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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1226.PDF
SCOTTISH AVIATION, LTD. Prestunck Airport, Ayrshire, Scotland. Telephone: Prestwick 79888 Prestwick Pioneer. Those who have seen the Pioneer perform at previous S.B.A.C. Displays have been astonished at the way in which this light transport almost rivals the helicopter in its short take-off and landing performance. It was, in fact, designed to a specification which required, primarily for Service use, a front-line communications and liaison aircraft which could be operated from small, rough strips not exceeding 100 yd. The specification called further for steep angles of approach and climb, and for an ability to withstand long periods left out in the open with the minimum of unskilled maintenance. The Pioneer met these requirements handsomely, and has proved its value with the R.A.F. operating from small jungle clearings in Malaya. The take-off run, fully loaded, is 75 yd, or 180 yd to clear a 50ft obstacle, and landing performance is equally impressive. The significance of this order of performance to commercial operators is obvious, and the Pioneer's success encouraged Scottish Aviation not only to offer a civil version, but also to develop a larger-capacity twin-engined machine. This is described below. Twin Pioneer. In this "double" development of the Pioneer Scottish Aviation have combined the remarkable field performance of the smaller machine with a commercial load of 16 passengers. It is true to say that no other aircraft than this, be it fixed-wing or rotary-wing, is able to fly 16 people off 250-yd strips (actual distance to unstick take-off run is 100 yd) for distances of up to 500 miles at a cost per passenger of three-halfpence a mile. The Twin Pioneer represents, in fact, an entirely new class of air transport vehicle and its attractions have become a factor of significance in the equipment policies of a large number of operators. It is clear that an aircraft of this type, and larger-capacity develop- ments, could, despite relatively low cruising speed, offer some remarkable city centre-to-ciry centre times, as well as bringing the benefits of air transport to communities in areas where prepared airfields do not abound. The Twin Pioneer's interior is unobstructed by structural members and is 19ft long with a headroom of 5ft 8in. Large rectangular windows, coupled with the high-wing arrangement, provide an excellent view. The first prototype has been flying since June 1955, having now flown more than 300 hr, and it was joined last April by a second machine. Others are approaching completion. All have been built in production jigs, and preparations are in hand at Prestwick for a run of 200 aircraft. Projects exist for a floatplane version, and for a freighter development. Turbo-Pioneer. Bearing this designation is a projected 40-passenger machine powered by two turboprops. FLIGHT 372-373 31 August 1956 Powerplant ... Aivi* Leeaides502/4 Span 49ft 9inLength 34ft 4jin Gross weight ... 5,8001b Max. speed _ 162mp.h. Photograph and drawing above show Prestwick Pioneer Powerplant ... Two AlvU Lee«ide»503/8 Span 76ft6inLength 45ft 3in Gross weight 13,5001bMax. speed ... ... 167 m.p.h. Drawing above and photograph below show Twin Pioneer ft**
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