British Aerospace (Hawker-Siddeley/Avro) 748
In the 1960s many manufacturers were looking to finally replace the Douglas DC-3, and the aircraft that were meant as replacement, like the Convair 340. Avro designed model 748, a fifty seat Rolls Royce Dart powered turboprop aircraft. Soon after, the company merged with Hawker-Siddeley and the aircraft became known as the HS748. The final manufacturer to build the aircraft was British Aerospace, as the BAe748.
Like the contemporary Fokker F27 the propliner has large oval cabin windows. The rounded nacelles are typically suited for the Dart engines and also leave room for the main gear. The nose is quite round, with as finishing touch narrow eyebrow cockpit windows. Finally, the tail has a forward swept trailing edge and a big dorsal fin.
Different versions
The different versions of the HS748 can be distinguished by looking at
- the shape of the rear fuselage
- the shape of the wing tips
- the presence of a light under the nose
- the number of cabin windows
- the dihedral angle of the horizontal stabilisers
Avro/HS748 Series 1, Series 2 & Series 2A and HAL-748
The Series 1, 2 and 2A of the 748 only differ in exact engine version, but all of the Dart. All could be fitted with a cargo door on the left side of the rear fuselage, sliding forward. This Large Freight Door (LFD) was particularly to appease military customers. Series 1 and 2 were manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) of India.
In Royal Air Force service the Series 2A was designated Andover CC2. The Brazilians called it C-91.
British Aerospace 748 Series 2B
The only version produced by British Aerospace, is the Series 2B. Apart from having more powerfull Dart engines and a modernised interior, the wing span was increased as well, by about 60 cm on both side. Additionally, the is a small dent in the trailing edge of the tip.
HAL-748 Series 2M
HAL was the producer of the dedicated military transport version, the Series 2M. Apart from a large cargo door it also has fewer cabin windows than the standard Series 2.
The Indian Air Force is the only operator of the HAL built 748 Series 2M. Apart from having a large freight door (LFD) it has fewer cabin windows that other versions. (photo: Nisarg Vyas/WikiMedia)
HS748 Coastguarder
Hawker-Siddeley offered a maritime patrol version of the 748, marketed as the Coastguarder. It could be based on the Series 1, 2 and 2A. Just one demonstrator was built. Obvisously it has a bulge underneath the front fuselage to house the search radar.
The Coastguarder version of the HS748 is clearly distinguished by the radome underneath the front fuselage. (photo: Steve Fitzgerald/WikiMedia)
HS780 Andover C1 & C1(PR)
In response to an RAF request for a medium-size military transport Avro modified the prototype 748 into the Avro 748MF, of military freighter. It has an upswept rear fuselage and rear loading ramp as main feature, but also horizontal stabilisers with dihedral, larger diameter four blade propellers and a kneeling landing gear to facilitate (un)loading. The production version was designated HS780, and Andover C1 by the Royal Air Force.
One of the Andover C1 s was converted to C1(PR), of Photo Reconnaissance. It was the UK Open Skies aircraft. Externally, it appears not different from the standard Andover C1.
The Andover C1 is longer than the standard HS748, and has an upswept rear fuselage with loading ramp. Also note the horizontal stabilisers with dihedral.
HS780 Andover E3 & Andover E3A
The Andover E3 was a navigation beacon calibration version of the Andover C1. On the outside the only difference was a light underneath the nose, but there are also versions without. The latter are probably designated E3A, and these also lack an inertial navigation system on board. In any case, both versions have a bright red and white colour scheme.
The Andover E3 is externally the same as the Andover C1, except for the light popping out under the nose. (photo: Pedro Aragão/WikiMedia)
The colours reveal that this is an Andover E3, and judging the lack of a light under the nose it should be an Andover E3A.
Confusion possible with
British Aerospace ATP
Of course you are most likely to mix-up the British Aerospace 748 and ATP, as the ATP was derived from the 748. The ATP is longer, has a more pointed nose, more but smaller, rectangular cabin windows, different nacelles, six blade props and a swept trailing edge of the vertical stabiliser.
NAMC YS-11
The YS-11 is larger than the 748 and has many small rectangular cabin windows, but otherwise looks just like the 748. Except for the eyebrow cockpit window though.
Grumman G.159 Gulfstream I
Although a bit smaller, the Gulfstream I has many similar elements as the 748, especially the engine nacelles. However, you can easily keep them apart by the fewer but much larger oval cabin windows of the Gulf.
Convairliner family
Given the same basic configuration the Convairliners could be mixed up with the 748, but this is less likely given the rectangular cabin windows, more curved leading edge of the vertical stabiliser and dorsal fin, different nacelles and upward opening cabin door of the Convair 240, 340, 440, 580 and 600/640.