The Hawker Siddeley Andover HS-780 is a military variant of the HS748 civil transport. The HS748 was designed as a DC-3 replacement (and Fokker F-27 competitor) which first flew in June 1960. The military version, first flown in 1963, was a response to an RAF requirement for a medium tactical requirement (31 aircraft were eventually supplied). It shared the same wings and forward fuselage structure as the HS748, but the rear fuselage has been redesigned to incorporate clamshell doors, a loading ramp, and the main undercarriage has a 'kneeling' feature to lower the rear of the aircraft for freight operation. The aircraft had short take-off and landing performance and was capable of operating from 500m (1640ft) semi-prepared airstrips.
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