Hawker Siddeley 748

The Hawker Siddeley HS-748 was originally manufactured by Avro in the 1950’s, as the successor to the popular Douglas DC-3. The maiden flight of the Hawker Siddeley HS-748 was conducted on June 24, 1960, and the plane went into production at the end of August a year later. By the time production ended in 1988, 382 of the HS-748 airplanes had been delivered to customers all over the world. Some of those planes were constructed in India as well as in the United Kingdom. In India, production of the Hawker HS-748 was overseen by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. in Kanpur, India on behalf of the Indian government. Many Hawker Siddeley HS-748 airplanes remain in service for regional airlines in northern Canada, Europe, and other locations for hauling freight as well as for carrying passengers.

In 1935, the plane was renamed from the Avro to the Hawker-Siddeley when the company acquired several aviation companies based in the United Kingdom. Later, because of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act of 1977, Hawker-Siddeley merged with British Aerospace, though production of the HS-748 continued under the designation British Aerospace 748, or Bae748.

During its production life, the Hawker Siddeley HS-748 included Series 1, Series 2, Series 2A, and Series 2B. Each had successively more powerful engines and improved performance over earlier versions. Larger load capacity was gained, as was extended flying ranges.

While Series 1 aircraft were powered by 1600 HP Rolls Royce Dart 514 engines. Series 2 planes were shipped with 1910 HP Dart 531 engines. Series 2A, available in 1967, were powered by Rolls Royce Dart 532 engines.

Original Hawker Siddeley HS-748 specifications:

Cruise speed: 243 knots
Range: 904 miles
Length: 67′
Wingspan: 102′ 5″
Height: 24′ 10″
Maximum weight: 46,500 pounds
Empty weight: 38,500 pounds
Engine(s): Two Rolls Royce Dart RDa.7 Mk 552-2 turboprop engines
Rate of climb: 1,420′ per minute
Runway requirement: 3,720′
Crew: Two
Passenger: Up to 58

The final version of the Hawker Siddeley HS-748, the Series 2B, was powered by Dart 536-2 engines. The Hawker Siddeley 748 was developed separately as a military version of the plane and included a kneeling undercarriage as well as a rear loading ramp.