Stephen Skinner looks at the capabilities and career of this rugged twin-engine aircraft.
A STOL STORY
The Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer ticked plenty of boxes when it came to establishing a market for a new aircraft in the 1950s. It could land in remarkably confined spaces and was well suited to many military roles.
Spectators at Farnborough Air Show in September 1955 were wowed when they saw the prototype G-ANTP making its first public demonstrations.
People were impressed by its very short take-off, climb and landing performance. Here was a 16-passenger, twin-engined, feederliner which could unstick at 60mph (96.5km/h) from 250ft (76m) of tarmac and land with a ground roll of a mere 180ft (55m). Everything looked set for success for Scottish Aviation Limited (SAL).
The company had been founded in 1935, when it embarked on a pilot training programme, but aircraft repairs became a staple after the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939.
It worked on many types, including the Short Sunderland and Blackburn Skua. The company also built components for Hurricanes, and 1,200 Spitfires were reworked at its Prestwick base in southwest Scotland. Post-war the company turned its experience to converting Dakotas to civil use.
