De Havilland Aircraft of Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Shorts Brothers 330 to fly at Farnborough in 1974 at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, marking a significant milestone in the history of this aircraft family.
This event highlights the enduring legacy of these aircraft, showcasing its evolution over the past five decades, technological advancements, and its impact on the aerospace industry.
The Short 330, a 30-seat twin-turboprop aircraft designed and manufactured by the Shorts Brothers, originated from the Short Skyvan. Following the successful introduction of the Short 330.
Shorts Brothers saw potential for it to be utilized in military utility applications, and in the early 1980s launched a number of versions of the Sherpa, which incorporated several modifications including strengthened cabin floors and a full-width rear ramp door. De Havilland Canada acquired the SD 3-60 C-23B+ Sherpa in 2019 following its service in the US Army.
In total, over 450 Short Skyvan and Short 330/360/Sherpa aircraft were produced in Shorts Brothers, at Sydenham Airport ,Belfast, Northern Ireland, and nearly one-third are still active today.
The Sherpa is an important part of the family of De Havilland Canada aircraft and plans to reintroducing the type to customers to gauge market interest in the coming months.
Image Credit: De Havilland Aircraft
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 31 July 2024 All Rights Reserved
