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Short SC.7 Skyvan
1963 transport aircraft family by Short Brothers

The Short SC.7 Skyvan (nicknamed the "Flying Shoebox") is a British 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft first flown in 1963, that was manufactured by Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Featuring a basic rugged design and STOL capabilities, it was used in small numbers by airlines, and also by some smaller air forces. In more recent years the remaining examples were mostly used for short-haul freight and skydiving.

The Short 330 and Short 360 are regional airliners developed from the original SC.7.

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Design and development

In 1958, Short was approached by F.G. Miles Ltd (successor company to Miles Aircraft) which was seeking backing to produce a development of the Hurel-Dubois Miles HDM.106 Caravan design with a high aspect ratio wing similar to that of the Hurel-Dubois HD.31. Short acquired the design and data gathered from trials of the Miles Aerovan based HDM.105 prototype. After evaluating the Miles proposal, Short rejected the Caravan.2 They developed their own design for a utility all-metal aircraft which was called the Short SC.7 Skyvan. The Skyvan is a twin-engined all-metal, high-wing monoplane, with a braced, high aspect ratio wing, and an unpressurised, square-section fuselage with twin fins and rudders.3 It was popular with freight operators compared to other small aircraft because of its large rear door for loading and unloading freight. Its fuselage resembles the shape of a railroad boxcar for simplicity and efficiency.

Construction started at Sydenham Airport in 1960, and the first prototype first flew on 17 January 1963, powered by two Continental piston engines.4 Later in 1963, the prototype was re-engined with the intended Turbomeca Astazou II turboprop engines of 520 shp (390 kW);5 the second prototype (the first Series 2 Skyvan) was initially fitted with Turbomeca Astazou X turboprop engines of 666 shp (497 kW) but subsequently the initial production version was powered by Turbomeca Astazou XII turboprop engines of 690 shp (510 kW). In 1967, it was found that the Astazou XII was temperature limited at high altitudes.6 Consequently, in 1968, production switched to the Skyvan Series 3 aircraft, which replaced the Astazou engines with Garrett AiResearch TPE331 turboprops of 715 shp (533 kW). A total of 149 Skyvans (including the two prototypes)7 were produced before production ended in 1986.

Operational history

Skyvans served widely in both military and civilian operations, and the type remained in service in 2009 with a number of civilian operators, and in military service in Guyana and Oman.

Skyvans continue to be used in limited numbers for air-to-air photography and for skydiving operations. In 1970, Questor Surveys of Toronto Canada converted the first of two Skyvan 3s for aerial geological survey work. The Collier Mosquito Control District uses Skyvans for aerial spraying.8 NASA operated a single Skyvan at Wallops Island Flight Facility between 1979 and 1995, which was used to perform aerial recovery of parachute-borne payloads ejected from high-altitude balloons.

Skyvan G-BEOL appeared in the film Kingsmen: The Secret Service as the aircraft trainee kingsmen skydived from.

Variants

Skyvan 1 prototype, one built. 2 × Continental GTSIO-520 engines. Skyvan 1A re-engined 1st prototype. 2 × 388 kW (520 hp) Turbomeca Astazou II engines. Skyvan 2 Turbomeca Astazou powered production. 8 Series 2 produced (including the second prototype). Skyvan 3 Garrett TPE331 powered production. 140 produced (of all Series 3 versions) plus 2 Series 2 were converted.9 Skyvan 3A higher gross weight version (MTOW 6,214 kg, 13,700 lb).10 Skyvan 3M-100, -200, -400 military transport versions with higher gross weights; 3M-200 (MTOW 6,804 kg, 15,000 lb); 3M-400 as per Skyvan 3A.11 Used for supply dropping, assault transport, dropping paratroops, troop transport, cargo transport, casualty evacuation, plus search and rescue missions.12 Skyliner 3A-100 deluxe all-passenger version, large cargo door removed, cabin accessed through standard size side door.13 Seavan Maritime patrol version, single example (serial '915', SH.1942) used by the Sultan of Oman's Air Force / Royal Air Force of Oman (SOAF / RAFO) (conversion from basic 3M-400)14

Operators

Civilian operators

Former (airline) operators

Current operators

Skyvans still active in 2022–2024 include19

  • Collier Mosquito Control District (FL): N642M, N643M, N644M 20
  • Perris Skydive (CA): SH.1859, 1885, 1907, 1911,
  • Pink Aviation (Austria): SH.1881, 1932, 1964
  • Skydive Deland (FL): SH.1842
  • Skyforce (Poland): SP-HOP (SH.1906), (sister ship SP-HIP SH.1962 written off 3 Sept 2022),21 Ayit Aviation (Israel) 4X-AGP / SH.1893,22
  • Win Aviation (USA): Up to nine Skyvans2324

Military operators

 Guyana
  • Guyana Defence Force - Five acquired 1979-81, believed non-operational (2019). Two additional second-hand examples acquired in June, 2019.2526
 Oman

Former military operators

 Argentina  Austria  Botswana  Ciskei  Ecuador  Gambia  Ghana  Indonesia  Japan  Lesotho  Malawi  Mauritania  Mexico  Nepal  Panama  Singapore  Thailand  United Arab Emirates  Yemen

Specification (Skyvan 3)

Data from Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994-9537

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1–2
  • Capacity: 19 passengers
  • Length: 12.21 m (40 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 19.79 m (64 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 35.12 m2 (378.0 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 3,331 kg (7,344 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 1,109 L (244 imp gal; 293 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-2-201A turboprops, 533 kW (715 shp) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell HC-B3TN-5/T10282H variable-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 324 km/h (201 mph, 175 kn) max cruise at 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn) econ cruise at 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
  • Stall speed: 111 km/h (69 mph, 60 kn) flaps down, EAS
  • Never exceed speed: 402 km/h (250 mph, 217 kn) EAS
  • Range: 1,115 km (693 mi, 602 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,858 m (22,500 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 8.3 m/s (1,640 ft/min)
  • Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft): 482 m (1,581 ft) (STOL)
  • Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): 567 m (1,860 ft) (STOL)

See also

  • UK portal
  • Aviation portal

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

  • Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4.
  • Hoyle, Craig (13–19 December 2011). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. pp. 26–52. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Hoyle, Craig (10–16 December 2013). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 184, no. 5419. pp. 24–51. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Jackson, A. J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft Since 1919 (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
  • Michell, Simon, ed. (1994). Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994-95 (Second ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1982). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
  • Media related to Short Skyvan at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. "Your Place And Mine - Topics - Transport - The Flying Shoebox - The Shorts Skyvan". Archived from the original on 20 August 2004. https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/topics/transport/A957558.shtml ↩

  2. Barnes 1990, pp. 477–478 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  3. Barnes 1990, pp. 478–481 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  4. Barnes 1990, p. 481 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  5. Barnes 1990, p. 482 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  6. Barnes 1990, pp. 486–487 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  7. Barnes 1990, pp. 531–533 - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  8. "Collier Mosquito Control District 2019 Open House". https://www.winknews.com/events/collier-mosquito-control-district-2019-open-house/ ↩

  9. Barnes 1990, p. 488. - Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1990). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. ↩

  10. "Aircraft Register Search 'G-BAIT'". caa.co,uk. Retrieved 11 August 2024. https://www.caa.co.uk/aircraft-register/g-info/search-g-info/ ↩

  11. "Aircraft Register Search 'G-BCFJ' (to Ghana AF)". caa.co,uk. Retrieved 11 August 2024. https://www.caa.co.uk/aircraft-register/g-info/search-g-info/ ↩

  12. "Short SC7 Skyvan". aircraftrecognitionguide. Retrieved 9 August 2024. https://aircraftrecognitionguide.com/short-sc7-skyvan ↩

  13. "Short SC7 Skyvan". aircraftrecognitionguide. Retrieved 9 August 2024. https://aircraftrecognitionguide.com/short-sc7-skyvan ↩

  14. "Oman AF SC.7 Skyvan '915'". airhistory.net. Retrieved 12 August 2024. https://www.airhistory.net/photo/428146/915 ↩

  15. Bucher, F.E.; Klee, Ueli (1977). JP Airline-Fleets. Zurich Airport: Editions JP. p. 10. ↩

  16. "Loganair - BBC article dated 27 Dec 2022". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-63505252 ↩

  17. "SX-BBN (read photo caption)". airliners.net. Retrieved 4 August 2024. https://www.airliners.net/photo/Olympic/Short-SC-7-Skyvan-3-400/1445806 ↩

  18. "Papuan Airlines - Photo showing two Skyvans at Port Moresby, PNG". airhistory.net. Retrieved 4 August 2024. https://www.airhistory.net/photo/152580/VH-PNJ ↩

  19. "SC.7 Skyvan photos, date ordered". airhistory.net. Retrieved 6 August 2024. https://www.airhistory.net/pub/show.php?type_basic_id=1164&sort_by=sort_date_desc ↩

  20. "Collier Mosquito Control District adds new airplane and helicopter to fleet". Collier Mosquito Control District. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2025. https://cmcd.org/collier-mosquito-control-district-adds-new-airplane-and-helicopter-to-fleet/ ↩

  21. "SP-HIP accident 3 September 2022". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 6 August 2024. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/318767 ↩

  22. "Short Skyvan 4X-AGP". jetphotos.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11326979 ↩

  23. "Win Aviation Fleet details". Win Aviation. Retrieved 12 August 2024. https://winaviation.com/our-fleet/ ↩

  24. "SC-7 Skyvan Specifications & Capability Statement (pdf)" (PDF). Win Aviation. Retrieved 12 August 2024. https://winaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SC-7_Skyvan_Capability_Statement_05-2024.pdf ↩

  25. "Guyana gets Skyvans (2019)". keymilitary.com. Retrieved 6 August 2024. https://www.keymilitary.com/article/guyana-gets-skyvans ↩

  26. Hoyle 2013, p. 38 - Hoyle, Craig (10–16 December 2013). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 184, no. 5419. pp. 24–51. ISSN 0015-3710. https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0015-3710 ↩

  27. Hoyle 2013, p. 43 - Hoyle, Craig (10–16 December 2013). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 184, no. 5419. pp. 24–51. ISSN 0015-3710. https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0015-3710 ↩

  28. Taylor 1982, p. 271 - Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1982). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2. ↩

  29. "Death Flight plane to return to Argentina". theguardian.com. Retrieved 9 August 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/24/argentina-dictatorship-death-flight-plane-return-from-us ↩

  30. "Skyvan 5S-TA at Zeltweg May 2024". airhistory.net. Retrieved 6 August 2024. https://www.airhistory.net/photo/696102/5S-TA ↩

  31. "Short SC.7 SRS 3M "Skyvan"" (in German). Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316004418/http://gotech.at/skyvan.htm ↩

  32. "Ghana Air Force". Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20090525115625/http://www.ghanaairforce.com/ ↩

  33. Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert (2018). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare Over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-912390-35-9. 978-1-912390-35-9 ↩

  34. The UAE is a federation of 7 Sheikdoms, each of which maintain a small army known as the Amiri Guard. One of which, the Emirate of Sharjah, purchased two Skyvan 3M's in the 1970's, and then sold them to the UAE air force in 1995.[33] /wiki/Emirate_of_Sharjah ↩

  35. "Air Force Magazine". Air Force Association. July 1996. Retrieved 25 January 2024. https://books.google.com/books?id=Ong5vNzvuBwC&dq=%22Sharjah+Amiri+Guard%22&pg=RA3-PA72 ↩

  36. Cooper, Tom (2017). Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962-1994. Solihull, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-912174-23-2. 978-1-912174-23-2 ↩

  37. Michell 1994, pp. 228–229 - Michell, Simon, ed. (1994). Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994-95 (Second ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7. ↩