M military version. The design evolved into the larger Short 330 and Short 360 commuter airliners.
Where you'll see it
Operated by military forces including the Sultan of Oman's Air Force, Yemen, Ecuador, and Austria, and by civil operators worldwide for cargo, parachuting, and STOL charter work.
Related aircraft
- Short Belfast
- Short Belfast C.1
- Short SB.6 Seamew
- Shorts 330
- Beechcraft King Air C90B
- Beechcraft U-21 Ute
- C-141 Starlifter
- Dassault Falcon 20
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