The Aircraft of British Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS 1977 - 2017 25employed in communications flying, at
Boscombe Down and with the ETPS.
A military freighter version of the
standard HS748 entered production in
the 1970s with a large side-opening
freight door and optional strengthened
floor which could be opened in flight for
paratroop or supply dropping and had
accommodation for up to 58 troops. The
aircraft already had rapidly
interchangeable passenger, passenger/
cargo and all-cargo role capabilities, but
the large cargo door allowed operators to
load bulkier cargo items and light
vehicles. Many other military roles were
undertaken by the HS748 including;
aeromedical evacuation, navigation
trainer and communications flying.
Military 748 Operators were: Argentina,
Australia, Brunei, Belgium, Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, South
Korea, Thailand and Zambia.
The 748 also proved popular as a VIP
and executive transport and was used as
a personal aircraft by the Heads of State of
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Thailand,
Venezuela, Zambia, and the United
Kingdom. It was also used as a VIP/
communications aircraft by the air forces
of Brazil, Australia, India and the United
Kingdom.The 748 and iTs successor – The aTP
XS605 was delivered as an Andover C1 in September 1966. It was converted to an E3 for radio and airport navigation aid calibration in 1984. (Avro Heritage)
The HS748 becomes
the BAe748
Just as the Avro 748 had become the
Hawker Siddeley 748 following Hawker
Siddeley’s rationalisation, with the
formation British Aerospace in 1977 it was
rebranded as the BAe 748. By then more
than 250 748s were in service and flying
hours were well past the two-million-hour
mark. Production was then around 18
aircraft a year, mainly for military
customers and for government use.
Aircraft had been sold to some 60 military
and civil operators, providing a firm base
for re-orders. Conversion from passenger
to an all-freight layout could be achieved
in 15 minutes. Operating at its maximum
take-off weight of 45,087lb, the 748 could
carry its maximum payload of just over
11,000lb for 540nm with reserves.
In a competitive market place
development had to continue and the
basis for the BAe 748 2B was the uprated
Dart 536 with 2,280shp fitted with 12ft
propellers. Wingspan was extended to
102ft 5in and avionics and sound
proofing were upgraded. G-BGJV, theThe sole Coastguarder G-BCDZ, a sensible development of the 748 which surprisingly failed to make any sales. It
flew in February 1977 and was eventually converted back to a standard 748 configuration in 1980. (Avro Heritage) D-AFSJ flying
over Woodford. It
was delivered to the
German
Department of
Flight Safety in April- (Avro Heritage)