Aircraft Model (Name & Manufacturer)
Handley Page HPR.7 Dart Herald by Handley Page
Aircraft Category
Choose one: A / B / C / D / E / F
(Use ICAO wingspan aircraft classification) C Class: Wingspan of 28.89m
Purpose or Role in Game
Regional turboprop aircraft designed to be a short fast regional airliner.
Why should this aircraft be added?
What does it add to the game in terms of gameplay variety, realism, or strategy?It would add an historic airliner type to the game for use as a player aircraft and as special events, or if old airports appear int eh future, as a regular contract at them.
Airlines that use it
List a few major operators (real-world), especially those already in WoA.It was retired from commercial service in 1999 and passenger service earlier in 1989 so these will be past operators.
Currently in-game airlines,
British Midland (BMI).
Not in-game operators (Copied photo from wiki);
Special characteristics or variants
The prototype HPR.3 Herald which was very similar but with 4 engines instead of 2.Series 100, 4 built.
Series 200, fuselage stretched from 71 ft 11 in to 75 ft 6 in. Allowed for 9 more pax from 47 to 56. 36 built.
Series 400, side loading variant of series 200 for Royal Malaysian Air Force use. 8 built.
Un-built variants, just for interesting reading;
Series 300, modified variant to meet US specifications for airworthiness.
Series 500, more powerful series 400.
Series 600, 5ft fuselage increase to seat 64-68 passengers in a high density configuration. More powerful engines.
Series 700, similar to the 600 but without the fuselage lengthening instead having an increased range. 10 ordered by VASP but never built.
HPR-8, a planned car ferry variant for silver City Airways, designed to carry 6 cars or 100 passengers. It would have had a new un-pressurised fuselage with clam-shell front doors. Cancelled in favour of the Aviation Traders Carvair.
HP.124, proposed transport for RAF with rear loading door.
HP.125, proposed V/STOL transport based on HP.124, with 18 Rolls-Royce RB162 lift-jets in underwing pods. (Like that C-130 variant lol).
HP.127, proposed jet powered variant with a stretched fuselage for up to 70 passengers, with 2 Rolls Royce Spey engines.
HP.129, small 30 passenger variant of the HP.127.
HP.131, Belgian variant of HP.124.
HP.132, another jet option, this time with GE CF 700’s.
HP.133, As HP.132 but with CF700s in retractable nacelles
.
Optional: Links or references
Handley Page Dart Herald - WikipediaThis project was initially developed in the 1950s as a replacement for the DC-3, however, due to design changes and the usual British style of great ideas but long time putting them into action, the type was outdated and appeared at a time when the F-27 and HS-748 were mopping up the small regional turboprop market leading to this type being a commercial failure with only 50 sold. It led to the downfall of Handley Page, a company known for the Halifax and Hampden bombers, a real sad loss.
Some photos,
